DD 'squeezing' in the car....

[ditsydoll]

My DD is 3 and ever since she was about 2 has pushed down on her car seat with her bottom as if to rub her front bottom on it (5 point harness)

There is loads of information and threads on boys masturbating but not an awful lot of information on what's normal for girls.

We ask her to stop squeezing in the car and just gently remind her that bums are for private but she won't listen. Everytime I turn round she's red in the face and doing the squeezing thing.

I asked her why she did it and she said it tickled her front bum.

She doesn't really bother with playing any other time just in the car. She has made her bum and top of her legs sore at times obviously from the friction. I don't want to shout at her or reinforce any negativity on the subject but I'm starting to worry its not normal. Any advice?

[brettgirl2]

Get her into a 3 point harness asap??? Sorry not much help but I suspect it's entirely harmless.

[ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs]

My dd did this. we largely ignored it and she grew out of it, although I would sometimes tell her to "sit still". I think it's normal.

[LadyBigtoes]

At least she's happy to sit in the car seat! I always have to struggle/cajole with my DD to get her in! And at least when she's in the car you don't have to look.

I wouldn't worry, if she's really making herself sore, she'll learn not to do it so much I guess. I think it's very normal for both boys and girls to do things like this. Something NO ONE told me before I had DC!

[ditsydoll]

She's only very small and I don't think she would be allowed in a seat belted car seat just yet but I can't wait for when we can lol.
I was just worried that it was a little excessive as its every time were in the car and a little hard to ignore when she's making herself so sore. I suppose I will just have to wait for her to grow out of it.

I suppose if she was a little boy playing with his Willy I wouldn't be so Suprised but I suppose its abit of a taboo subject that no one really discusses with girls.

I have lots of friends who have a good giggle about their boys doing it but never had anyone mention their dd doing it.

[ditsydoll]

Anyone else's Dd do this?

[Skiffle]

This is an expensive solution but the Kiddy GuardianPro carseats don't have a harness, they have an impact cushion instead so there wouldn't be anything for her to rub against. They're also very highly rated for safety.

My DD has never rubbed against her carseat but she did used to spend quite a lot of time with her hands in her knickers. It's just as normal for girls as for boys but as you say, seems more accepted with boys - also boys perhaps have more incentive to fiddle as they've got an entertaining twangy bit that can be pulled around and stretched for amusement as well as pleasure so it seems to be multi-purpose . DD's 4 now and has learnt that it's fine to do it but only on her own in her bedroom.

[evertonmint]

My 2yo DD enjoys a good fiddle while watching the tv :) Not seen her do it on car strap yet but I think exploring their bodies is entirely normal and harmless at this age.

I think the advice to ignore or just say 'sit still' is good. You don't want to make it a 'thing' in her head or make her do it As a way of getting attention on boring car journeys. And she'll be able to move seats soonish - my DS isn't particularly big for his age but he moved up to a 3 point harness just after turning 4.

[ditsydoll]

Thanks for replies. I will just persevere until she is in a 3 point harness with distracting her and not causing too much of an issue. Reassuring to hear its normal.