Hands constantly in her knickers...!

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

That's my 3.4 yo DD.
Very common behaviour in a toddler, I know - most of the time, I tend to ignore it. But it's driving DH nuts and he gets very cross with her, telling her to keep her hands on the table (she's usually worse at meal times) or to wash her hands again etc. etc.

This approach isn't making any difference, however.

Any tips to try and stop her from doing this?

Is she sore or itchy?
Put shorts or trousers on to make it more awkward?

We have this issue going on at the moment (DD is just 4) and I'm a bit worried it will occur at school (and impact socially), so trying to discourage (I could not care less if she does it in private or away from others, her body etc etc). In our case, I think it started with a case of thrush (treated by dr), and is made worse by the fact that DD is very fidgety anyhow, and is use to wearing tights and fidgeting with them, now knickers and within are only choice. She will not wear trousers or leggings willingly (and I refuse to force the issue because she really minds). Currently we are having great success with Boden skorts (skirts with shorts, much harder to get hands in and the shorts part is fun to fidget with so distracting, they are also very cute and generally fab for active girls at the playground etc), and I have gotten some H and M little knicker-shorts to wear under dresses for the same reason. I try not to make any kind of deal about the actual issue (I will say "try not to fidget" or "I don't want to see your knickers honey"), just trying to make it a social practise thing, like learning to sit in a circle and listen to the teacher, etc.
To me, its kind of on par with nail biting, which I also try to discourage with the same type of bribery/making it hard to actually do.

Umm... well DD is 3 and has a penchant for 'humperdinking' (I'm sure you can imagine) in her car seat/when tired/when she can get away with it... Not sure if this is a similar type of thing or if your daughter is just having general pant rearranging issues? Anyway, DP hates it and wanted to tell her she was categorically not allowed/it was dirty etc which I disagreed with. So, we've come to a compromise to encourage her it's something to do in private should the need take you, especially now she's getting older with nursery/school on the horizen. (Lol I can't believe how ridiculous this sounds!! )

My mum taught preschool for years and said it was very common to have them all sat on the carpet and at least one would have their hand in their knickers/pants! She just pretended not to notice I think. Even when it was little girls in dresses/skirts and no knickers!

Make sure she's not itchy or sore down there, and get her checked out if she is. Otherwise like you said, make it harder to get to rather than making it an issue

Thanks for all the thoughts!

No, it doesn't appear to be masturbatory - just faffing, from what I can see. She mostly wears leggings/shorts and certainly, it isn't quite as noticeable as when she's in dresses/pjs/skirts - but she still does it. Her underwear appears to be fairly comfortable and she doesn't look like she's itchy or sore (no obvious redness/discharge or other indicators).

Meanwhile, I'll do what I can to make it more difficult for her and hope that she'll get out of the habit sooner rather than later (for the sake of DH's sanity...!)