21 Month old clenching thighs together when nappy off

[Mommyx3]

My DD has recently started clenching her thighs together during naoto changing.

She went through a phase a few months back of pulling/scratching herself down below during nappy changes as if she was itchy. She could leave herself red if she managed to get a good scratch. After putting cream on it resolved this issue and we’ve had no issues for a while.

However, I’ve noticed this past few weeks that when changing her she has been saying “ouch, it’s hurts my bum” when changing her. This wasn’t every time but it has coincided with an awareness of hurting and the term ouch as she will on a regular basis tell me if her finger, arm, leg etc is sore as she sees older DD do this after a fall or bang.

I didn’t think too much about it as she looked fine down there, no redness or injury. However, I did notice the last week or so when I attempt to pull her legs apart to clean her she stiffness up and clenches her thighs together saying “ouch, it hurts”.

I brought her to the GP who said it wasn’t an infection but perhaps a skin irritation so gave me a cream for her. She lets me but this on fairly easily.

She will let me clean her no problem so long as her legs stay together. However as soon as her nappy or trousers go on she will unclench her thighs and move her legs apart completely normally.

I took her nappy off this evening to give her time with it off as I started to think maybe it was aggravating her and as soon as I removed it she stood with her thighs clenched together and started walking strangley with her thighs together. It freaked me out but when we offered her a biscuit she came running towards us as normal and after a few minutes with the nappy off it was like she forgot about it and was walking normally again.

Has anyone else’s children gone through a phase with this? I’m worried there’s something up but GP isn’t concerned.

My DH thinks it’s a control thing in that she just doesn’t want to have nothing on and it’s just one of those things she’ll grow out of.

When the nappy is on she has no problem with any movements and doesn’t appear to be sore.

Does anyone else have care of her when you're not around?

She started playschool last month for 2 mornings a week and aside from that 99% of the time she’s with me or DH.

The lady at playschool said she refused to let her change her on one occasion this week and she’s never had an issue before with her. She’s also been fine since with no problem since that one occasion. She did say maybe it’s a sign she’s ready for toilet training but I’d doubt this seen as she doesn’t seem to want the nappy off.

I did mention that to my GP too and he seemed unconcerned.

I think it’s just seeing her walk with her legs shut when the nappy came off worry me even more.

But i’m trying to stay as calm as I can as I’d be thinking if she was truly sore she wouldn’t have been able to start walking normally once she seen a biscuit and then forgot all about it.

I wonder if it could be thrush? It doesn't always have visible symptoms like discharge. I'd take her to the GP just to be sure. Have you had her hips checked for dysplacia? When she lies down do her hips move ok? Do they click much?

You're not alone, Mommyx3 :

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/behaviour_development/1175327-2-year-old-DD-clamping-legs-shut-while-nappy-changing

community.babycenter.com/post/a30606769/diaper_changing_girl_issues

@FortunesFave thanks for the thought. I’ve had her at the GP and he thinks it’s either a phase/behavioural thing as she’s in no pain at all when the nappy is on. She’ll let me move her hips and legs apart with no issues so long as she has a nappy on but my biggest concern is that it is an infection/thrush that isn’t getting treatment.

I’ve made more of an effort to leave her nappy off during changing and she’s getting more relaxed in the she’s not clamping her legs while standing/walking for as long as she was.

@jessstan1 I’ve read that so many times now do thinking it’s more common than I think.

Try to give her extra time without a nappy too. I know it's impractical but you can put down some old towels where she's playing.