18mo DD exploring genitals: how to respond?

[treehugga]

I realise it's (probably) totally normal, but all I can hear in my head is my mother's voice saying 'don't touch'! Instead I try to respond just by saying 'yes, that's your XX' (I mean I don't call it her XX, I just don't want to get diverted by that thread), same as I would say 'yes that's your tummy button/nose/toes' etc. But actually I feel a bit embarrassed and would like to know what other mums have said. BTW it definitely looks like she's enjoying it, but I don't feel quite OK saying 'go for it!'.

just ignore it, its normal, natual exploration of bod.

and if theres pleasure and comfort in it, its fine.

babies do these things!

Why do you need to say anything to her? DS wasn't a big fiddler of his bits but if he did it in private I never said anything, if he did it when in company I just removed his hand.

As Kewcumber says - the only thing you might need to gently impress on your DD as she gets a little older is that this is something we only do in private. SHe probably is enjoying it, and there is nothing wrong with that, many small children do.

Thanks for thoughts. Kewc, the only reason I want to say something is because she is learning to talk and we generally discuss (or I comment on) a lot that she does, especially learning parts of her body. But I guess the main point is that it's probably my embarrassment I need to get over. I do think it's normal and fine, but needed a bit of a pointer in terms of reacting appropriately.

Yeah it is normal and fine, just treat it like anything else, sometimes respond and sometimes don't, just like you would with her nose or something.

It is just a new body part to explore, really not a big deal at all - you don't have to say anything.

Yeah it's fine - be grateful my DS discovered his bits at 6 months and has been - ahem - exploring them ever since

You only need to respond a couple of times to help them identify that part of their body as you would with their ears or tummy - after that ignore it.