Children masturbate, should parents worry or not?

Children sometimes act inappropriately like picking their noses in public, but children masturbating is a completely different story. Finding a child masturbate can make many parents confused and worried. However, please be calm because this is completely natural and normal.

At a toddler age, children learn very quickly and tend to learn about everything around to satisfy their curiosity, including touching their genitals. Literally, this is similar to how children explore their fingers and toes. According to experts, from 2 to 6 years old, the baby already knows how to rub the genital area by hand. Even statistics show that up to a third of children in this age group have learned to masturbate when tinkering their body.

A study at the University of Michigan  (USA) has shown that most children aged 5-6 years play with their genitals quite often. At the age of 15, almost 100% of boys and 25% of girls ever masturbate until they reach orgasm. The National Center for Biotechnology Information also has a study that addresses the issue of children's masturbation that may be related to a drop in estradiol levels rather than by other sex hormones.

So parents should rest assured because the masturbation of children is just a form of body exploration that happens in both sexes. At this age, children are in the process of learning about their own emotions. If they feel like touching their genitals, they can masturbate more often than usual.

However, this is not an act of shame, guilt, corruption or sickness, but a very natural activity. The problem is that children touch their genitals just because they like them but are not aware that this action can make their parents worry and panic.

Masturbation in boys and girls

Masturbation between boys and girls is essentially no different. This is just how children discover their own body. However, you can learn more about masturbation in both sexes as follows:

1. Masturbating in a boy

Boys begin to learn about their genitals when they are only 6-7 months old. You can see this when changing diapers. In boys, masturbation is accompanied by stimulation of the genitals.

2. Masturbating in a girl

Girls usually discover their genitals later at about 10-11 months of age. Masturbation in girls is often not as obvious as boys because it doesn't come with genital stimulation. Sometimes, masturbation in a girl is misdiagnosed as a motor disorder .

When masturbating, both sexes use their hands or another object to rub the genitals. When done, the child usually has no facial expression. Instead, children often have irregular breathing. Remember that it is common for children to masturbate and is not usually sexually related.

How to handle when children masturbate

Perhaps, from the past up to now, the act of masturbation is still listed as perverted and sick. That is why many parents try to prohibit and punish their children seriously when they act like that. However, this inadvertently affects the psychological development, causing anxiety, mental retardation and limited ability to socialize.

Remember, masturbation is completely normal and do not rush to scold or blame your child. Instead, calm down, as masturbation can also be a sign of problems like:

Sexual abuse: Some parents worry that masturbation can be linked to sexual abuse, but this is very rare. However, you should still observe your baby closely if in doubt.

Infection:  When a child scratches his or her genitals, the child may have an infection. Children at this age do not know how to say their pain or discomfort so they will scratch themselves.

If your child does not fall into the above two situations, your child may be experiencing masturbation. You should not scold or tell your child that this behavior is bad because he or she may have false ideas about sex later. For how to handle this situation, you should check out the tips below:

1. Don't panic when you find out that children masturbate

Masturbating by a child about 3 years old can sound a bit scary but completely normal. Remember that masturbation does not harm the physical or health or make children addicted.

2. Don't embarrass your child

You should not embarrass your child just because you want to explore your body. They like to touch your genitals as well. If your child is an adult, explain and advise him / her to choose a suitable place and time to do this privately.

3. Be very careful when talking with your child

It is good to let your child explore the body, but sometimes the child will go too far. At this point, you need to respect your child and talk carefully with them so that they understand their limits. Please choose to speak softly and avoid confusing your child.

Suggestion is that you can buy books related to sex education for children to read. After that, parents should take time during the day to talk to their children and arouse the issues they want to talk about, and do not forget to remind their children of the harms of children masturbating and directing them to their lifestyle habits. healthier.

4. Children who masturbate need to distinguish between normal and abnormal

If your baby starts overstimulating his genitals, he or she may have a number of complications. In girls, too much rubbing can cause inflammation or even lead to a urinary tract infection . In boys, too much stimulation can cause pain. You need early intervention in these cases.

5. Distract child thoughts

When your child masturbate in public, you should not scold, but try to distract your baby by directing him to activities that require using his hands. Some children just masturbate out of boredom and gradually make it a habit. Find some interesting activities that might catch your child's attention.

6. Always consistent in the way of teaching children

The serious mistake that many parents today make is making a fuss, intimidating, prohibiting and treating their child as a "criminal" when they find their children masturbate. However, such a way of teaching children not only does not work but also makes children sink into this behavior even more. According to experts, at this time, children often do not want to open their hearts to their parents, but will try to learn how to masturbate through the internet, friends.

Therefore, it is best to discuss how to handle seeing your child masturbate with their partner or caregiver and agree on a smart, psychological treatment to avoid making the child feel confused when there is too much. different opinions.

7. Children masturbate, parents should consult a doctor

If you notice anything unusual, consult your doctor. Especially when you suspect a child has been sexually abused, someone teaches them to masturbate or masturbate regularly in public.

Child masturbation is not a disease but only a way to help children understand their body better. Calm down so you can teach your child properly without embarrassing them.

Learn more:  Masturbation in children before puberty, what should parents do?

aFamilyToday Health does not offer medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.