Babies are tiny little humans and, like bigger humans, that means they like things that feel good: a cuddle, a yummy meal or a soft blanket. So, does touching their own genitals fall into the feel-good category" Well, yes. ?We?re born sexual beings,? says Saleema Noon, a sexual-health educator in Vancouver. ?Babies touch their genitals because it feels good and brings them comfort.?
Sometimes a baby boy tugging on his penis or a baby girl putting her hand to her vulva is just about playing, developing their natural curiosity and exploring their body, much in the same way that they pull on their ear or stare at their feet in fascination. Other times, though, it?s about discovering that putting their hand there just feels right, so it?s a form of self-soothing. ?We don?t have extensive research on infant masturbation, but from the research we do have, we know that it?s common,? says Noon, adding that boys and girls are equally likely to participate. Heck, this kind of ?gratification behaviour? has even been observed in utero via ultrasound.
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How to talk to your kids about sex: An age-by-age guideOften, self-touching will happen during diaper changes and bath time, simply because a diaper isn?t in the way. It?s also totally normal for a baby ...