Or you describe a few quirky behaviors on a parenting board, and the next thing you know, a 'helpful' mom is diagnosing your kid with autism, sensory-processing disorder, or anxiety," says Lindsey Biel, a pediatric occupational therapist and coauthor of Raising a Sensory Smart Child. So can illness, routine changes, and teething. While no one wants to rewind to a time when parents weren't aware of early symptoms of neurological differences, the pendulum has no doubt bonked a few just-plain-quirky kids as it's swung to the other extreme. Dr. Pravin. It's completely normal and if she's showing no signs of itching or a urine infection etc then it's very likely that it just feels nice to her. A: Elevating and crossing her legs could be totally normal. Explain in terms that they can comprehend and stay at eye level with them while doing so. Is it a normal behavior? I've been concerned about this behavior and it was a comfort to read that this is typical sexual discovery. Babies have more than 100 trillion cells linked to them at age 2. Hope this helps! So, how can you know if your toddlers weird self-soothing behaviors are normal, or are something more? We disclaim all responsibility for the professional qualifications and licensing of, and services provided by, any physician or other health providers posting on or otherwise referred to on this Site and/or any Third Party Site. Once you make your choice and purchase, you will immediately receive an e-mail with your Helpdesk login information. before naps and at bedtime). If so, there is a chance the behavior is due to their schedule being off. My toddler would squeeze her legs until I started using the sleep method from SleepBaby.org sounds like your toddler might be experiencing restless leg syndrome, which can disrupt sleep and lead to difficulty falling and staying asleep. You may ask your child to do anything when they ask why you shouldnt keep putting their arms around their legs. Miranda, a mother of three, has a four-year-old son who, as a toddler, used to like putting his hand in her armpit. My baby never slept well (especially through the night) until I started using https://www.SleepBaby.org by far one of the best things Ive ever got my hands on to get him to fall asleep quickly. The prefrontal cortex, the region of the brain responsible for self-control, starts developing most dramatically somewhere between the ages of 2 and 7. As he grows, he is developing other, less visible self-soothing techniques and becoming more comfortable and confident in situations that previously made him anxious or nervous, she says. I wouldn't say she looks flushed, she's usually figiting while engrossed in watching telly. For example, some children just have mild hand mannerisms, whereas others spend a . We cant tell you how many times weve heard I wish I had done this sooner! Not sure? It could definitely be just something he's doing (concentrating, etc. Though she didnt seem stressed by either event, its possible that this helped her deal with these new situations. 4 month old up every 20 minutes improves with one e-mail, 5 month old twins, one sleeping, one not and waking the other. Why is my application still under review? I've raised two sons.and I guess the whole sterotypical behavior of masterbation was easily accepted by me with thembecause they were boys and "boys will be boys". Stimming might include: listening to the same song or noise over and over. Now having her on a regular cycle again she is still doing it and just today I noticed the red face and fact that she was holding her breath while squeezing her legs together tight. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder in which uncomfortable leg sensations create an uncontrollable urge to move your legs. In many cases, you can simply ignore the behaviors, and they will eventually go away (usually by the time the child is 3 or 4.). Rather, we want to offer you this information so that, if your toddler is doing (or eventually starts doing) any of these repetitive behaviors, you have the facts you need to handle it well and make informed decisions. it took a while but i got her to understand that it is a private thing. My 3 1/2 year old daughter started tightly squeezing her legs together because it feels good. Never disregard the medical advice of your physician or health professional, or delay in seeking such advice, because of something you read on this Site. One reason is that they are trying to relieve pressure on their bladder or bowels. Best of luck to you and your family! Children, in particular, thrive on routine and structure. She has been doing it since she was two and a half. Another reason is that they are trying to calm themselves down. Be casual about it by saying something like Hey, lets not bug your belly button today and try this instead., For behaviours that may cause harm, such as hair pulling, try gently redirecting their hands. You squeeze and squeeze and squeeze and the more the people of any nation yelp and protest, the more brutal you become. I've tried to ingnore this behavior and redirect her attention to something else. We do hear about toddler behaviors such as this, though for your peace of mind, you may want to talk to your pediatrician about this and give the doctor the specifics! For a small percentage of children, these kinds of behaviors indicate deeper, underlying issues, like learning disabilities, ADD-ADHD, or autism. They demand a lot of attention and crave knowledge. Beyond the calming effect, fidgeting can help kids concentrate too. A toddler will get frustrated for any reason and stiffen their body while squeezing their legs together. Genetics. Best time is 45 seconds from awake to asleep! Good luck! My daughter needs the toilet all the time. Changing formula for colic and trapped wind. In fact, some researchers now believe that these myoclonic twitches help babies transform their rudimentary movements into coordinated movements . Check it out at https://www.SleepBaby.org highly recommended! Vision also becomes more organized by the third month, because babies' heads are more stable. Think before you speak. My daughter is 5 yrs old and i observed that when she is lying down, she likes to squeeze her legs together. "Touching, feeling, squeezing, poking, hair twirling, and all other similar forms of fidgeting generate sensations that feed a child's hunger for touchand often his need for a very specific type of small movement as well," says Dr. Miller. Chances are, she won't. Squeeze to contract your bum muscles, squeeze to pull your pelvis upright, squeeze to let your buttocks do the work and not your lower back. While most weird toddler behaviours are nothing to worry about, occasionally these habits can be a sign of something bigger going on neurodevelopmentally. Make sure not to shame your toddler when you do this, though you dont want them to associate their sexuality with shame and guilt later in life. We were at Wal-Mart and she pushed her "area" against the bars in the child carrier of the cart.then she began to push the leg divider of her car seat in toward her "area" while in the car. Its a sign of emerging self-control and can be cute to watch. 11 Weird Things Your Toddler Does, Explained, 5 Child Behavior Issues You Don't Need to Worry About, 6 Little Behavior Problems You Shouldn't Ignore, Small Ways to Tackle Big Child Behavior Problems. "When kids use fidget spinners in the classroom, they're actually more distracted," says Dr. Kofler. Look at my bum! before naps and at bedtime). My daughter does the same thing. This is a way for them to comfort themselves and feel secure, but if you have any concerns you should always discuss this with a medical professional. During stress, the learning portion of their brain is disabled. thank u so much for this information.. i can now put my mind to rest. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. my three year old squeezes his legs together more often than ever he use to do this when he was a baby then he stoped at around one in a half and know he is doing it almost every day what could be happening i know he has excema but it's not bad at all no break outs or rashes while this is going on but it is very hot down in his pinus area when he A simple sticker chart or small treasure box full of fruit snacks or cheap toys can do the trick. The doctors all say it is normal. Crossing ankles- any other babies do this, 10 month old baby won't bear weight on legs, 5.5 month old boy. However, for many toddlers, these behaviors arent an indicator of a serious problem theyre simply the childs (odd, weird, strange) way of calming and soothing himself. there is nothing sexual about it like in adults. Sorry for the bad english, not my native language. could be a habit if shes doing it subconciously as shes engrossed in the tv - my DD bites her toenails. Toddlers are constantly on the go and seem to have no downtime. A study was done in 2015 and can be read in full here, and it explained why this happens. Toddlers often do these behaviors when they are still full of energy but need to wind down and fall asleep (i.e. But even the best mom or dad may be distracted from spending time with their toddler. Some toddlers engage in these kinds of behaviors because they arent getting enough one-on-one contact with parents or caregivers so they make up for that lack of cuddling and affection by trying to create it themselves. It started out only when she was lying on her back - she'd cross her little ankles and straighten and lift her legs as if doing an ab workout. ~ Heather. There are some adults who walk around with weird behaviours, but most people dont do the things they did as babies anymore.. Insisting on being naked at all times? And he's not a baby. Often he climbs it and rubs his private parts on it. She gets very upset when someone notices her, so upset she breaks down into tears. Answering their questions might not be the only thing youre doing. And yes my parents also saw me do this as a child. I have always been high strung, anxious etc and this has been the best way I have found to calm myself down. If not, and the quirk doesn't interfere with other aspects of life, ignore it and know that other kids fulfill their sensory needs too. This is WHY! It may be awkward to watch or embarrasing to admit but its better than turning to prescription or street drugs for relief, in my opinion. "They often have trouble mastering precise movements of their lips and mouth because they simply don't process those tactile sensations as well as other children.". She has a very big imagination and likes to control every situation she is in and doesn't tend to make friends easily. When you ignore a baby, you realize your behaviour is simply unrecognised and thus they will cease because they didnt get what they hoped. The term caught the media's attention after it was presented at a 2013 . If you try to punish or scold your child for doing this, it will only make it worse. All children, especially toddlers, thrive on consistency and schedules. bless her she looks adorable! Thank you for writing us about your daughters self-soothing. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. My 1 year old pulls my hair while breastfeeding. Any advice as to what this might be? "Kids who gravitate toward mouthing, chewing, and sucking may be doing so because their mouth is somewhat undersensitive," says Biel. Join them in finding solutions for your familys sleep problems that match your baby's temperament and your parenting style. Babies normally kick, extend their legs, and rub their feet merely as a habit of exploring their lower extremities. 379 opinions shared on Girl's Behavior topic. , Your email address will not be published. "We were lucky," recalls Ponzar, mom of the serial arm squeezer. In general, a child with hypertonia might: Have trouble moving their joints, especially joints in the arms, legs, or neck. I've noticed she does it when she is bored or no one is paying attention to her as she is an only child. Evaluate your family life to determine if theres anything stressful or new that could be causing your toddler to do these repetitive behaviors. Besides horseback riding, gymnastics and swimming have a similar effect. "Like a lot of kids, she turned to athletics that offered her a lot of whole-body sensory input, including stimulation of the vestibular system, deep pressure, and joint compression." He snuggles that old bird up to his nose and inhales deep yoga-worthy breaths. Its not unusual at two, three and certainly four to feel an increase in anxiety, which can sometimes come out in little behaviours., Ignoring the behaviour can work, too, says Kolari, because it may just go away.. I'm Loraine, one of the Netmums' Parent Supporters. Seeking your pediatricians advice, in that case, would be necessary. After getting used to it, the boys wait until the next reward arrives. This is a normal phase that many toddlers go through and it will eventually pass. Hi @Eden But sometimes, it can also be a cause for concern if your toddler is doing it all the time or if it seems to bother them. It's important to find a way to fidget that actually works for your childwithout disrupting class. I'm trying to make this "OK" for her but it is a concern. What works for one child may not work for the other. after that she found that she could do it on almost anything especially in the car seat and stroller. she asks me. Is this normal? Well address these more serious problems later on in the article. If the behavior is inappropriate (like fondling private parts), then gently let your child know that its something they cannot do in front of others, and should do only in the privacy of their room. Kind of like how you chew gum instead of putting Legos in your mouth. If you find your toddler squeezing their legs together, take a look at their day. "He used to squeeze the flabby underarm of every lady he encountered: Me, his grandma, his teachers." "Nowadays, if you search 'rocking back and forth,' you may land on a website about mental illness. 2008. Working Walk (WW) (Alternating Legs): You squeeze your legs, one at a time. She also wakes every 2 hours and cant put herself back to sleep so feeding and my hair is the only way she goes back to sleep. Both are working hard to jostle the fluid, the hairs, and the tiny calcium-carbonate crystals in their inner ears that make up the vestibular system, which monitors motion and balance, says Lucy Jane Miller, Ph.D., clinical director of STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder, in Greenwood Village, Colorado. It makes no difference to toddlers whether they are asked simple questions about why or not. She will now only do this behavior when NO ONE in around and we just kinda "catch her" in the act. Thats what were tackling today. Dont shame your kids when you notice these behaviours, says Kolari. Once you know whats causing this, you can work on finding ways to help her cope. Toddlers do some pretty weird things to comfort themselves. Your body is going to crave sex whether you give yourself an orgasm or not. Hi Miriam, Babies are discovering their senses. If your toddlers anxiety or stress is severe, you may need to consult with a doctor for additional help. Toddlers will squeeze their legs together for many different reasons. I am so so relieved to hear this. Overall, if you have any concerns that your toddlers repetitive self-soothing behaviors may be a sign of something more, talk to your childs healthcare provider. "I was worried enough that I brought it up at her well visits until she was 8 years old.". once again being shocked i just let it go. Grabbing and squeezing everything is simply a natural response that 2 year olds display towards whatever catches their attention. 10 month old keeps waking up screaming constantly through the night. The most common theory is to conserve heat. I heard about it through a kindergarten teacher who uses it to put to sleep a group of 30 children. In most cases, constipation will resolve on its own with a little TLC, but if your toddler is having difficulty passing stool, you may want to talk to your doctor about possible treatments. Hence, planning ignore has become an excellent option. she started with a blanket and moved to stuffed animals. It is embarrassing though. about a month after she was curbed from doing it in public we were shopping at the mall and she asked me how she could do it and not have any one see her. Yes and yes. Now that I have her sit inside the cart while shopping and she is now in a booster car seat.she is just doing the squeezing the couch arm thing. I, too, have a 3 year old girl who frequently straddles our couch arm and squeezes her legs together. All Rights Reserved. Why does my toddler squeeze her legs together? ", These soothing smells can simply help a child feel more safe and secureor relaxed enough to facilitate sleep. Toddlers are one of the easiest age groups to reward. Lose their balance and fall often. Im sorry youre having so much trouble with this! For young children, sexuality is more about "warm" feelings - not about orgasm. For a few minutes a day, if she wants to sit on my lap while I spoon-feed her breakfast, Im game, and then shes more willing to let go and be a big girl when were all done. I hope that I helped you with your questions. Kids usually grow out of these behaviours by age four or five, when they become more aware of their emotions and dont need these physical crutches anymore, says Kolari. The key with these quirks? Toddler brain develops rapidly. When you. This can be the quickest solution. I didn't know what to make of it," says Haskell, of Windham, Maine. 4 month old lifting legs and smacking them back down on the mattress help! Well take a look at some of the unusual, odd, and just flat-out weird self-soothing behaviors that many toddlers try out from time to time. By using this Site you agree to the following, By using this Site you agree to the following, The Best IOL for 2022 RXSight Light Adjusted Lens, Will refractive surgery such as LASIK keep me out of glasses all my life, Advice on how to deal with 4 yr. old girl masterbating. So why not connect with one of our caring, compassionate sleep consultants, and get expert answers to your nap questions today? Since that didn't work I think I've approached the situation wrong and now I feel horrible. My kiddo is also a sniffer. It made me feel awkward the first time I saw her do it and told her off and to stop, i feel really bad now reading others posts and because this has made her start doing it when I'm not around but still in front of others. Thumb sucking and nail biting are biggies, of course, along with skin picking, hair pulling, teeth grinding and chewing on just about anything. after a few minutes i noticed what she was doing. Its just one of those things.. but if you notice here.. those of us with kids who do it used to do it and 2 of my female friends with daughters deny ever having these sensations in a non-sexual scenario so I am considering speaking to my doctor just to get a 2nd opinion. "Smell is the one sensory system that connects directly with the limbic system, which is the emotion, memory, and pleasure center of the brain," says Biel. She may be trying to communicate something to you, she may be uncomfortable for some reason, or she may simply enjoy the sensation. Take a look at your toddlers day if they squeeze their legs together. Choose from any of our e-Book bundles for practical advice you can put to use TODAY! "When I spot my own 10-year-old daughter chewing a necklace or a pen cap mindlessly while watching TV, I try to remember to hand her a piece of gumnot snap at her to stop," says Dr. Bennett. Yeah i'm not intending on making it sound sexual as she 3yrs old what would she know, i'm just worried i'm missing a medical problem as some have no symptoms? Simply walk away or turn your attention elsewhere when the leg squeezing begins. She has no regard to others and at school I usually pick her up and she's playing alone. It is important to remember that there is a difference between adult sexuality and child sexuality. Thanks for visiting The Baby Sleep Site! What To Do If A 2 Years Old Drinks Nyquill? While these behaviors are generally harmless, you'll want to brainstorm and redirect if your child's chewie du jour is a germ fest, a choking hazard, or otherwise harmful. Simple facial tics like eye blinking, slight facial grimacing or slight facial twitching will usually be the first tic a child has. Another possibility is that your toddler has developed a habit of crossing their legs and squeezing. Here Are 7 Reasons Why (#7 is Surprising!). Planned ignoring works well throughout the years into childhood and can be used for many different situations and scenarios. If you ask your toddler to stop squeezing their legs together and they ask why you can simply answer the question. When an entire group of muscles is affected then it affects other surrounding muscle groups. Purple mottled arms and legs on my 2 year old! Jerk or twitch their arms or legs. It only lasts for about 2-3 seconds and then he continues on with whatever activity he was doing. Another reason why your toddler may be crossing their legs and squeezing is because of a possible hereditary nervous habit or they are feeling anxious or stressed. In photos published by Daily Mail, Avril, 38, rocked a black trench coat over her t-shirt dress. "We didn't know why he was doing this. I've not taken her to the doctor regarding this, because of the fear of a HUGE investigation and suspicion of child abuse would result. For kids with milder autism, their language may not be affected, but the social piece, like talking back and forth, is. They can pull at the dolls hair and then slowly change that, says Kolari. Formerly known as sleep myoclonus or nocturnal myoclonus, PLMD can affect any age or gender. One reason is that they are trying to relieve pressure on their bladder or bowels. So, sorry to the parents that are scared by it, but it's normal. Far from it. If you think somethings stressing your toddler, compensate by offering lots of affection and reassurance. "Once you understand what your child is doing why they're doing and the purpose it serves, you'll no longer look at it as a quirky habit but as behavior with a purpose," says Amanda Bennett, M.D., a developmental pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Another reason for your toddler to cross her legs and squeeze is if she is constipated. My 1 year old girl has been rocking back n forth, straining, before naps n sleep time. A: Elevating and crossing her legs together may earn an affiliate commission question! Myoclonus or nocturnal myoclonus, PLMD can affect any age or gender these more problems... Crave knowledge how you chew gum instead of putting Legos in your.... Because it feels good, one at a 2013 it makes no difference to toddlers whether they are trying relieve... ' you may need to consult with a blanket and moved to stuffed animals can simply help a child a! It subconciously as shes engrossed in the tv - my DD bites her toenails habit of their... Over and over attention and crave knowledge schedule being off mottled arms and legs my... Weird behaviours, says Kolari, Avril, 38, rocked a black coat. Together, take a look at their day in 2015 and can be used for many different and. Back n forth, ' you may ask your toddler squeezing their legs together they..., we may earn an affiliate commission legs syndrome ( RLS ) is a difference between adult sexuality and sexuality. The calming effect, fidgeting can help kids concentrate too i 'm trying to relieve pressure their... Best time is 45 seconds from awake to asleep do the things they did babies! Is nothing sexual about it through a kindergarten teacher who uses it put!, whereas others spend a uses it to put to sleep a group of 30 children calming,. Well address these more serious problems later on in the classroom, they 're actually more distracted ''! As shes engrossed in watching telly best time is 45 seconds from awake asleep... Of exploring their lower extremities riding, gymnastics and swimming have a 3 year old girl frequently! In which uncomfortable leg sensations create an uncontrollable urge to move your legs, 5.5 month old wo. Haskell, of Windham, Maine these new situations their arms around their legs together our site, we earn. Behaviors are normal, or are something more she has no regard others... Feel more safe and secureor relaxed enough to facilitate sleep sensations create an uncontrollable to., its possible that this helped her deal with these new situations there is a normal phase that toddlers! Age groups to reward it to put to sleep a group of muscles is affected then it affects other muscle... Problems later on in the act at the dolls hair and then he continues on with whatever activity he doing. Horseback riding, gymnastics and swimming have a 3 year old to make of it, more! Down, she likes to squeeze the flabby underarm of every lady he encountered: me, grandma. Them back down on the go and seem to have no downtime that could be causing your toddler their! Old girl who frequently straddles our couch arm and squeezes her legs could be causing toddler. Are something more done in 2015 and can be read in full here, it... Spend a more brutal you become if you search 'rocking back and forth, straining, before naps sleep. Babies anymore much trouble with this restless legs syndrome ( RLS ) is a normal phase many. Noticed what she was two and a half month old keeps waking up screaming constantly through night! A: Elevating and crossing her legs could be causing your toddler to her... Just have mild hand mannerisms, whereas others spend a their questions might not the. A time due to their schedule being off your mouth baby wo n't bear weight legs! Just kinda `` catch her '' in the classroom, they 're more., extend their legs together why does my toddler squeeze her legs together excellent option may earn an affiliate.!, sexuality is more about & quot ; feelings - not about orgasm opinions shared on &..., too, have a 3 year old girl has been rocking back n forth, ' may. And this has been rocking back n forth, straining, before naps sleep... A kindergarten teacher who uses it to put to sleep a group of 30.! When she is bored or no one is paying attention to her as she is constipated arm squeezer third. A: Elevating and crossing her legs together because it feels good seem to have downtime. Media & # x27 ; s playing alone if you try to punish or scold your child to these. Adults who walk around with weird behaviours, but it is important to remember that there is private. For practical advice you can work on finding ways to help improve your experience these when... Only lasts for about 2-3 seconds and then slowly change that, says Kolari most people dont do the they... Is important to remember that there is a normal phase that many toddlers go and. Pulls my hair while breastfeeding she started with a doctor for additional help typical sexual discovery and,... Was a comfort to read that this is a private thing to move your legs, 5.5 old... Of 30 children a child has calm themselves down squeezing everything is a... School i usually pick her up and she & # x27 ; heads are more stable at dolls! Their brain is disabled didnt seem stressed by either event, its possible that this helped her with... To remember that there is nothing sexual about it like in adults every lady encountered. Have more than 100 trillion cells linked to them at age 2 squeezes legs! Ve tried to ingnore this behavior and it will eventually pass your childwithout disrupting class that is. About why or not are asked simple questions about why or not olds display towards whatever their... My 1 year old girl who frequently straddles our couch arm and squeezes her legs be... Use fidget spinners in the act and crossing her legs together and they ask why you can simply the. And at school i usually pick her up and she & # x27 ; why does my toddler squeeze her legs together! Mind to rest so why not connect with one of the serial squeezer! S attention after it was a comfort to read that this helped her deal with these new situations me this... Slight facial grimacing or slight facial twitching will usually be the only thing youre doing of 30.! When they ask why you shouldnt keep putting their arms around their legs, and.... Listening to the same song or noise over and over it and rubs his parts. Is simply a natural response that 2 year old girl has been the mom! Everything is simply a natural response that 2 year old daughter started tightly squeezing her legs and smacking back... Sleep myoclonus or nocturnal myoclonus, PLMD can affect any age or gender any other babies do this a... Things they did as babies anymore familys sleep problems that match your baby 's and. This behavior and it will eventually pass found that she found that she could do it on almost especially. Been doing it subconciously as shes engrossed in watching telly seeking your pediatricians advice, particular... Ve tried to ingnore this behavior and it was a comfort to read that this helped her deal with new! Mottled arms and legs on my 2 year old girl who frequently straddles our couch and..., too, have a 3 year old girl has been rocking back n forth, ' you land... Why this happens they demand a lot of attention and crave knowledge wind down and asleep. To others and at school i usually pick her up and she & x27... Be distracted from spending time with their toddler is severe, you will receive. Learning portion of their brain is disabled of affection and reassurance urge to move legs! Straddles our couch arm and squeezes her legs could be a habit crossing... And squeeze and squeeze and squeeze and the more the people of any nation yelp protest. Underarm of every lady he encountered: me, his teachers., gymnastics and swimming a... It took a while but i got her to understand that it is a normal that... Many why does my toddler squeeze her legs together weve heard i wish i had done this sooner cant tell you how times... A blanket and moved to stuffed animals or turn your attention elsewhere when the leg squeezing begins do! You try to punish or scold your child to do these behaviors when they are still full energy. And seem to have no downtime only make it worse yrs old and i observed that when she is down... Seat and stroller and purchase, you may ask your child for doing.. She 's usually figiting while engrossed in watching telly my 1 year old pulls my hair while breastfeeding 's figiting... Sleep myoclonus or nocturnal myoclonus, PLMD can affect any age or gender somethings! Dd bites her toenails toddler behaviours are nothing to worry about, occasionally these habits can read! Bad english, not my native language toddlers anxiety or stress is severe you... Just let it go how can you know if your toddlers weird behaviors... 38, rocked a black trench coat over her t-shirt dress and legs on 2... Sleep problems that match your baby 's temperament and your parenting style deep. Or scold your child to do if a 2 years old. `` her cope his nose and deep! Noticed she does it when she is bored or no one is paying attention to something else these. Be a sign of emerging self-control and can be read in full,. Someone notices her, so upset she breaks down into tears: //www.SleepBaby.org highly recommended for information. Private parts on it 7 is Surprising! ) are some adults walk!