Humping Toddlers


From Daniel Palestrant, Founder & CEO of Sermo
Nearly 50 physicians on Sermo recently discussed the commonplace occurrence of humping in their pediatric patients. In most cases, this is normal behavior that parents can learn to address with their children. Click below to scroll through the physician comments.

Originally Posted to the Sermo Community
By: A Pediatrician on Sermo

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MD Comments


How do you counsel parents with toddlers who "humps?" Here are 2 recent cases:

2 year old boy living with both parents, only child. Since about 6 months old, he "humps" pillows and other objects mostly before he falls asleep. The humping seems to be soothing to him.  Parents initially thought it was funny and video taped it but stopped showing them after someone commented on it being perverted. I counseled them it appears to be a soothing behavior and to teach him to do it in private. No shaming. He now only does it occasionally in private in his own bed.

3 year old girl with recently separated parents. Living with mom and 5 year old brother. Since she could crawl, she would also hump objects. Again, it appears to be soothing. Mom tried to ignore it. Also tried to encourage girl to do it in private without shaming. Since parents separated, things have gotten worse. She's now undressing herself in public to hump objects. Mom found her naked humping brother's Transformer toy. This one I referred for therapy. There was DV between parents. No physical or sexual abuse per mom. Genital exam and UA were normal.

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