Can toddlers be sexually aware?

[blue-eyes]

I have a two year old daughter who is very friendly and outgoing, but she seems more comfortable with women. She'll reach out her arms to a woman over a man most of the time, but there are certain men that she adores. She's gives them "flirty eyes" and will lay her little head down and cuddle with them for several minutes, and she is not a cuddly child. She is always going, going, going. So...I guess that is a non-answer, but is what I've experienced with my little girl.

[BellaDonna]

No one can know for sure what a toddler is thinking, but I am really concerned that this question is even being asked. Why would you want to know? Why would you want to know how a toddler views sexuality (if indeed they do have a viewpoint).

 

The question about development and sexuality has been asked for a long time. As other posters mentioned, Freud was one of the first to talk about it in detail.

 

However, I totally understand where you are coming from. With all due respect to Catdancer, I think to see a thread about sexual awareness in toddlers, in the context of this forum after seeing some other posts like the "Deep Throat Darla" incident is somewhat concerning.

 

It too wonder how healthy it is to project this concept of adult sexual themes on to children.

 

I wouldn't want to have my son grow up being told that he is a child that likes to grab women's breasts. Let him figure it out for himself someday when he gets older. 2 is a little young to be starting with that. Also with little ones in the home it is important to keep any adult-oriented content out of reach. It's another element of child-proofing, like installing cupboard locks and electrical outlet covers.

 

My husband and I do display affection in front of our child- but nothing more than PG-13.

[Catdancer]

lol..Bella. Deep Throat Darla was a fluke. A porno which was just a solid red disc, got mixed in with other plain discs and little fingers likes to grab the whole stack and spread them all over the living room. He could have easily put Sponge Bob in the DVD player, or a music CD. It was really an innocent accident. And all he saw was the title, as I was sitting right there in front of the TV watching him navigate the DVD player. So, he didnt see or hear anything.

 

Now that we have that cleared up, I have no intention of referring to his boob grabbing all his life. I personally believe that it's a natural thing for breastfed and even some non breastfed babies to do. I dont even think of it when he does it to me. He'll go to me, and I'll put him on my hip and he rests his hand or hands depending on how he's being held on my boob. No big deal. Since I started this thread, I've been watching Landon and how he acts with other women. He has no idea. lol He is definitely attracted to the prettier women, but that a standard for babies (and most adults for that matter).

 

He was with his dad and his dad told me that they were watching a "Pink" concert and he said that Landon was really into Pink. What baby wouldnt be? lol She's very pretty. She's moving and dancing and singing, which are all things that attract babies, and there are bright colors, the lights, flashing and going crazy. His dad was laughing that Landon's in love with Pink, and I agree, but not for the same reasons. lol

[dangletsbang]

Yeah, Trey's two nephews were breast fed..they're 3 and 9 months..and they're definitely boob babies which i've noticed is common when I worked at the daycare. Trey's nephews immediately reach for my breasts when i'm holding them..and when his oldest nephew is cuddling/sleeping with me his head on my breasts..and the youngest nephew is constantly trying to figure out how to get me out of my shirt...hahaha.

[Catdancer]

Yeah, Trey's two nephews were breast fed..they're 3 and 9 months..and they're definitely boob babies which i've noticed is common when I worked at the daycare. Trey's nephews immediately reach for my breasts when i'm holding them..and when his oldest nephew is cuddling/sleeping with me his head on my breasts..and the youngest nephew is constantly trying to figure out how to get me out of my shirt...hahaha.

 

By the time Hayden is a month old, you wont even realize he's got both of his hands down your shirt and your boobs are half hanging out. lol I dont even realize it with Landon. And to be honest, I dont think alot of women do realize it. Maybe I should say, alot of women that have had babies or that are used to holding babies.

[FathomFear]

It's hard to say if it's "sexual" per se, or just a curiosity about "the other". When I was very young, according to my mother, I acted similarly. I always wanted to squeeze the boobs of my babysitters or sit next to pretty girls when I was a toddler.

 

Of course, I don't really remember any of that really. And I never ended up developing that way sexually. I don't think I have a heterosexual bone in my body. And trust me, I've tried very hard to find one--lol.

[ran81]

lol, how did the neighbor's sister react when he grabbed her boobs?

 

For a kid that young, there is nothing sexual at all to him. Has more to do with curiosity. Another poster brought up a good point though in that if he receives constantly receives a positive reaction like laughing, he could possibly think its ok.

 

For ex, when I was like 3 or 4, I used to have a fascination for dog's tails...the way they wag when they are happy. For some reason, I used to grab them just out of fascination with our own dogs who were pretty docile and never did anything. However, one day when I did it again, this time the dog barked and growled and nearly bit me. Needless to say, it scared the hell out of my 4 year old self and I never did it again.

 

Thats mainly why I ask what the women's reactions are when he grabs their boobs since he may come accross one who won't be too happy about it. One of my cousins had her boobs grabbed hard by a toddler once at a family gathering and by the look of her face, she was shocked and embarrassed by it and didn't find it funny at all. So I would be a bit careful next time he tries it.

 

BTW, your kid sounds like quite a character. Your posts about him are pretty entertaining to read, lol.

[dancergirl12]

lol, kids can do(and say) the craziest things. Did she laugh it off? At my cousin's house, they routinely have kids over(large family) and I've seen them do and say some funny and crazy things. Toddler age is probably the funniest yet adorable age since they are so innocent. I've seen boobs grabbed, funny questions(one was so fascinated by my friend's legs because she was wearing pantyhose) and even once incident which may be TMI, may be a bit offensive to some, but still innocent.