Naked Babies

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Babyhood is primetime for sensory integration, especially when it comes to the skin. Letting a baby discover her body and environment through her bare skin is a great way to support this learning. Movement Research shows that clothing, like too-tight pants, can restrict babies’ movement. Choosing development-friendly garb is one way to ensure that your little one has a full range of motion. Going without clothes altogether takes this to the next level, removing all clothing-related restrictions. What’s Better, Diaper On or Off? On the flip side, you also need to respect your children when they no longer want to be naked in front of you.

Letting babies discover their bodies and environment through their bare skin supports sensory integration —the ability to understand the information we take in through our senses. While some parents may choose to start covering up when that happens — especially when the child in question isn’t the same sex as you — you can also use this as a teaching moment and defuse the situation with a matter-of-fact, anatomically correct comment. I think it’s important for her to learn ASAP that there is never a reason for an adult man to not have clothes on around her,” she says. “We just don’t feel like there can be any exceptions.” Moms of boys can also want to pave the way for a new generation of men who see women as real people, not pinups on a pedestal. The bottom line: There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to parental nudity, but whatever you decide will involve some degree of boundary setting.As with all things parenting-related, just when you think you have something sorted out, it changes. Then, as kids get older, boundaries aren’t always their forte. Says mom-of-two Brigette, “They keep barging into the bathroom, so why not?” Con: You’re going to get awkward comments, questions, and stares

Bartell suggests simply wearing underwear when in front of your kids, or even getting the message across by wearing a bathing suit without a big T-shirt over it: “Then your child can still see you’re embracing your body.” If you’re very clear what the boundaries are, then that child has no question whatsoever,” she explains, adding that kids don’t have the cognitive ability to understand nuance. “It is never OK to see an adult man naked — that is clear for that child.” Casual nudity may be fine and good when your little ones are little, but at some point, you might notice a difference in their comfort level — and yours. Regardless, it boils down to this: Listen to your kids, even when they’re not explicitly verbalizing something.When kids are very young, the consensus seems to be yes, since babies and toddlers are generally oblivious to nudity.

Two babies later, my body is not what my daughter sees in magazines and billboards,” says Haley, a mom of two from New York City. For example, there’s never a reason to poke and prod a parent’s privates. And at some point, it’s a good idea to have rules about not barging into a bedroom or bathroom. Respect the needs and sensibilities of your child,” Huebner advises. “You want them to see that they have a right to choose what feels OK and what doesn’t when it comes to their own bodies.” Both Huebner and Bartell agree that you need to start paying attention to this issue as early as age 5 but that it’s generally a good idea to set some boundaries by 10, at the latest.Even the most private of private parts serve a biological function and shouldn’t come with feelings of shame attached to them. This can particularly help as children hit puberty. I think it’s important that she grows up seeing what normal actually is. Equally important, I want her to grow up seeing her mom being OK with what normal is.” Some pediatricians and pediatric dermatologists recommend fully-naked play as a way to heal or prevent diaper rash. And when it comes to potty-training, certain methods advise letting your toddler run around bare-bottomed, arguing that the uncomfortable sensation of urine on her bare legs will motivate her to get to the toilet.