Naked Babies

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When parents begin to get uncomfortable and when they begin to actively question whether nudity is still OK, that’s a sign that it is no longer feeling OK and parental nudity should be phased out,” says Huebner.

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. 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. Similarly, somewhere between ages 4 and 8, most children begin to develop a sense of modesty about their own bodies and a corresponding discomfort with seeing their parents’ naked bodies.” Just remember never to make them feel bad for asking a question, no matter how mortifying it may be. Pro: You can promote body positivity and acceptanceHuebner says the issue is mainly about children starting to view genitals as explicitly sexual organs. It’s harder for it to resolve itself if they don’t have clear boundaries. If a child isn’t at the point where he’s registering your body, I think [nudity is] fine. The problem is, you don’t know when that’s going to shift.”

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 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.” 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.If you want to give fully-naked play time a go, try it outdoors, or indoors on a large, waterproof mat or a type of floor that’s easy to clean. 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.” When kids are very young, the consensus seems to be yes, since babies and toddlers are generally oblivious to nudity. 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.

I’ve been very open with my daughter, and it helped open the door for questions she might have about her developing body,” says Sue from Massachusetts. 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? Haley, for example, feels very differently about her husband’s nudity, and he’s never been fully undressed in front of their daughter. Nudity between parents and children is fine as long as both are fully comfortable,” says parent coach Dawn Huebner, PhD, author of the self-help book for kids “What to Do When You Worry Too Much.”Whenever it’s warm and safe to do so, consider stripping your baby down to her diaper. If you’re brave you can take that off, too (more on this below). Being naked promotes different areas of her development, including:

And Huebner says parental nudity can certainly achieve that goal: “Casual nudity in front of small children helps them learn to be accepting of bodies — to see that bodies are functional, strong, and normal, regardless of shape or size. As long as nudity is separated from sexuality, there is no disadvantage to a parent being naked around a young child.” Con: You just might feel uncomfortable Regardless, it boils down to this: Listen to your kids, even when they’re not explicitly verbalizing something. While other families may instead opt to talk about body safety in different situations, there’s something to be said for that kind of clarity, says Susan Bartell, PsyD, a New York-based child and parenting psychologist. This is a normal part of development — you just need to be aware and respectful of what your child is trying to express.

The reality”, says Dr. Andrea Hayward, pediatric physical therapist, “is that giving babies opportunities to experience diaper-free moments can enhance the experience of walking, but they still have to figure out how to do it with diapers on.”