Naked Babies

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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. 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.”

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.” 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.” While Bartell believes it’s always OK for children to be naked around their same-sex parents, she says a different dynamic eventually develops with mothers/sons and fathers/daughters. Pro: You can teach the difference between nudity and sexualityWhen kids are very young, the consensus seems to be yes, since babies and toddlers are generally oblivious to nudity. We’ve already touted the benefits of being barefoot. Now let’s talk about ditching your baby’s clothes, too! 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.

Haley, for example, feels very differently about her husband’s nudity, and he’s never been fully undressed in front of their daughter. Huebner says the issue is mainly about children starting to view genitals as explicitly sexual organs. 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 your baby (especially after the dark coziness of the womb) the world is a wild place. She must learn about her body and how to function amidst different lights, sounds, smells, tastes, temperatures, and textures. As adults, we move through this stimulating world barely noticing these things (unless of course we’re at Disney World). In short, we are sensitized. 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.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. 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? After all, if you have a baby or toddler, it’s next to impossible to go to the bathroom or take a shower alone… unless you enjoy endless screaming or worrying whether they’re going to hurt themselves (or destroy the house). Regardless, it boils down to this: Listen to your kids, even when they’re not explicitly verbalizing something. 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 acceptance

On the flip side, you also need to respect your children when they no longer want to be naked in front of you. 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. 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.”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: It led to some interesting discussions, but she also didn’t freak out when she started growing pubic hair because she knew it was normal.” Con: Boundaries can get blurred