Protecting Infants and Toddlers

It was the grandma who noticed. While diapering her 14-month-old granddaughter, she felt a roughened area between the baby's buttocks. The pediatrician said it was too calloused to be diaper rash and concluded it had been caused by chronic rubbing over a long period of time. It turned out, says Ralston, that the teenage boy who babysat the child had been masturbating against her.

Yes, babies get abused. A molester may masturbate against an infant or toddler, stimulate the child for self-gratification, or even attempt penetration. Red flags for possible abuse include abrasions, swelling, and skin tears around the genitals, anus, or mouth. If you notice such an injury, see your doctor immediately.

Ralston urges parents to screen any adult they're considering as a regular caregiver for criminal offenses through local law-enforcement agencies and the FBI. You'll need the person's birth date, social security number, and a list of the counties and states in which she's lived.

After you hire someone, make it clear to her that you're vigilant about your child's safety and then check in unannounced periodically. "If she complains, find somebody else," says Ralston.

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