How to Stop Toddlers from Taking Off Their Clothes

Co-authored by Denise Stern

Last Updated: July 2, 2022 References

As the parent of a toddler, you know how surprising, funny, and downright puzzling their behavior can be. Among a multitude of other quirks, you might find that your growing tyke treats the world as a clothing-optional place. If your toddler has become fond of taking off their clothes at inopportune moments, you can address the problem by identifying the cause of the behavior, changing dressing routines and clothing choices, and letting your toddler have designated naked times.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Identifying the Problem

1
Consider if your toddler is ready for potty-training. One of the main reasons why toddlers frequently take off their clothing is that they're wanting to go to the bathroom but don't know how to articulate the urge. In order to figure out if this is the case with your toddler, observe your toddler carefully and see if the undressing behavior is associated with bowel movements or urination.^{[1]
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- If your toddler seems to go to the bathroom almost every time they undress or almost undress, it's probably time to start potty-training.
2
Check to see if your toddler's diaper is soiled. If a toddler has just urinated or defecated in their diaper, the sensation of the scratchy or soggy diaper can be unpleasant. If they have the motor skills to do so, they might try to remove the soiled item rather than continue to suffer its burden.^{[2]
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3
Inspect your child's wardrobe for uncomfortable articles and fabrics. Your child's diligent disrobing might have nothing to do with potty training and everything to do with the clothes themselves. Take note of their specific undressing habits in order to figure out if this is the case. For example, perhaps they always take off a particular sweater or type of fabric, or perhaps they seem averse to pajamas or a certain cut of garment, such as turtlenecks or trousers with big buttons.^{[3]
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- As a general rule, opt for natural materials, such as cotton, rather than synthetics, as these tend to be less scratchy to the skin and more breathable overall.
- Also be sure that you're not over-layering your toddler's clothes. After all, if a child is hot and can't express this discomfort, they'll simply attempt to shed the offending articles.
4
Consider sensory issues. Some toddlers deal with sensory processing issues that make certain types of clothing difficult for them to handle.^{[4]
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Go to source} (Many of them outgrow this later on.) Look for patterns in the clothes they take off. Maybe something is uncomfortable.
- Are any parts too tight or too loose?
- How soft is the fabric? Could it be itchy or scratchy?
- Are the clothes staying in place properly, or do they get twisted or bunched up?
Tip: Just because it might not leave a rash doesn't mean that your toddler isn't sensitive to it. If your toddler reacts badly to a certain piece of clothing, don't make them wear it. Look for soft things like 100% cotton and alpaca fleece.
5
Ask yourself if the behavior could be attention-seeking. If a toddler is feeling ignored and neglected, they might seek to attract your attention by any means possible. In order to find out if your child's undressing behavior is attention-seeking, consider how you tend to react when your toddler does it. If you yell, run after them, or generally display excitement, there's a chance you're playing right into your crafty kiddo's designs.
- Note the time and setting of your child getting undressed. Change your routine to provide your child with more stimulation and activites during this time, if needed.
- Next time it happens, tone down your response so that you don't reward their negative behaviors.^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Denise Stern
  Parenting Specialist
  Expert Interview. 19 February 2021.} Remain as calm as possible and make it clear that you wardrobe malfunctions won't garner any special attention in the future.
6
Evaluate your developing child's motor skills. If your child's undressing behavior has developed only recently and corresponds with newly acquired motor skills, chances are that it's simply the result of experimentation and exercise. Fortunately, they'll get bored with their novel buttoning, zipping, and squirming abilities quickly, so they'll move on to more complex moves and tasks in no time.^{[6]
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- In the meantime, try to keep your child's fidgeting hands and fingers occupied by giving them a doll or stuffed animal to practice their skills.
- A dressing board can give your toddler an alternative to actually undressing to practice their skills. These boards give your child the chance to practice using zippers and buttons without taking off their clothes.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Reacting to Your Child's Behavior

1
Stay calm when your child takes off their clothes. Regardless of why your child is disrobing, it's never a good idea to overreact when the behavior occurs.^{[7]
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Denise Stern
Parenting Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 February 2021.} Not only will such histrionics fail to address the underlying issue, but they can also produce unwanted emotional and behavioral side-effects. Rather, take your child's hand, lead them to the bathroom, and supervise as they put their clothing back on.^{[8]
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- For example, if you laugh or chase the child, they can learn that their misbehavior causes fun scenes and attracts lots of attention. If you reproach the child and act embarrassed, they can get the wrong message and think that bodies are shameful.^{[9]
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2
Provide distractions after putting on clothes. If your child seems particularly prone to taking off their clothes directly after getting dressed in the morning, you might be able to prevent the behavior by distracting them during this crucial interval. Put on a favorite show, start playing with a loud, shiny toy, or pull out a colorful picture book to get your toddler's attention away from their recently donned clothing.^{[10]
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- Distractions are a great strategy to use when you're dealing with misbehavior.^{[11]
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  Expert Source
  
  Denise Stern
  Parenting Specialist
  Expert Interview. 19 February 2021.}
- If distraction doesn't work, try giving your child a bottle, a healthy snack, or a pacifier.
3
Give your toddler a time-out. Most toddlers learn to stop taking off their clothing once they grow up a bit and realize it doesn't result in any positive attention. If your child persists in the behavior, though, you can discourage it more strongly by implementing short time-outs. Take them to another room and have them sit alone for five to ten minutes.^{[12]
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- If your child is refusing to get dressed after disrobing, have the time-out last as long as their refusal does. Make it clear that they can mitigate their punishment by correcting the behavior.
4
Dress your toddler backwards. Many times, a toddler undresses just because they can. In such simple cases, you can prevent the unwanted behavior by making the process more difficult. A measure as simple as putting buttoned shirts and pajamas on backwards can impede their movement to the extent that they either can't remove the offending article, or they become bored or exhausted by the ordeal.
- Additionally, you can switch to cloth diapers with more secure clips, apply duct tape to the diaper, or select clothes with zippers or tiny, tedious buttons.^{[13]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Changing Behavior in the Long Term

1
Permit naked time at designated times. Toddlers often simply enjoy the feeling of being naked, so removing clothing is actually a perfectly natural practice. This means that you don't need to discourage or prohibit this behavior entirely, but should rather allow them to run around naked during allotted periods of time at home.^{[14]
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- Some good times for this relaxation include 30 minutes after bath time or right before naptime.
- Even though your toddler is too young to understand social customs or guidelines of appropriateness, you can make it clear that nakedness is only okay at home through other means. Don't ever allow naked time in the car, outside, or at another person's house, and make getting dressed something clearly associated with leaving the house or seeing people from outside of the family.
2
Let your child make some clothing choices. Your toddler is more likely to want to keep an outfit on if they had a hand in choosing it. When getting dressed in the morning, lay out two or three options of pants and tops and have them point to the one they want to wear. If they have a tried-and-true favorite in their wardrobe, let them wear it as often as you can clean it. You'll improve the chances of a fully clothed day, while also encouraging your child to express themselves through sartorial choices.^{[15]
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- If your toddler needs some new clothes, have them come along with you when shopping. If they see, point to, or otherwise express interest in an item within your budget, purchase it!
3
Give your child a stuffed toy or doll with corresponding clothing. If your toddler enjoys fidgeting with clothing, they're probably fiddling with their own clothes as the easiest and most accessible option. By giving them a doll and some removable clothing for it, you let them act out this interest on a toy instead of on themselves.^{[16]
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- If your toddler seems uninterested by this kind of dress-up, gather up a costume chest so that they can play dress-up with friends or siblings.

Community Q&A

Question

What should I do if a child's nakedness bothers me?

Community Answer

Talk to the child's parents about this, or if you're in charge of the child, ask them to put some clothes on.
Question

How old is too old for a child to run around naked?

Community Answer

It is considered inappropriate from around the ages of about 6-8 years of age. It may depend on where you live, your cultural background, your gender and your family's preferences. Though it is good for uses like potty training and learning about their growing bodies, they will eventually grow out of it through socialization.