Toddler Likes To Massage Hands?

[GemMouse]

My 3 year old was breastfed until she was 15 months old. She was then weaned, and then she would want to hold my breast until she fell asleep. I got her off that, and then she wanted to hold my hand until she fell asleep.

She developed a habit of massaging the hand of whoever was putting her to sleep. (ie: her nanny, her gran and her dad) Now I have gotten her off the hand holding, she still massages hands from time to time. She will grab my hand (or her dad's or another loving person) and will grit her teeth and massage the knuckles. If she cries and is upset over something, she immediately seeks out a hand to massage.

Is this weird? Why does she do this?
Thank you guys! I was hoping that it is not an anxiety issue, due to the fact that she has lives between her dad and I for joint custody.
She is seemingly well adjusted and happy, maybe she is just doing it for comfort!

 

[Ally]

When I was a baby, I use to hold my parents ear.. Both of them and at the same time.. Poor people, but that was the only way to put me to bed. I started to go to preschool when I turned 2 and at sleep time I touched my teacher's ear.. I remember doing this till I was 5-6 years old. It felt soft to me and I could be close to my mom or someone who was around. I wouldn't worry about it, maybe try to get her some special toy that she can cuddle and feel safe with. My daughter for change keeps asking to massage and tickle her back or legs when she is tired. I assume, this feels good, so that is why they want us to do it.