In those early days of new parenthood, it's normal to wonder, "Does my baby love me?" Let's be real: Newborns aren't going to give the feedback you might be hoping for after so many sleepless nights. But as you and your baby get acquainted, you'll start to form a special bond, and that can be more meaningful than any big declaration of love.
"Attachment is a process," says Debbie Laible, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. As part of that process, when you take care of your baby, they fall more in love with you every day. And while they may not be verbalizing it, babies do say thanks in their own way.
Here are 13 signs that signify that your baby loves you.
1. They Recognize You
"Within a few weeks, babies can recognize their caregiver and they prefer them to other people," says Alison Gopnik, Ph.D., author of The Philosophical Baby and a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. In part, your infant is just following their nose: One 2021 study in Breastfeeding Medicineshowed that the smell of a baby's own parent's breast milk was so powerful, that it can help reduce pain.
To help with bonding, it can help to pay attention to your baby's different types of cries. Relentless and desperate wails could mean hunger, abrupt crying might signal pain, and plain tears can point to discomfort. You'll figure it out through trial and error, eventually grasping nuances that will baffle outsiders. The better you know your baby's language, the better you can meet their needs.
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"When a baby's distressed and their parents respond, they learn they can count on [their parents] for comfort and relief and that they matter," says Linda Gilkerson, Ph.D., director of the Irving B. Harris Infant Studies Program at Erikson University.
But don't worry if you can't always nail the wail: "You don't have to be perfect," says Dr. Gilkerson. In fact, she says, research published in Child Development shows that caregivers are in perfect sync with their babies only about 50% of the time.
What's more important than being perfect is learning to recognize and respond when your baby needs you. "Your baby learns, 'I can rely on my parent. Even if I cry for a little bit, they get to me soon enough that I don't fall apart,'" Dr. Gilkerson says.
2. They Interact With You
"Within a month or so of being born, babies respond to the facial expressions of their caregiver, and without thinking about it, the caregiver starts doing it right back," says Dr. Gopnik. We're talking about the smiles, the meaningful looks, the looking away and back again. These goofy games and facial expressions are important in cementing a baby's attachment—just as much as your responses to their physical needs are.
At around 4 months, your baby's favorite view is probably your face. And who could blame them? At that age, your baby is becoming accustomed to life on the outside. They can suck and swallow, and they're physiologically more regulated (no longer eating and sleeping like a jet-lagged traveler), so they pay attention to more than their immediate bodily needs, explains Dr. Gilkerson.
So interact and engage with your baby—and don't be afraid to use exaggerated expressions. "Face-to-face interaction is part of how babies learn about positive give-and-take," says Dr. Gilkerson. Your child is realizing that with a single look, they can show you how happy they are that you're around—and that it's a feeling worth sharing since you'll beam back.
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3. They Smile, Even for a Split Second
Speaking of smiling, let's talk baby smiles. You know those people who say that your baby's early smiles are just gas or an involuntary reflex? Don't listen to them. Some research now supports the theory that newborns may be flashing real smiles. In fact, those goofy newborn smiles may be your baby reflecting your own smile. But at the very least, they will be instinctively building a bond with you.
The first true social smiles start brightening your days between 6 and 8 weeks. Your baby may smile when they see your face—or another parent or a big sibling's. They're starting to associate your face with feeling good. The bond deepens!
4. They'll Latch On to a Lovey
Babies often pick a favorite object, like a stuffed animal or a blankie, at around 1 year old. Dr. Gopnik says that these transitional objects symbolize you and your affection, which explains the drama that could ensue if you—heaven forbid!—put it in the wash for an hour. "It represents your love, but in a way your child can control," she says.
Let your child keep their lovey close in situations where they might feel insecure. Don't worry that there's some set time to get rid of it. Chances are they won't be clutching it when they move out on their own (though, let's be honest, many of us still have Mr. Fuzzybear tucked away somewhere).
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5. They Intently Stare at You
Right from birth, a baby can recognize their parent's voice and smell, says Dr. Laible. The next step is linking those sounds and smells with something they can see. That's why they'll start studying your face as if they're trying to memorize it. In a way, they are. They're making sure they know what comfort—and love—look like.
6. They Give You Smooches (Sort Of)
Sometime around 1 year old, babies start giving kisses—and they probably won't be chaste pecks. Expect wet and sloppy ones that land on whatever part of you is closest. This enthusiasm shows they've been paying attention to the way their parent shows affection, and they want to do the same, says Richard Gallagher, Ph.D., director of the Parenting Institute at the NYU Child Study Center in New York City. Babies are eager learners when it comes to physical affection, and there's no one they'd rather practice on than with you.
7. They Hold Up Their Arms
Many babies adore being held from the start, but it takes about 6 months before they have the physical and cognitive abilities to ask for a pick-me-up. It's a body-language expression of how much they've come to trust and adore their parents. And it can be enough, especially on one of those endless days, to make your heart lurch too.
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8. They'll Pull Away, and Then Run Back
You'll start seeing this as soon as your baby crawls. "You're your child's warm, cozy, secure base. But they're also thinking 'Hey, wait! I can crawl! I want to get out there and find out what's in the world!'" Dr. Gopnik explains. So they do—until they get insecure and they want to get back to the comfort of their parents.
Freedom to explore—and then bungee back to a safe place—is the reason behind this action, so let your baby do it. Of course, for many parents, it's harder than it sounds. But instead of hovering, put your energies into some extra babyproofing.
9. They're Bouncing, Wiggling, and Cheering for You
The way your baby acts when they see you after a few hours—or a few minutes? You'd be forgiven for thinking you're a bit of a rock star. This glee isn't just cute; it's a sign of the deep attachment that's grown between you.
On the flip side are your baby's wails of distress when you leave. It's part of their development, and they'll learn that you always come back. They understand object permanence now (you exist even when you're not around), so it's rough for them to know that the object of their affection is out there and not with them to snuggle.
Around this age, babies show big emotions, so whether it's heartbreak that you're gone or earthshaking excitement that you're back, one thing is clear: You are loved.
10. They Imitate You
Whoever said imitation is the sincerest form of flattery must have known a baby or toddler. Whether they're lugging a briefcase down the stairs or cooing over a baby doll, they're definitely showing how cool they think you are. Like all people—adults included!—little ones imitate the activities and behaviors of the people they love most, says Dr. Laible.
11. They Run to You When They're Hurt
The fact that your child turns to you for comfort—and then dries their eyes and runs off—means they love and need you. Of course, you may also notice even minor accidents can make for big drama when a parent is around to see it. Yes, there's a plea for attention there, but it really makes your baby feel better to get proof that you love them as much as they love you.
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12. They Reserve 'Bad' Behavior for You
What parent hasn't heard "They were an angel!" when picking up a toddler from a sitter, then witnessed less than angelic behavior mere minutes later? Toddlers test limits with abandon—but most often with people they love and trust. This isn't exactly the warmest, fuzziest way your child will say they love you, but that's exactly what they're doing.
"You know you've done your job well if your baby can hold it together in public but saves blowups for you," says Elizabeth Short, Ph.D., professor of developmental psychology at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. "Your baby knows that you're safe—they can act up and you'll still love them." You may never welcome a meltdown, but at least you can stop thinking your thrashing, screaming toddler is out to get you.
13. They'll Freak Out When You Leave
Starting around their first birthday, and often continuing until they're 3 years old, your child may get upset when you leave—and rejoice when you return. "Separation anxiety is a sign your child knows that the person they love is different from others, and they're beginning to have object permanence—an understanding that people and things don't disappear the minute they're out of sight," says Dr. Gilkerson.
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In tough moments, offer reassurance. Say "I know you'll miss me, but Ms. Rosie will take great care of you and I'll be back to pick you up." Rest assured that they'll be fine, says Dr. Gopnik, and know that you're teaching them to count on you to come back to them later.
1. They follow your voice. Young babies start to reciprocate the bonding process by turning toward the voices they know (and love) the most. As early as 16 weeks in utero, babies have been listening in on Mom, Dad, siblings and anyone else Mom is around frequently—even the family dog.
Somewhere around 2 months of age, baby will look at you and flash a full-on smile that's guaranteed to make your heart swell. Doctors call that kind of smile a “social smile” and describe it as one that's “either a reaction, or trying to elicit a reaction,” Stavinoha says. In other words, baby is interacting with you!
Bonding and attachment happen when you consistently and warmly respond to your baby's needs for safety, attention and stimulation. Smiling, playing, talking and cuddling are all good ways to bond with your baby. As your baby develops, you'll find new ways to bond.
Babies as young as six months can distinguish between good and bad people, according to a study in which babies observed characters being helpful or unhelpful. Scientists had thought that social judgments developed with language at about 18 months to two years old.
Most babies naturally prefer the parent who's their primary caregiver, the person they count on to meet their most basic and essential needs. This is especially true after 6 months when separation anxiety starts to set in.
In short, yes: Babies do feel love. Even though it will be quite a while before they're able to verbalize their feelings, they can and do understand emotional attachment. Affection, for example can be felt.
First, consider your baby's age. While some babies are able to recognize their names as early as 4 to 6 months, most should reach this point consistently by 7 to 9 months. Second, take note of consistency. Your little one should turn to look at you or vocalize (make noises) when you say their name.
Smiles: Babies who are well nourished and tenderly cared for will grin, smile, and light up for their special caregivers. Appetite: If he feels relaxed and comfortable and plays vigorously with crib or floor toys, your baby will nurse and eat with pleasure. Voice: Happy babies vocalize a lot. They squeal.
As early as three months, babies learn to recognize their parents or primary caregivers. And there staring is their way to communicate. Babies can't quite interact yet for the first few months, so their staring is their way of communicating with you.
They're curious about the world, and everything is new to them. They want to interact with people and be social. Your baby may be staring as an early form of communication between them and the huge world around them.
Babies just want to be near their mothers, so they grab your face to make to maintain touch. This is one of the sweetest reasons. Be sure to reciprocate in kind by cooing, uttering absurdity, grinning back, or simply drawing him into your arms.
Newborn babies do not begin to prefer mother, father or anyone at first. In fact, it usually takes infants until they're about 2 or 3 months old before they start to show a strong preference for mother, father or anyone. While a baby is primed for social interaction soon after birth, its abilities are pretty limited.
Babies with a 'Difficult' temperament (those who eat and sleep irregularly and who reject new experiences) are likely to have insecure-ambivalent attachments. In conclusion, the most complete explanation of why children develop different attachment types would be an interactionist theory.
“Most babies develop a preference for their mother within 2 to 4 months of age. From birth, the combination of sight, smell, and sound likely all help babies distinguish their mother from others.
While a baby's first attachment is usually with their mother, the bonds that babies form with their fathers are just as important. Though babies form attachment relationships with other adults who care for them, the bonds with their parents are the most important ones.
Gentle touch: Babies love and crave touch, as well as your attention. So snuggling with your little one, holding her gently, engaging in skin-to-skin contact, caressing her face, holding her hands, or touching her toes are all beautiful ways to bond.
General satisfaction with life increased in the first months after birth and peaked when the child reached 6 months old. After 6 months, satisfaction with life decreased and reached a low point when the child was 3 years old.
Human infants, just a few days of age, are known to prefer attractive human faces. We examined whether this preference is human-specific. Three- to 4-month-olds preferred attractive over unattractive domestic and wild cat (tiger) faces (Experiments 1 and 3).
While infants vary in their sensitivity, research shows that babies do, indeed, sense and react to their parents' emotional cues. Generally speaking, they're picking up on what you're giving off. Can a baby sense your mood?
A caregiver's facial expression or tone of voice can give a baby a pretty good idea of whether they are sad, angry, or happy. In fact, babies are even capable of having these strong feelings (sadness, anger, stress, and anxiety) themselves from as early as three to five months of age.
And research suggests that babies evaluate people in much the same way, preferring people who like the same foods, clothes, and toys that they like. This preference helps us to form social bonds, but it can also have a dark side.
More than half of the parents quizzed said they preferred their youngest child, while only 26 per cent said that their favourite child was their eldest. 61 per cent of those who favoured the youngest said it was because the elder children are “tricky or demanding”.
Genetics, family, friends and society all influence personality development. You can help your child by adapting your behaviour and requests to her temperament. Physical characteristics come from a combination of several genes.
“Your baby loves to be hugged and loves how you hug your baby. Even though infants cannot speak, they recognize their parents, through various parenting methods, including hugging, after 4 months old, at latest.
Babies form their main attachments to the people who care for them most – especially their parents. Your baby can also form attachments to other people who regularly and lovingly care for your baby and make them feel safe. These people might include your baby's grandparents, paid carers and older children.
Your baby is learning to recognize you through their senses. At birth, they are starting to recognize your voices, faces, and smells to figure out who is taking care of them. Since the maternal voice is audible in utero, an infant starts to recognize their mother's voice from the third trimester.
Fear of strangers starts at 5-6 months and usually becomes more intense at 7-10 months of age. It can last a few months or continue for much longer. It often decreases somewhere between 18 months and 2 years, but it can last longer depending on a child's temperament.
Playing with a mirror is a good time, and it also supports your child's healthy development and learning. It helps develop their visual senses, most obviously. You can also use a mirror during tummy time to keep your baby entertained and give them more time to develop their muscles and physical abilities.
4 months: By about 4 months, she's tracking images with her eyes and will definitely be interested in mirror play, especially if you prop it in front of her during tummy time. 6 months: At this age, your baby can identify familiar faces, respond to emotions (like smiling!) and enjoy gazing at herself in the mirror.
Children learn to talk when parents and caregivers talk to them a lot. You don't need to make a special time for talking. Any and all talking is good for your child. This includes talking while you dress or bath your baby, talking while you play, singing songs and nursery rhymes, and reading.
You should feel at least 10 movements within a 2-hour period. If you can't feel 10 movements in 2 hours despite eating something and fully focusing on the baby's movements, call your doctor for advice on what to do next.
Children's minds are sensitive to what is occurring around them but are not conscious, as they are not yet able to reason or memorise like an adult. The first ideas that enter a baby's head are linked to bodily experiences: hunger, cold, comfort, sleep, etc.
Breastfeeding and bottle-feeding are both natural times for bonding. Infants respond to the smell and touch of their mothers, as well as the responsiveness of the parents to their needs.
A baby's vision develops slowly over their first six to eight months, notes Gritchen, which is one of the reasons why high contrast objects and moving objects like ceiling fans are more likely to attract the baby's attention.
The main reason babies stare is that their brains are developing and growing at an exponential rate. In fact, the more you play with your baby and engage with him/her, the better his/her brain will develop.
It happens as your baby develops a healthy attachment to familiar people – like you. Because babies prefer familiar adults, they might react to strangers by crying or fussing, going very quiet, looking fearful or hiding.
Your baby making eye contact with you is vital in early attachment and bonding. The special relationship you're forming with your baby increases their sense of security and allows their brain to grow and develop on track.
At birth your baby sees only in black and white, and shades of gray. Nerve cells in the brain and retina of the eye are not fully developed. They also have trouble focusing, and are not very light-sensitive yet. Infants' eyes are large compared to their bodies.
Are you wondering, what do babies dream about? Good question, but the answer is… nothing! The “character of the self” hasn't even made an appearance yet!
Contrary to popular myth, it's impossible for parents to hold or respond to a baby too much, child development experts say. Infants need constant attention to give them the foundation to grow emotionally, physically and intellectually.
Young children bite, pinch and pull hair to experiment and explore their environment. Babies put things into their mouths to explore and learn through taste and touch. At 6-12 months, biting, pinching and hair-pulling also help babies work out cause and effect. It's a way of getting to know their world.
In short, yes: Babies do feel love. Even though it will be quite a while before they're able to verbalize their feelings, they can and do understand emotional attachment. Affection, for example can be felt.
Caption: MIT neuroscientists have identified a specific signal that young children and even babies can use to determine whether two people have a strong relationship and a mutual obligation to help each other: whether those two people kiss, share food, or have other interactions that involve sharing saliva.
Most babies naturally prefer the parent who's their primary caregiver, the person they count on to meet their most basic and essential needs. This is especially true after 6 months when separation anxiety starts to set in.
Smiles: Babies who are well nourished and tenderly cared for will grin, smile, and light up for their special caregivers. Appetite: If he feels relaxed and comfortable and plays vigorously with crib or floor toys, your baby will nurse and eat with pleasure. Voice: Happy babies vocalize a lot. They squeal.
Studies have shown that infants as young as one month-old sense when a parent is depressed or angry and are affected by the parent's mood. Understanding that even infants are affected by adult emotions can help parents do their best in supporting their child's healthy development.
Normally babies develop a close attachment bond with their main caregiver (usually their parents) within the first months of life. If they are in a situation where they do not receive normal love and care, they cannot develop this close bond. This may result in a condition called attachment disorder.
When your baby's only a few weeks old, his memories usually last for up to two days. A research investigation confirmed that by the time he reaches 5 months, he can remember photos of faces for as long as 14 days.
Are you wondering, what do babies dream about? Good question, but the answer is… nothing! The “character of the self” hasn't even made an appearance yet!
Bonding is the intense attachment that develops between parents and their baby. It makes parents want to shower their baby with love and affection and to protect and care for their little one.
The period that a baby uses to select a primary attachment figure stretches from 2 to over 12 months, with most infants making up their minds in the period between 3 and 7 months. The baby will focus on the person who is most often there for them when needed and who most often gets it right.
Introduction: My name is Horacio Brakus JD, I am a lively, splendid, jolly, vivacious, vast, cheerful, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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