My baby doesn't like being held

[quinntanyad]

I know it is just her personality, and I know my baby loves me because when I put her down on a play mat or bouncer and talk to her she smiles and giggles... but it is still difficult sometimes. She will let me hold her to feed her (though she can be VERY squirmy sometimes), and I can hold her for a bit, but then she fusses and wiggles... and I put her down and she's happy again. It makes me sad sometimes that she doesn't want to cuddle... I thought all babies loved being held and cuddled. I hope someday she might like cuddling...

 

[FaithPrevails]

Awww...that is hard. My firstborn was and is still very cuddly/snuggly. My middle child was more like you describe your DD. As he has gotten older (6 now), he has become more affectionate, but he's not super cuddly. He does tolerate my snuggles now, though.

Some babies are just more physically active and like to be "on the move". My middle DS was diagnosed with ADHD at 4 yrs old, so that might have affected his desire for cuddling b/c it required him staying still which is still difficult for him. lol

 

[quinntanyad]

I keep trying to be positive about the way she is. She probably will be physically healthy as she grows since she seems to be so active. I also notice she has a good attention span... so I don't think she will have ADHD (She likes to sit in her bouncer and listen/watch while I read books to her). She is independent, that's for sure! I'm thinking maybe she will be a really good leader. Really, she's more like her daddy... hehehe... independent, very intelligent, and a great leader. I'm pretty much opposite of that... but maybe that will just mean that we will get along really well as she gets older (like my husband and I).

And maybe... if I do end up having another child... the next one might be cuddly...

 

[FaithPrevails]

I didn't mean to suggest your DD might have ADHD - sorry if it came across that way. Yes, some babies are just more independent. My DD is semi-independent. She wants to be down and doing her own thing (9 months), but someone HAS to be nearby enough that she can see you. If I walk out of the room momentarily to put something away, she starts fussing then stops as soon as I come back.

 

[PegasusOnFire]

My now 6 year old DD was not a very cuddly baby, but now is very affectionate. She is also a very independent, intelligent, stubborn kid, LOL. But I love her. My DD2&3 are cuddlers and love being held and are content that way. DD1 just has to be on the move, she explores everything and needs to know how everything works. Her kindy teacher has no idea how to teach her because of this.

 

[quinntanyad]

It's great to know that some uncuddly babies sometimes become cuddly when they get older

I think my daughter likes to show her love by talking and laughing and being silly... this is what she does when we play together (and she does seems to "talk" to me the most out of everyone in the family...)

 

[Diane_Windsor]

Congrats on the recent arrival

She sounds a lot like me when I was a baby My grandmother wrote in my baby book that when she tried to hold me I "would stiffin up straight as a board". Apparantly I only liked being held by my mother

When I was twelve I was diagnosed as having ADD, which is probably the reason. I'm still not too "touchy-feely" to this day.

 

[ImperialPhantom]

I know it is just her personality, and I know my baby loves me because when I put her down on a play mat or bouncer and talk to her she smiles and giggles... but it is still difficult sometimes. She will let me hold her to feed her (though she can be VERY squirmy sometimes), and I can hold her for a bit, but then she fusses and wiggles... and I put her down and she's happy again. It makes me sad sometimes that she doesn't want to cuddle... I thought all babies loved being held and cuddled. I hope someday she might like cuddling...

Dunno how old your kid is, but as their curiousity and especially their mobility develops, they definitely become more and more squirmy. My daughter is 6 months old and crawling already, and she rarely likes to be held for extended periods unless she's tired and ready to sleep, or she's hungry and ready to eat. The world is just too interesting and there are too many new things for her to discover!

 

[quinntanyad]

Oh! Wow! I haven't been on here in forever!!! Things seem to had gotten really busy... my daughter is now 7 months She is still not very cuddly, but we do have lots of fun now... she laughs a lot, and babbles like crazy! I think she's going to be a little chatterbox. I find that she sometimes likes to be held when a tooth is about to cut through (she has 6 now)... but for the most part she like to play, play, play!!!

 

[Catherineanne]

I thought all babies loved being held and cuddled. I hope someday she might like cuddling...

All babies are different. Some like to be held, some don't.

Well done for recognising your baby as an individual, and taking her wishes into account. Not all parents have the sense to do that. Imo, that makes you a superb mum!

 

[Catherineanne]

Oh! Wow! I haven't been on here in forever!!! Things seem to had gotten really busy... my daughter is now 7 months She is still not very cuddly, but we do have lots of fun now... she laughs a lot, and babbles like crazy! I think she's going to be a little chatterbox. I find that she sometimes likes to be held when a tooth is about to cut through (she has 6 now)... but for the most part she like to play, play, play!!!

That is just so lovely! Make the most of every moment; they pass so quickly.

My d is 18 now, and leaving for uni in two months' time. It seems only days since she was that small.

 

[cutie76]

my 2nd child was like that as a baby...I BF her and once she was done, she was ready to go to sleep in her crib, alone

I chalked it up to the fact that she gets enough cuddle time when I nurse her and is secure with some alone time

she did not cry much as a baby, I was truly blessed with her

 

[ImperialPhantom]

DD's now 11 months old, and still doesn't cuddle much. She'll cuddle with her mommy but I can't remember the last time she cuddled with me (she wants me to hold her behind the knees so she can bounce up and down instead). When she cries, she doesn't wanna be hugged, either - she wants you to hold her away from you and watch her cry (LOL). Kid cracks me up. She's got a LOT of personality.

 

[Lime Flower]

My sixth child was like that as a baby. It's hard, yes. She's now two and a half and runs to me because she trusts me, so that's good.

 

[LovintheLord74]

6 kids! wow. I have three and thats alot of work, couldnt imagine! although if I could afford it I would, love kids!

They all have different personalities, its what makes them special. Independence is a good quality to have!

 

[cakebakingmama]

My ODD really did not like being held. I nursed her for 17 wonderful months but even when nursing she did not want to be held to tight or too close. She was always squirming. Now at 4 she is one of the most huggy, kissy loving children I have ever seen perhaps it will just come with time

 

[BlissMommy]

My middle daughter was like this and it did hurt my feelings a little bit, but she is one of my more independent children. She does like to spend more time with me nowadays, she is 11 now. It'll get better, hon!

 

[Leggomyegolas]

My 12 week old daughter is the same way. She has very little patience for being held if I'm holding her while sitting. If I'm holding her while standing up and/or walking around, she loves it. As soon as I sit back down though, she squirms and tries to get away. I don't get it, and maybe she could tell me what her deal is if she could talk yet.