My 5-month old is generally very engaged with me and demands lots of "face time." Recently, however, he seems to intentionally "avoid" me. He will turn his head from side to side and refuse to make eye contact with me. At the same time, he seems willing to engage anyone else, including my husband, my mom, my sister, even the neighbors! Obviously, I'm not taking this personally, but I wonder if any other moms have experienced anything similar, and if there might be a reason for it?
My daughter used to always do that...I just assumed she was tired of seeing my face all the time and was looking for something new and interesting and exciting. She grew out of it as she got older.
my son, who is now 8 months old, did this to me for several months. he would look and smile at his dad, his grandparents, strangers...but never at me. just had no interest in me at all. unlike you, i did take it personally (even though i know it was silly) - i was heartbroken - convinced that he didn't like me - blah blah. then, all of a sudden, he stopped doing it and now gives me smiles all the time and is very engaged. babies just go in and out of what interests them. your little guy will probably change this behavior as suddenly as he started it.
good luck!
I'm going to assume he probably sees you more than anyone...? I felt like this with my daughter and from what I know, babies are very drawn to faces, particularly new faces. He's probably just very familiar with your face and every other face is new and interesting. Even dad's face if he is often gone. My daughter was always different with others but it's the intrigue and curiosity of a new face from my understanding.
Its because he's secure and bonded with you.... which is good. Its a good thing! :)
He KNOWS you are there for him.
And in his own way, he will "call" for you, his dear Mommy, when he needs you for any comfort, big or small.
He seems like a "secure" baby to me.
Ditto what Riley said as well.
A really great book is: "What To Expect The First Year" which you can find at any bookstore or online like at Amazon.
All the best,
Susan
Hi J., His world is expanding isn't it?! This sounds weird, but check your breath. Maybe you are dieting or drinking more coffee, etc. Just a thought.
most likely he is not doing something personal at 5 months...watch how close you are compared to other people to him. It doesn't sound like autism or sensory because you would see it with everyone.
take care, Deb
Was he recently vaccinated?
God Bless!
J.
Did you recently return to work full time? He may be reacting to the fact that he used to have you around all the time and now you are gone much of the day. Or, have you recently switched from breastfeeding to bottles? Any other major changes to his routine or yours?
Glad you are not taking it personally! I am sure it is just a phase that he will grow out of very quickly. No boy can resist his mommy for long!
Oh sure....super normal. <grinning> In fact, count your lucky stars he's not doing a nana-phase, or a daddy-phase...where the only person they want in the world is someone other than you, frequently at the top of their lungs. Oy.
The best explanation I've ever heard is that they feel safe enough now to start branching out, and that it's actually a sign of good/secure bonding...because they have trust enough in you that they can start to stretch their wings a bit, that you won't "vanish", and that you'll be there when they want you.
Hey J.
I know I'm wayy late on this one but I am a new mommy to a almost 7month old girl. My daughter started doing this to my father about a month ago this came out of no where, before that she'd smile at him even talk to him. Now when he tries to talk to her she'll look at her hands. or turn her head or cry when he talks to her. I really hope she grows out of this.
Thanks for ur post. Thought I was the only one..
check your breath...are u eating anything different? u never know could be something as small as that
Hi J.,
My daughter did this to me too. When I tried to make eye contact with her, she would turn her head. If someone was carrying her, and I would extend my arms to hold her, she would hug the person tight and cry - basically giving me the cold shoulder. She was 9months old. I think the behavior started when I started working, so I attributed it to the change in our routine. Even though, I knew she loved me and no matter what I was still mommy, it still hurt my feelings. I cried over it a couple of times.
My advice, is to hold in tight, it will be over before you know it. Try to make your return special, look for your baby and hug him as soon as you walk in. Give him his kiss before you put your purse down type of thing. I think that helped on my case. Now, most of the time, she runs to give me a hug when I come in, sometimes, I still have to chase her for it. But, I never get rejected.
Hope it helps.
