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AIBU?

AIBU to want my newborn to stay a newborn? Do you feel the same intense love for your child at every stage?

113 replies

Pinkflipflop · 08/02/2013 19:30

My ds is only 8 days and even though he's my first and it's a steep learning curve, I'm totally in love with my little bundle of cuddles.

I keep looking (and gazing) at him and loving everything about him and just wishing he could stay a newborn for ever!

So many people keep saying to me "pink, enjoy your little baby as they grow up so fast", I know this sounds really bizarre but it makes me feel a little sad when they say this. It's almost as if those days when your child is a tiny baby is the only stage to enjoy.

Does this make any sense?

I'm 33 and previously the least maternal person you could imagine, but I can't believe how my son has made me feel.

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catgirl1976 · 08/02/2013 19:31

DS is 14 months

I know it's impossible to believe but they get better everyday and you love them more

Congratulations on your lovely new baby :)

CloudsAndTrees · 08/02/2013 19:32

It makes perfect sense!

But you will love every change in him just as much, you really will.

Sparklingbrook · 08/02/2013 19:33

I do wish I could go back to those days and be a bit better at it. I was a wreck with DS1. It feels like yesterday that we brought DS1 home in his car seat and just stared at him thinking 'now what'?

DSs are 13 and 11 now and I am proud of them both, and they will always be my babies.

KB02 · 08/02/2013 19:36

congratulations, having a newborn's a gorgeous and joyful time. My little boy is 10 months and I feel the same every day. I have to keep reminding myself to take at least one picture each day and plenty of videos.

Jules666 · 08/02/2013 19:36

Ahh that's so sweet. The feelings don't change as they get older. The love you feel for your baby is the same love you feel for your toddler, then you're pre-schooler, then your boy. It doesn't diminish.

My 2 boys are now 8 & 10 and I still look at them and think how much I love them.

Enjoy this stage but don't worry as there's plenty of other stages to enjoy.

And congrats btw.

Fightlikeagirl · 08/02/2013 19:36

My sons are 8 and 6 and I literally fall in love with them again everyday.
As they grow up there are different challenges but it is so lovely to see their personalities appear and realise they are real people! Amazing!
Congratulations on your baby.

numbum · 08/02/2013 19:37

Mine are 6 and 8 now. I always say 'I wish they could stay at this stage forever', although I have to say that's wearing off a bit now!

I guess if I could choose then we'd go back to them being 4 and 6 when they were both still quite compliant sweet

Enjoy your baby, they grow way too quickly (God I sound like my mother)

Annunziata · 08/02/2013 19:37

Congratulations!

My first baby is 23 soon, and god I love every bit of him and we have so much fun, but there's something so special about a newborn.

KatyTheCleaningLady · 08/02/2013 19:38

It's like they keep getting better and you think "OK. Now you're perfect. Stop growing because it can't get any better than this!"

MolotovCocktail · 08/02/2013 19:39

It's totally normal!

I felt exactly the same as you and was genuinely quite sad when my DD1 outgrew her baby stage. It didn't help that I wanted another baby very soon after she was born and then it took 2 years to conceive DD2.

I have to say that whilst the newborn stage is divine, I currently adore the age of my DD1: she's just 4yo and I've never known such love. She actively gives love; kisses me; cuddles me; shows me that she wants me. Its beyond amazing

I wish someone would have told me how awesome this age is when I was all meloncholic when she was around 18/19/20mo.

Having each girl (DD2 is 10mo) makes me appreciate the other more
... I can't explain it more than that (hope I'm making sense!)

cardibach · 08/02/2013 19:41

My little baby is 17 (years) now. You do have the same strength of feeling for tehm at every stage - it is different, but not in quantity! THey do grow up fast though, and the thought that she will leave home in 18 months is frankly terrifying!

CurlyhairedAssassin · 08/02/2013 19:42

Oh my god, seriously - if you love him this much now you have no idea how much more you will love him when he starts giggling or throwing his arms around you to give you the squeeziest hug ever. Or the first time that he toddles up to you smiling at nursery and proudly showing you his first painting. Or when he recites a line from his first school nativity.

Seriously you have no idea yet but you will just love him so much MORE!!!

When people say about making the most of the baby stage because they grow so fast it had nothing to do with love - they are talking about developmental stages. Ie newborn snuggles are lovely. But they don't last long! Toddler cuddles are equally lovely - that stage is yet to come.

You have nothing to worry about, but you have it all to look forward to.

Theas18 · 08/02/2013 19:42

The love gets stronger as they get bigger.yes even for exasperating teens, and when they are nearly grown ups themselves it's fantastic!

Sparklingbrook · 08/02/2013 19:43

Do enjoy this stage though because Year 9 maths Homework is no fun and neither is standing on the sidelines freezing your butt off watching junior footy every Saturday. They don't tell you that at ante-natal.

elliejjtiny · 08/02/2013 19:43

Congratulations. I thought like that when my DS1 was born. But there are so many lovely stages to come, first smile, crawling, walking, talking. My boys are 6, 4 and 2 now and each stage so far has been amazing.

MamaChocoholic · 08/02/2013 19:44

I loved the newborn days with ds1, hated them with dts. But either way, things get so much more exciting when they're a bit older. You've got first smile, first laugh, first words to look forward to. Ds1 is 5 and so gentle and caring. Ds2 is 2 and has a perfect sense of comic timing. dd, also 2, is the bounciest child you could meet. All these parts of their personalities that you can't see at 8 days old.

Enjoy this time, but look forward to discovering with him who your ds is, it's a lovely journey (once you adjust to the lack of sleep).

socharlottet · 08/02/2013 19:45

No you love them more each day.I remember 18 years ago looking at my newborn firstborn and thinking I really must enjoy this time.When he is 18 I will be wishing for this time back.But NO.Every stage is better than the last.They do more things , get more interesting, make you even more proud.

Chubfuddler · 08/02/2013 19:46

Honestly it just gets better. The things 2,3,4,5,6 year olds say (and older no doubt but I haven't got there yet) are bloody hilarious, and sometimes incredibly profound. Just wait until the first time your baby properly puckers up and kisses you. Or says I love you. Or reads to you.

Newborns are wonderful but mostly to me because they're a miraculous little bundle of potential. Just wait until you start to see all that potential coming into being. It is amazing.

StrawberryMojito · 08/02/2013 19:46

My DS is 16 months. Although I loved him intensely, the first 3 months were so hard. He screamed constantly, so unhappy etc. No matter how many tantrums he has (which he doesn't very often), every day is easier and more fun.

chandellina · 08/02/2013 19:48

Congratulations, I think you may be riding the hormonal wave but yes be assured it only gets better. Just think of how exciting it is to see their personality emerge. My four year old is such an individual now, so sure of who he is, while I am loving watching my 13 month old find her way in herself and our family. She gives wonderful cuddles and wants to be part of everything. Enjoy it all.

catgirl1976 · 08/02/2013 19:48

It's like they keep getting better and you think "OK. Now you're perfect. Stop growing because it can't get any better than this!"

^^This

And somehow, they do get better and better. It's amazing

You have so many lovely firsts to come and each one will make your heart burst :)

Sparklingbrook · 08/02/2013 19:48

Strawberry sounds like my DS1. OMG the screaming.

He's 13 now and generally quite lovely.

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Arcticwaffle · 08/02/2013 19:52

I do think there is something very special about newborns, I've had 3 and the newborn stage sticks out as particularly nice. If I could I'd have kept one as newborn for ever.

I think many of us do have stages of having children we prefer to other stages. I would have happily lived without ever experiencing pregnancy or childbirth.
I feel very fond of my older 2 now, they are 12 and 11, they are at a very lovely stage, but I keep hearing how hellish teenagers are so I assume it goes all downhill from here.

Toddlers and preschoolers may be very cute and all that, on a good day, but the newborn stage and the 10-12 stage are the ones I have enjoyed the most so far.

Pigsmummy · 08/02/2013 19:55

My DD is 15 weeks today and I am totally smitten still, just relax and enjoy! Congratulations x

maleview70 · 08/02/2013 19:58

no. They become a pain in the arse when they hit about 12 and this lasts for a few years before they become semi normal again.

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