Baby Doesn’t Get Excited To See Me [Reasons & Solutions]

Verified by Kimberly Langdon M.D.
Verified by Kimberly Langdon M.D.

Kimberly Langdon is an obstetrician/gynecologist with 19 years of clinical experience and graduated from The Ohio State University, College of Medicine.

Baby Doesn’t Get Excited To See Me – Reasons & Solutions

It can be worrisome for parents when they perceive their baby as not excited to see them. Parents love their babies so much and usually visibly express this, but they can be left with hurt feelings when it is not reciprocated.

There are several reasons why your baby may not be reacting to you and some potential solutions to this issue:

Reason 1: 

Your baby, especially a newborn, is experiencing many developmental changes. For example, babies are nearsighted when they are born, and it takes time for them to get used to their surroundings in the outside world.

As an infant’s vision develops, they begin to recognize specific objects, movements, colors, and faces. Still, it takes time for the patterns to form as they familiarize themselves with the world.

At around 6-8 weeks, they will begin to smile in response to external factors, and at the 4-month mark, the faces of their caregivers will be one of their favorite things in the world.

Although they can recognize faces, they do not always know how to associate what they are seeing with their facial expressions.

Therefore, it is important to remain patient and understanding during these developmental changes.

Reason 2: 

A baby may seem to prefer others over the primary caregiver and this can be especially hurtful. A baby’s brain is not developed enough to think like this though and they are usually just reacting out of curiosity.

Many primary caregivers struggle with feeling like their infant isn’t excited to see them.

This is usually because their face is the first one the baby learns so there will be less of a reaction when compared to faces the baby sees less frequently.

Spending all day with your baby can also leave you tired and with less energy, so when a new person enters, their energy may be higher and this may excite the baby temporarily because along with a new face to learn, it is also a new stimulus for them.

Don’t take it personally and misinterpret the baby’s actions.

Solution 1:
Learning about and understanding how your baby’s vision and brain are developing month by month will help you know how to interact with them in a way that excites them.

Their brains progress quickly, and each month you will see advancements in their behavior, emotions, and reactions to different types of stimuli.

Solution 2:
Attachment is a process that takes time, but your baby will soon begin to recognize that you symbolize love, security, and food. They will start reacting differently as they grow to learn how their behavior causes you to respond.

Know that it is not only smiling and laughing that means a baby is excited; there are so many other ways a baby shows excitement. This can include staring at you intently, recognizing your smell, using you as a shield, or even – the opposite of the first, avoiding eye contact completely because they’re overwhelmed with excitement at the sight of your face.

My baby gets excited to see everyone but me – Why?

It’s quite normal for infants to be excited by other people and stimuli rather than their primary caregivers. Babies constantly learn and explore their environment, and new people and experiences provide them with many opportunities.

Is it normal for a baby not to get excited to see their parent?

A baby’s reaction to you may not be how you are perceiving it, so make sure to remind yourself that what you are thinking is not necessarily correct. If you do suspect your baby isn’t excited to see you it could be that they are reacting to your body language, and energy level and may be picking up on any stress or tension that you are carrying. You could find it helpful to set aside a few minutes each day for undivided baby time to just notice how your infant acts unprovoked. You could mimic their movements and the sounds he is making.

Could my baby’s lack of excitement when seeing me be a sign of something wrong?

It is extremely common for babies to show a lack of excitement when seeing the people who are around them the most. It takes time for a baby to develop emotional bonds and show excitement at the sight of their caregivers. If you are concerned about your infant’s lack of response, it is a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional.

How can I help my baby become more excited to see me?

There are a few things you can try to help strengthen your emotional bond with your baby, which will help them become more excited to see you:

Spend Quality Time – Set aside time daily to play and interact with your baby when you are not distracted by other tasks.

Be Responsive to Their Needs – Responding to your baby’s needs promptly and consistently will help your baby feel more attached to you.

Be Consistent – Follow a regular routine with your baby. This will help them to feel more secure and predict what to expect, which can make them more excited to see you.

It is natural to feel worried when your baby does not seem excited to see you, but it is important to remember that every baby is different. The bond will form over time by spending quality time together, using positive reinforcement, and by just taking care of their needs.

Sources:

https://www.babycentre.co.uk/x25012669/i-am-worried-my-baby-does-not-like-me-what-shall-i-do
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/growth/#catsenses
https://www.babycenter.com/baby/behavior/7-signs-that-your-child-loves-you_10327319
https://www.parents.com/baby/development/behavioral/signs-your-baby-loves-you/