Just because your child is too young to say words at this age, it doesn’t mean they can’t say “I love you” in some other way. Their actions and ways of showing love may even be better than hearing those three little words.
- Staring at you. Your baby loves to look at your face. You are familiar to them and it’s very comforting.
- Kissing you. These kisses may not be a puckered up, neat kiss; they are probably open mouth, slobbery face, going right for your cheek.
- Reaching for you. By 6 months old, your baby may hold out their arms to reach for you. They are asking to be picked up. Recognize the eye contact they are making with you while holding out their arms. They want you.
- Crying for you if you leave. They cry when you leave the room. It is normal for children this age to develop separation anxiety; a fear of seeing you leave the room and thinking you will not return. If you leave and your child cries, this is normal. You may be in the kitchen just around the corner, but they don’t know that you are really still there. Sing a song or talk to them so they can still hear your voice when you are out of sight to calm their fears.
- Making faces at you. Make silly faces at one another. Your baby will respond to your facial expressions, which creates a bond between the two of you.
- Coming to you for comfort. They come to you for comfort. When your child gets an “owie” they will probably come looking for you. They are looking for your comfort and for you to tell them they are OK.
- Looking for you. You are your child’s home base. If you are with many people or your child is playing with others, they will probably look for you to make eye contact with or crawl over for a quick hug. They want to know you are still there, and they take comfort in your presence.
- Interacting with you. Your baby talks to you and laughs with you. They love interacting with you.
- Copying you. Monkey see, monkey do. Your child will likely copy things you do. Watch them with the play phone they got from Grandma. It is likely that they will put it up to their ear and babble away as they imitate you talking on the phone.
- Delighting in you. When you pick your child up from day care or return from the grocery store, they are very happy to see you have returned. They probably have a big smile on their face, bounce around, or come crawling quickly to your feet.
Your child loves you just as much as you love them. Don’t be surprised that when they do begin talking, they will soon learn to say, “I love you!”
Learn more
- Is my baby laughing at me?
- Play games to boost your baby’s brain development
- Separation anxiety: Tips to stop tearful goodbyes
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Posted In Children's, Family Medicine, Parenting
