Newborn V’s Toddler Cuddles

When we found out we were expecting Baby O we were over the moon, I was definitely ready to be a mum.  Being the youngest of my group of friends and watching them one by one have babies, I was delighted it was going to be my turn.  I was ready for the baby stage, but I have to admit toddlers scared me. I would get exhausted just watching my friends run around after their little ones.

I enjoyed almost every minute of being pregnant (the 3 stone weight gain will confirm that) and longed for those newborn snuggles.  Baby O arrived 5 weeks before Christmas and, to my delight, he loved cuddles.  We spent hours curled up on the couch, Baby O snuggled into my chest, watching It’s A Wonderful Life and feeling perfectly contented.  We perhaps cuddled too much as it took a long time to break the sleeping on me napping habit, but I wouldn’t have swapped that time for anything.

As Baby O got older and a bit more independent the cuddles lessened as he wanted to be off on his own and I missed those early days.  He would tolerate a hug and than push me away.

But then things started to change again, Baby O began to understand what a kiss was and began to give out kisses, he began to tug my leg when he wanted a cuddle, and you know what makes a toddler cuddle so special, they hug back.  Nothing beats the feeling of Baby O giving me a big squeeze. We even have a two-tier hugging system in our house.  Ordinary cuddle and BIG cuddle, where we have arms open wide with Baby O running in for the hug.

I am a lucky mum as Baby O is a very affectionate little man and he’s made me realise that toddlers aren’t as scary as they may first appear, although he does make me do my fair share of running around.  So whilst those newborn cuddles were amazing, the toddler ones are fairly spectacular too.

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30 Comments

  1. September 26, 2013 / 8:53 pm

    They are both so special in their own right. Toddlers do hug back but they are also very wriggley!! Newborns can’t escape 😉

    • notafrumpymum
      September 26, 2013 / 9:03 pm

      They are, newborn cuddles seem so long ago now. Baby O was tiny, only 5 and a half pounds so was like a little doll in the early days.

  2. September 26, 2013 / 9:00 pm

    I miss baby and toddler hugs! Even my affectionate one is different as a teenager – we do head massage now instead as she is not so comfortable with big cuddles.

    • notafrumpymum
      September 26, 2013 / 9:05 pm

      I already feel sick at the thought of Baby O being too old for cuddles. I’m going to be the embarrassing mum kissing him goodbye when he goes out when he’s 18 and far too cool for stuff like that.

  3. September 27, 2013 / 2:53 am

    I can totally relate! Our little guy was a November babe too and that winter was particularly snowy, so lots of good inside pajama cuddle weather! But, now, as he approaches three years old, he does the sweetest unprompted cuddles, butterfly kisses and when we do take the occasional nap together, he pays with my necklace line he used to when he was an infant… Ahhh, sweetness…

    • notafrumpymum
      September 27, 2013 / 3:51 pm

      How cute! Very occasionally Baby O tries to snuggle into my chest like he did as a newborn, very sweet.

  4. September 27, 2013 / 6:38 pm

    I am so much more into toddlers than newborns. Seriously, toddlers are little people, I love their self expression, communication and the way their emotions are so clear 🙂

    • notafrumpymum
      September 27, 2013 / 7:45 pm

      So true, I love how much Baby O understands and communicates and he said his first sentence the other day which was very exciting!

    • notafrumpymum
      September 27, 2013 / 7:45 pm

      Thanks 🙂 x

  5. Kate
    September 27, 2013 / 8:16 pm

    Oh gosh, they’re both pretty spectacular! If you offered me a choice I wouldn’t be able to choose. I loved those precious newborn cuddles, the smell of newborn babies & snuggling them close to your chest, but the feeling when they hug you back, give you an unprompted kiss & tell you they love you… well yes, like I said, definitely couldn’t choose between them!!

    • notafrumpymum
      September 27, 2013 / 8:48 pm

      I love that newborn smell! I don’t think I could choose between the 2 either, loved both. Baby O hasn’t said I love you yet, can’t wait to hear it though x

  6. September 27, 2013 / 9:35 pm

    Awww. This is a lovely post and so true. My 6 month old Rosie can’t escape from cuddles and she is so cuddly and lovely. Alice is 2, and she is always on the run and awkward to grab hold of, but when she does cuddle it’s amazing – “big squuezy one” we say, and she hugs her baby sister and sayd “big hugs” 🙂 x

  7. September 27, 2013 / 10:25 pm

    I think little boys give the best cuddles and there’s something really special about knowing that they’ve chosen to cuddle you. I loved cuddling them when they were babies but now I feel so loved when they throw their arms around my neck that I can’t be sad about them growing up.

    • notafrumpymum
      September 29, 2013 / 7:06 am

      A friend of mine who had one of each always says her son is much more into cuddles than we daughter. Little boys do love their mums.

  8. September 28, 2013 / 12:58 pm

    I love the smell of newborn babies – so snuggly!

    • notafrumpymum
      September 29, 2013 / 7:07 am

      It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?

  9. butwhymummywhy
    September 28, 2013 / 6:40 pm

    Oh I just can’t choose! Cuddles with your kiddos at any age is pretty special. I think my favourite ones are when they are completely unprompted xx

    • notafrumpymum
      September 29, 2013 / 7:08 am

      I love it when Baby O curls up in my lap for a big cuddle, he’s such a softie!

  10. Colette B
    September 28, 2013 / 8:48 pm

    It’s SO lovely when they come back round to wanting cuddles isn’t it – I love snuggling with my two now 🙂 x

    • notafrumpymum
      September 29, 2013 / 7:08 am

      Me too, I love snuggles on the couch (usually watching Peppa Pig!)

  11. we3three
    September 28, 2013 / 9:29 pm

    toddler cuddles are the best! baby cuddles seem very one sided in comparison lol!

    • notafrumpymum
      September 29, 2013 / 7:09 am

      Haha, very true now when thinking back.

  12. September 29, 2013 / 9:08 am

    Reading about the head rub with the teen made me a bit teary… I know it’ll come someday for us too! I wish we could bottle these cuddles up for later too! I guess that’s why people get so broody for grandkids! 🙂

    • notafrumpymum
      September 29, 2013 / 10:30 am

      True, you get to do all the lovely cuddles but without the sleepless nights and nappy changes. My mum and dad love being grandparents.

  13. September 29, 2013 / 9:34 pm

    oooooooooooh, I am expecting baby number 2 and this post made me feel all goey! I LOVE baby cuddles and toddler cuddles. Can I just say though, Squish is almost 4 and they just get better and better. He snuggles now and tells me he loves me. *melts*

    • notafrumpymum
      October 6, 2013 / 2:25 pm

      Every day Baby O is getting more affectionate which is lovely, I’d love to see what he’d be like with a little brother or sister!

  14. December 7, 2013 / 10:48 pm

    I think that other people’s toddlers (and probably children too!) are VERY scary! When it’s your own toddler, you have a very different opinion – enjoy every cuddle, when they reach their teenage years, no cuddles allowed! Thanks for linking to #oldiesbutgoodies

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