Introverts from the very beginning?

[staceychev]

Just wondering what other mamas have seen in their children, because I'm curious.

DH and I are both classic introverts--although I'm an outgoing, talkative one--in that we need alone time to re-fuel.

DD1 is an extrovert, and needs to connect with me at the end of the day to get back to herself. DD1 wasn't a high needs baby, or at least I didn't think so at the time. But she loved to be worn constantly, and co-slept, and is still, and 4.5YO, a very contact-oriented little girl.

DD2, who was 4 weeks yesterday, is definitely a different baby. It's not that she doesn't love contact. She does sleep with us, and sleeps in my mei tai. But, she also is very content at some points in the day to be awake and alert and alone. There have been several times where she's been sitting in the reclined bouncy seat staring at the window and when I've picked her up, she's started crying. Is it possible that this is just a more introverted baby and that, like her father and me, she needs some time by herself? I feel really weird leaving a baby alone when I don't need to... but I swear that she really cried when I picked her up and settled down when I put her back down.

[honey-lilac]

I was an introvert from like birth onwards, if you believe my mother.

[cristeen]

My little guy is a bit like this. There are definitely times when he doesn't want me to disturb his "bubble".

But, at the same time, he's highly social and loves being with other people.

I try to follow his cues.

[Abraisme]

My 6yo ds has always has the same personality. He's super out-going, does NOT need much touch, play alone well, but strongly prefers a crowd. I think it's totally possible to know your child's personality from a few months old.

[Norasmomma]

My children have showed me their personalities from conception. DD was always in my ribs, stretching, kicking and just being feisty. She is a serious extrovert, to the point where she can be completely draining.

DS was mellow in utero, he rarely got out of his little ball, he just made fluid, yoga moves-his personality extroverted also, but he is not as draining as DD, he sleeps better at 6 months then her even now, he is just not so demanding energy-wise.

I called both of their personalities, pretty spot on from the time I felt them start moving around. I fully believe a small baby can tell you what their personality is.

[nina_yyc]

Well, DD was clearly an extravert from the early days, so why not the other way too? I never understood when people said they hated parties where everyone held the baby; DD LOVED that and she's a hyper-social 3yo.

DS is a bit more like you described, although at 4mo he is going through a bit of a mama phase. However, I wonder with him if it's a bit more of a second-child thing...DD was always waited on hand and foot as a baby, but he has been left alone at times from the very beginning because I already have another kid to look after. So it has never been his experience to have constant attention...probably a good thing ;-)

ETA: you'd think from my post I am a pretty cold mom....nope, DS gets worn and carried and loved tons. I am just not the idealistic AP first time mom this time, a bit more pragmatic. If the baby is happy by himself, I'm not going to feel guilty about leaving him alone.