When did your child learn to hug?

[justKate]

Maybe that sounds like a weird question, as if its something that must be learned. I'm concerned that DD might have some sensory issues. I know that's pretty ambiguous, but I'm just starting on this journey.

So at what age did you know that your child was hugging you? As opposed to trying not to fall out of your arms or getting comfortable to sleep.

I ask because DD (almost 15 mos.) has only hugged me twice. The first time was about a month ago, and I was carrying her down the stairs. She hugged me and i was so surprised we nearly both tumbled down. The second time was about a week later, but not as obvious.

I mean, she likes to be held, and will snuggle her head in when she's sleepy or scared or cold or whatever, but she doesn't use her arms for holding on or hugging. Is that characteristic of young toddlers or is this another mark on the sensory processing disorder checklist?

Thanks for your thoughts!

[emilyash]

My DS is 16 months and I feel like the hugs are a reguar but relatively new thing. I think in the last couple month or so I've been sure that I'm getting a hug/snuggle. He's been kissing for about 4-5 months, but the hugs are newer.

[curiouscanadian]

DS (20mo) has been "hugging" for awhile now, from about 16mo if I had to guess, but it's still more a leaning/snuggle hug than a wrap-the-arms-around hug. I'd say maybe in the last month he's been using his arms more? But that could also be because we've been stressing to him "hug, don't push" (he's a pusher and that's how he was greeting the other kids at his dayhome).

[butterfly_mommy]

My DS just starting doing the arms around you type of hug maybe a month or two ago, he is 27 mons. I was kind of concerned a bit about the not hugging thing and actually "taught" him to hug. I do not have any real concerns with any part of his development, ever.

He is not a huggy, kissy type of kid, and would much rather explore and play then spend a lot of time cuddling. I think it is just part of his personality. I come from a very affectionate family that is always hugging and kissing but DH comes from a not so physically affectionate family and they hardly ever give hugs and kisses. DH has learned to be more affectionate with my family and I have learned to not be so touchy with his. I hope that DS learns to be more affectionate but i try not to push it

[MamaPhD]

17 mo DD started to give me hugs for about a couple of months now. She sometimes runs across a room with her arms outstretched to find me and hug me! :-)

[Super~Single~Mama]

My 15.5mo has been hugging for a few weeks, but not regularly. I only know its hugging b/c I asked for a hug the other day and he came over and gave me one!

[ShadowMoon]

Just under 24 months. He's a regular hugger now

I wouldn't worry too much.

[sapphire_chan]

Lina was pretty young, but she picked it up from hugging her dolls and other children, not from hugging us. Basically, after practicing on things the right size for her she was able to transfer those skills to hugging us.

[Everrgreen]

I'm sure there's probably a huge variance for this. My DS is very cuddly/huggy. I think he started hugging around a year old, I can't remember, he's been doing it a while. He is 15 months now and definitely is hugging and knows what a 'hug' is. I think he is quite a bit more cuddly than average as I've had other moms at playgroup comment on how huggy he is compared to when their lo's were his age.

[lach]

My son is 14 months and he is a HUGE hugger. It probably started around 12 months. He hugs his stuffed animals (OMG it's the cutest thing you've ever seen), and he clutches you tightly when you pick him up, and puts his arms around your neck to hug. It's adorable.

My daughter, on the other hand, has never been a big hugger. I remember how surprised I was when DS first started hugging, because it hadn't even occurred to me that babies that age COULD hug. If I ask her to hug me now, she kind of reaches around and pats my back. She's very affectionate in other ways (loves to sit on my lap, be held, insists on sitting right next to me on the couch under the quilt whenever I sew or knit), but I don't think she ever really started hugging.

[laughymama]

Cain learned to hug before he learned to wave. He has been hugging since about 6 months old. He would wrap his little arms around your neck and squeeze.

He learned this from us. I'm a hugger and people in our circle of friends and family all hug. Everyone is especially affectionate with the little ones and kids. We didn't necessarily set out to teach him to hug...but it happened. He's been a regular hugger ever since really.

He's a big snuggler though and loves physical affection so I know part of this is due to his personality.

[Emmery'sMom]

My DD started hugging really early too and now she will say "hug" as she's squeezing me (I'm the only one she initiates hugs with) But we are also big huggers in our family.

I wouldn't worry about your DD not hugging though. If she resists hugs and doesn't like to be touched then that's something to have checked out.

[Cherry Alive]

DD started hugging about 12.5 months. She started kissing a couple months before. It's really wonderful to get hugs and kisses from her.

[starling&diesel]

Hi Kate ... Esmé is a big hugger. She started hugging at about ten months or so. And will now give hugs spontaneously and by request, to her humans or her stuffed bear or her blanket or her wooden car or whatever.

[mckittre]

Katmai doesn't really hug us that often, but will hug his stuffed animals sometimes.

[PeachBaby]

DS is now almost 17 months and he first started off with hugging his stuffed toy, I'd say about a month or so ago, and shortly after that, he started hugging us too.

[Liberty5_3000]

Sometime between 2 and 2 1/2