Little boys & babies

[Ahedgehogisveryprickly]

Random question but how are your little boys with babies?

I’ve had a couple of incidents recently where young boys have been a bit weird (for lack of a better word) when I go past with DD in the pram.

So yesterday I was walking home which is past a school field and it was break time. 3 boys came to the fence shouting things like “eww it’s a baby” and “wah wah wah”.

Today I went into my local corner shop and a little boy (I’d say he was about 6?) saw me walk in with DD in the pram and he said “no bad baby you can’t come in here” I ignored him and walked in but then he said “muuum are babies allowed in the shop?” Really loudly.

This isn’t a criticism of little boys! (I’ve just found out I’m pregnant again so could well have a little boy next) I’m just a bit baffled and wondered if it was normal?

Never come across this OP. My DS adores little babies and always has done.

I've always found boys, in particular, to be totally loving toward my younger ones. My youngest is 5 and his older siblings' friends still totally dote on him. My DD has always been the 'not interested' type. Babies do zero for her. Flatline. That's just who she is. She's not negative towards them in the least. They're just sort of 'white noise'. Now if you have a dog or any animal, she'll be ALL over you.
But I have to admit, my kids have never responded negatively to a baby, never. My youngest is the one who will make a beeline for babies. He really should have a younger sibling because he's just amazing with little ones. DC1, my eldest DS, has always been incredible with kids. It's just a character thing.
But the outright 'eww it's a baby' is something I don't think I've ever really seen any child do.

Not my experience at all. DS in 10 months and I've been surprised and how interested little kids are in him - both boys and girls.

Not normal. My DS’s are the quiet ones in my family, it’s my DD’s making all of the noise . Honestly, it’s not gender based, it’s just a matter of having manners or not.

My DS loved his baby sister. He was careful around little kids generally as were his playmates so I wouldn't say your experiences are the norm.

My son is 5 and we haven't really been around many babies since he was one but he's never really shown much interest in them. He'll be getting a little baby cousin in a couple of months though as my brother and his girlfriend are due their 1st

DS (8) likes babies. I think he got converted when his new cousin was put on him and she trumped which made him giggle. He's "Eww girls" about his own age group though.

His younger brother tends to copy him and he's always liked babies.

They've had baby dolls and a pram. DS BFed his doll when I was BFing his brother

What a bonkers, sexist premise.

My son doesn't like babies, he has sensory issues (mildy autistic) and babies can be loud and unpredictable ....but that's just him. He does not represent all boys.

I would guess these boys come from homes where playing with dolls and prams is sneered at as being "girly"

Most little boys I've known or met have either liked babies and been very good with them, or been indifferent to them beyond a cursory glance. Aside from sibling rivalry in very young boys (and girls), I don't think I've ever witnessed a little boy do something like the OP saw.

I read this thread earlier and then popped out to the village shop; it was obviously on my mind as I was conscious of the reaction of the children I met today - summer hols here - the one little girl we saw was uninterested in my baby, even after her dad said “look at the babies little shoes!” (My DD had her summer sandals on) The little girl responded with “yep.”
The two boys we met were quite different, one said “I like her ladybird dress, I’ve got a hat like that,”’whilst his brother (I assume) said “Sssh, whisper! The baby is asleep!” Which was quite cute!! The mum said the little one loved babies!

My almost 3yo boy says 'aww a cute baby, look mummy!' And would most likely want to cuddle them or show them his toy.

Read back what you've posted! Of course it's sexist. You're suggesting - on the basis of two incidents - that boys have an issue with babies.

Sorry op, got to say I agree with this.

My 2 year old son LOVES babies. Honestly the smile on his face when we see a 'baba' is lovely!

No it's definitely unusual.

My ds is 11 and a typical lad type. He is pretty ambivalent about random babies... they're not on his radar. He was always very sweet to his baby cousin though.

Echoing what others have said, that doesn’t sound typical to me either (and does seem like a bit of a jump from a couple of experiences to a potential generalisation about boys).

In my experience (two DSs in Primary school and another baby on the way, friends with children etc), pretty much all children (as in, younger children/under 10s - this is my own generalisation!) find babies cute and fascinating. They feel quite ‘big’ in comparison and want to show them or teach them things. My eldest (6yo) keeps talking to my tummy. Any time there’s a new baby at the school gates any children who know the mum/the older siblings love to gather around and coo.

Once children get older/teenaged they may still find them very cute and want to interact, they may be nonplussed, so very much like any adult.

I have never seen a boy (or any child in fact) act like this with babies (and I have two boys). I think you've just been unfortunate to encounter rude kids.