Am I mad that he could be interested after all this time?

[pumpkinbump]

Broke up with ex in 2015.
Dated a man a few times, went well. I was pretty messed up from the previous relationship (I know I should not have been dating).

Got back with ex, then had my daughter 2.5 years ago.

Split with ex when she was 2 months old. Very long story. He was an arse.

Didn't speak to man for a while. He popped up on WhatsApp one day, a few months after my daughter was born. Had a general quick chat. Told him about my daughter. He actually said it changed things for him (weird).

Since then he has been in contact periodically. He hints that he still likes me, and about meeting up. Not sure how serious he is so I take it with a pinch of salt.

What would you make of this?

From your post, he doesn't sound interested in building a relationship with HIS daughter. Would you really want to be in a relationship with someone who is a bad partner and bad father?

I thought this man was a different ex, not the child's father.

Maybe ask for your thread to be moved over to the Relationships board, OP, you might get more replies there.