Please tell me this is normal amount of affection for a 16 month old

[Whateverhappenedtobabyjane]

My DS has never been a hugger. He went through a fairly long stage of open or closed mouth kisses if asked - rarely volunteered - and now that's mostly stopped. He makes kissing noises with mouth, v occasionally blows a kiss, but is mostly unbothered. He'll happily climb up and over you if you are on the floor, be held up by you, be held by you - he'll put up his arms to be carried.

But is this normal affection for a child of his age? I worry a lot that it isn't. I hear friends talk about their babies clinging for affectionate and this really isn't him. He likes to get off lap and get on with exploring. I worry because I know it's potentially an ASD red flag.

Could anyone reassure me?

Sounds like he's loved & happy, comes over for hugs & feels happily secure to go off exploring when he wants. Talk to him lots too! They understand more than you realise.

Sounds completely normal - its what my ds is like. He's become more affectionate with age, but his natural curiousity normally means he's off my lap to dismantle something.

Sounds like my ds. The only time he actively seeks cuddles tolerates my cuddling for more than 5 mins is when he's poorly and then he's a bit clingy. The rest of the time I am either an obstacle to be clambered over or a barrier to what he wants every sharp object in the house. He won't sit on my lap for very long as he likes to explore. I wouldn't worry :)

Thanks all. It's reassuring. I just want him to give me a hug! I do worry that there's something more to it, but maybe that's my overactive anxious imagination

My son only offers kisses at bedtime. Other times its met with a turn of the head. He does climb up on me lots and likes a cuddle though. I agree its a good sign he's comfortable and happy and confident to go and explore.

He'll climb on me all the time but I wouldn't say he flings his hands around my neck or anything! Maybe I'm expecting too much from him at this age...

My DS is like this too. He likes to be carried/held but doesn't really do kissing (except his teddies!) and would much rather be exploring than sat on my lap.

My middle girl was like this as a baby. As a teenager, she loves a hug and is very affectionate with her sisters so I wouldn't worry too much. Your lad is just super busy :)

My DS has just started deliberately giving hugs at 20 months. I'm still bf, and he's a very physical child, so we do have a lot of physical contact, but him climbing on me and putting his head on my chest [awwwwwww] is new. And fleeting.

They are all different.
Out of 3 DC's I have had one that won't leave me alone, one that won't come near me and one in the middle
Don't worry.

The only time i really get cuddles is when DS is ill! Then he's a mummy limpet. The rest of the time he's too busy exploring, though he'll 'kiss' if asked - most of the time.