I keep wanting to nip (very lightly) and pinch (again lightly and in the chubby places!) my 16 month old son. It has got stronger as he has got older. It is in no way aggressive and I never hurt him but it is like I have this overwhelming feeling of love and it is the only way that I have of truly expressing it. The other thing I do it is to kiss him (far too much but I figure I need to do it know before he decides it's too embarrassing or gross).
My family in particular and some of my friends do it, and I did it somewhat with my little sister who is 18 years younger than me. I have noticed my nieces do it with younger sisters and cousins and we've had to teach them not to hurt but to cuddle and kiss (you can see it coming as they get very excited, grit their teeth and reach out). I am unsure if it is learned or instinct.
I've tried googling this but have found no answer apart from an article which was clearly written by someone who is either not a parent or has no urge to do the same thing as it made it out to be aggression against a vulnerable child and for me it is quite opposite.
I was wondering if anyone else feels the urge or knows why I and a lot of other people I know do it?
My personal feeling is that it is some sort of basic bonding and 'play' behaviour, like an animal would do with it's own offspring to teach it or to clean it.
I hope others do feel the same and don't think I am a total weirdo. I figure it's the same reason grannies always pinch grandchildren's cheeks, so can't be that odd!
:-)