Does anyone feel that their baby/child prefers the other parent?

[Writerwannabe83]

I have a don who is 4.5 months old and I just can't help but feel that he prefers DH over me.

DS is EBF so I obviously do all the feeds, I do bedtime, I do his evening and morning pamper sessions, I'm the one who spends every day looking after him, taking him for walks, playing with him, singing to him, rocking and humming to him when he's upset, take him to play groups and sensory sessions etc etc but he isn't the same with me as he is with DH.

DS does smile at me and is obviously always happy to see me, but whoever his dad walks into the room after getting hone from work my DS's face just lights up, he has a huge grin on his face before DH even says anything and when they play together DS laughs and laughs and laughs - he doesn't laugh like that with me. My DH is like a big kid with him though, throwing him in the air, spinning him round whilst I'm on the sidelines telling him to be careful!

I can't help but feel I'm the mundane, nurturing and careful parent and DH gets to do all the fun stuff which DS prefers. It's hard feeling like the 2nd best parent when I'm the one who does everything to make sure DS is cared for, looked after and make him feel loved.

Am I just being silly?

Maybe just a little! Your baby is so young still, I'd say you feel like you're just the feeding, changing, cuddling parent but you're so much more than that.

I was going to post a similar question, although my DS is just 3. He's going through severe Mummyitis at the moment, shouts at DH to go away and just wants me all the time.
Wondering myself if it's a three year old phase?

I wouldn't worry about it your baby will love you both the same its just that your spending more time with him then your partner my daughter is the same she is 20 months old and she is a daddy's girl big time when my partner is there all she wants is him when she hurts her self she wants daddy but when she's tired she wants me my parent can spend a hour trying to get her sleep but I can do it in 5 minutes. When your baby grows up he will need you for things and your partner for things me and my partner call it bad cop good cop they see daddy as fun and funny and mummy and serious if you get me

In my (limited) experience children seem to go through mummy/daddy phases all the time. My DD 21 months changes by the hour. She wants mummy if she's tired/ill/morning time. She wants daddy for bath/playing chase/rough play type games. Some days she just all out goes for him; for example we went to the supermarket last weekend and she would only hold hands with him, not with me!

I used to find it a bit stressful, especially when she had mummyitis but we just ignore it, get on with doing things for her and accept that she goes through phases all the time! Don't worry, it's good that your baby has a loving relationship with his dad.

Sorry you're feeling a bit down about this. I have been through those phases too. my ds is 10ms now and he definitely prefers us both in different situations. no one makes him laugh like his daddy and he loves spending time with him. But no one beats mummy when he's upset or tired. They will be playing happily, but if he hurts himself etc then it's all 'mumumumumum' and crawling off to find me!!! I'm sure your son likes the excitement of when daddy gets home, but trust me he needs you for all the important stuff!!

Ah OP, of course your DS is more excited to see his dad. At his age, you aren't the functional or the fun parent, as far as he is concerned there is not a need to consider you in such terms, you are one unit, you're part of him and him of you. The bond between you is immense and you are mum. That's something amazing and beats the giggles every time.