Is this normal for an 18 month old?!

[tiredmum87]

I have an 18 month old son. Every morning when I hear him wake up, I go into the room and say good morning! How are you! really enthusiastically, but he doesn’t even give me so much as a smile! Just immediately asks for one of his toys that has inevitably dropped on the floor overnight. I feel a bit sad that he doesn’t seem especially happy to see me at all. I’ve asked friends who say their babies give them a massive beaming smile when they go in the room. Is my son’s reaction normal?!

He’s never been particularly cuddly - he will ask to be picked up during the day then almost immediately asks to go back down on the floor with his toys!

My nearly 4yo walked into the living this morning, told me it was too bright with the lamp on, demanded I switch the TV on and wouldn't talk to me further till I got him some milk. He 100% takes after me.

He sounds just fine and I don’t think it is unusual at all. I hadn’t really thought about it, but mine aren’t always smiley first thing and would sometimes ask for a toy straight away. His morning wake up routine sounds like it is lovely and predictable. I imagine you walking in is such a familiar and expected event that he is responding accordingly (of course some children behave differently, but his reaction also is entirely normal).

My 22 month old cries some mornings when I go in!! So you're doing better than me! Am v surprised anyone would suggest speak to health visitor. There's nothing wrong I reckon!

Hmm I'm not sure, does he ever react happily to see you?

My first born was like this. I remember being a bit miffed when other mums said the best thing was the first smile in the morning etc. And in my head I'd be like mines always moaning or demanding something when he wakes up. He's five now, bright we'll rounded, affectionate, id say we have a very close bond.

My younger two were always full of joy and excitement seeing me when they woke up m. My youngest acts like I'm was gone for a week when I come back from the toilet 🤣

I think it's just their personalities. My son wasn't the only one in The baby groups that was a misery waking. All very lovely children now!

Just to give another perspective, my daughter never greets me with a smile, she is definitely not a morning person (just like me!) very grumpy when she wakes however after 5 minutes and a few cuddles she’s happy to play with me, I have no concerns about her social development. If you don’t have any concerns the rest of the time I wouldn’t worry too much, he might just need some time to come round in the morning.

It depends on the day here. Sometimes I get a smile. Sometimes I get tears. Sometimes, he lobs Teddy at the floor and points for me to pick it up.

I wouldn't be worried!

Depends on personality, I spose. Puts has been up chattering away for a bit by the time I get up. Sometimes he lies there pretending to be asleep and playing games 🤔🙄 He's a similar age, they're all different

Ours

My son does not smile at me in the morning until he’s been up a good hour. He’ll ask for what he wants (wee, bath, iPad, whatever food he wants, toys) but not smile. He’s pleased to see me but really doesn’t show it. My youngest just wants some booby so no smiles there either.
Both are happy and smiley the rest of the time.

I've never really noticed whether they smile at me first thing in the morning (three kids). He sounds perfectly 'normal' to me from the other stuff you've said so I do think you're overthinking this one particular thing.

All babies are different, I've got two very affectionate and outgoing ones and one who is more reserved and serious and not really a 'cuddly' child, but they are all fine, they just have different personalities. Try not to worry.

@MooseBreath

It depends on the day here. Sometimes I get a smile. Sometimes I get tears. Sometimes, he lobs Teddy at the floor and points for me to pick it up.

I wouldn't be worried!

Identical situation here. Usually the grumpy mornings (boy wants his breakfast) outweigh the cheerful mornings though 😬 I also agree that nothing about this, in isolation, is worrying.

2.5 year old regularly just stares at me because I've dared to come in before she's ready. She said the other day 'I don't like you with your glasses on' or my personal fave 'where's daddy?'

I think he sounds fine. If he gives you plenty of eye contact, reactions, expressions etc throughout the day then it sounds like he just isn’t a morning person!

My son is near 5 now, doing really well at school has lots of friends no issues at all. Until he was 3 he ALWAYS woke up screaming, it was so bad nursery even pointed it out. Even now he's grumpy when he wakes.
It's just one of his quirks! Not sure why people are telling you to speak to your health visitor. Your child sounds perfectly normal and it lucky to have a mum that greets him so happily each morning.

2 year old never smiles first thing, asks for toys, is generally in quite a bad mood until he has had breakfast. In other ways he is entirely normal. The same when he wakes from a nap.

I think he may have been smiley first thing when a little baby but not in toddlerhood. My daughter was the same!

The reason I suggested the health visitor is that while in all likelihood he is just not great in the mornings, it is better to get checked so if any concerns a plan is in place quicker. The fact he has a good vocabulary is great. Normally babies and toddlers mirror their mother when she smiles at them- that is the only reason I am suggesting a quick check.

My boy, 15 months, has a comforter toy to sleep and he is VERY attached to it. Sometimes he flings it out of the cot in the morning and when I first go in will point at it and be very moany till I pick it up.
If he has his comforter then he is happy to see me, though will usually be looking for milk so will be desperate to get his hands on the bottle I take in with me.