When did the love bug hit?

I was inspired by another members passionate declaration of her love for her baby to ask this one as, although I felt very protective of my DD from the moment she was born, I think she was about 6 weeks old before I realised I was 'in love'. (Totally dotty over her now! :lol:)
Did anyone else 'grow into' the love bubble gradually? Have it hit later? Is still waiting for it? And did you feel like you couldn't say that or people would think you were weird for not being totally besotted from the get-go?
Just curious....hoping to get non-judgemental personal experiences in response.....

I have always been protective of DS but I was one of those that grew into the love bubble. He was probably 3 mnths old before I 'loved' him and I really had to put in a concious effort cause we just weren't bonding at all. I have to confess that while I 'loved' him I didn't 'like' him until he was about 12-15 mnths :hide:

Now I am absolutely besotted with him and we kiss and cuddle and smooch alllll day looong :lol:

My DS was 4 months old when I had the realisation that I really, really loved him. I didn't conciously 'dislike' him or anything - I would of done anything to protect him and keep him safe, I thought he was gorgeous and I certainly liked him but one day it just hit me so strongly about how much I loved him. I even cried my feeling were so strong.
I think that you always think it will be an instant love for a baby, which for some people it certainly happens. In my case, I think it took me a while to get to know this little guy and his personality. Also dealing with learning to be a mum as well. It's was a bit like a relationship I guess.
I don't tell many people about this - I have told people that are close to me such as my sisters but that's about it. I don't feel guilty about it but I do worry that people won't understand what I mean.
Now I am definiately the same as Kelebek - we are very cuddly and always say I love you, which I love. We didn't do that in my family, so I am glad that my little family is able to show its love so freely.

My love for DS grew over time too. I used to hear other mothers describe their love and bond with their babies and was so guilty that I didn't feel it for my child. Of course it did happen, just not straight away like it did with my other 2.

with Jack it was instantanous but I think that was because it took so long for us to have a baby in our arms and then to nearly lose him at birth

with Luke it was Sat night I was laying in bed after all my visitors had left he was wide awake and looking at me with these big eyes and I got this overwhelming sense of love for him :)

Yeah it took us a few weeks here, probably at least 4 weeks, and then one day I was feeding her, looked down and I also cried the feelings were so strong! I think 'love at first sight' for our babies is less common than people think.

Mine was instant as well. The minute that she came out my tears of pain went to tears of pure joy cause I couldn't believe how much I loved this little person that I'd only just met. I'd loved her more than anything straight away.

this has a lot to do with the birth and the hormones involved

I have been bitten several times. I loved her straight away, but at 6 weeks, I was so overwhelmed with the feeling I thought I would die. The same thing happened at about 6 months and again just recently. I feel the bond just grows and grows, so I can't imagine what it will be like by the time she's an adult. Whoa!

I think it took about two years with DS.

DD was instant.

As soon as mine were all placed in my arms for the very first time I knew then and there I would die for them I loved them that much, but with my second child I wasn't in love with her for quite some time whereas with the other 3 it was virtually instantaneous. I think the issues with my second child was because of the stress we were under at the time (the drought) and also her personality (VERY high maintenance) combined to make it a longer time before I could say I was in love with her.

mine was definitely not instant, i couldn't even look at her to begin with straight after the cesar due to shock i suppose.... it took a good few months, i mean, obviously i loved her, but the bonding etc took a few months.... in the beginning i was a mess and didn't know whether i was coming or going, and all i wanted was a 'normal' baby who slept a little or didn't scream when put in the pram or car seat...

now obviously i wouldn't trade her for all the world and i often look at her and listen to her and marvel at how in love with her i am..... i also tell her a million times a day 'i love you' and she whispers 'i love you too'.... must drive her bonkers!

i think as she learnt to talk and express herself i fell in love with her all over again as she is so unique and sweet and smart.... a day doesn't go by where she doesn't fail to floor me with something she has said.

Ok I'll edit to say I *loved* her straight away. I would do anything for her, from the moment I heard her cry I knew it. I think that goes without saying for most people...

I didn't feel 'in love' until MUCH later, at least 4 weeks I think it was. The overwhelming OMG feeling like your body is so full of love that you could just explode. I get it every time I look at her, that feeling of ... *sigh* OMG I love you so much my beautiful gorgeous girl!

About 10 weeks for me. I thought she was utterly fascinating, but it wasn't until 10 weeks and we were having a really great day together and I realised how much I loved her :heartbeat:

I have never "fallen in love" with DS. I do love him and he's adorable, but I'm apparently quite lacking on the old maternal instinct. I'll let DS do loads of dangerous stuff, like going downstairs on his own or walking near a road or over a bridge. Apparently most mothers don't do that. Well, if they do they tell me they don't. I've never been in a situation where I would have to die for DS. I probably would if I could, but I can't foresee that happening. I don't wish I had his illness when he's ill. I just enjoy the cuddle-time knowing that I'm not really poorly having to look after a manic toddler. That's not proper mummy either.

I like DS a lot too. We have great conversations and he has a great sense of humour. I've just not fallen in love with him.

I am not sure with DD, I was pretty 'out of it' (from blood loss and the trauma of the birth) for about five days. I think it was around then that I started to love her. without that feeling there was no way I could have coped for the next six month with such an unsettled unhappy baby.

Actually I didn't realise that things didn't happen straight away with DD until I had DS1 because with him it really was instantaneous (as with DS2) - I had an incredible 'rush' of love as soon as I saw them, that I never experienced with DD.

It took me a few months after DS was born to love him. There was a definite duty of care, I wanted to make sure all his needs were met and he felt safe and secure but I honestly don't believe that you can love someone without knowing them first (just my personal opinion).

I am not sure of the difference between just 'love' and 'in love'

I fell in love with DD instantly and would stay awake to watch her sleep in the hospital bed. But it just seems as time goes by I love her more and more as if I never loved her enough before.

Hard to explain but i thought i hit maximum LOVE when she was born but as time goes on I love her more and more.