How come you love them just because they're yours?

When my great niece was an infant, and I held her, it was as if I recognized the familial DNA. She looked like a member of our family, and I felt a bond to her.

When my kids came out via C section, I held them right away and snipped the cord,and the bonding was almost electric. My son heard my voice and was at peace; my daughter gripped my finger at less than an hour old and has had me wrapped around her finger ever since. I think it is instinctual and evolutionary, people bond to keep the children safe.

Congratulations on the new arrival.

I don’t love them just because they are mine. I love every baby I see. In fact, I love everyone. Some of my loves just piss me off more often than others, and that goes for my own kids as well as those of others, and adults. Fortunately, my 13 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren all live far enough away that it’s dead easy to love them all the time.

I think it is instinctual to adore little bundles of joy but I think in the back of our mind we understand that some children will be involved in our lives more than others because of relationships. The closer you are to the parents the closer you will feel towards the child.
That is why some grandparents favor some grandchildren more. Well that comes into play and also eventually the child’s behavior will be an influence on how you feels.
Distance will also play a role.

Congratulations, @janbb, to you and your whole family.

Not to take the cold scientific approach or anything but it’s absolutely evolutionary. Traits that motivate us to support the success of our own genes are exactly what natural selection support.

I’d say it’s instinctual.

I have a heart of stone, so I’ve never experienced this with children in the family. I’m not a huge fan of kids. But I sure as hell hope this occurs when I have one of my own.

I am more like @ETpro I love them all. It’s just that those of family are more accessible.

@janbb Congratulations on the new arrival.

I think it’s instinctive; the biological urge to protect, and ensure the survival of, one’s own bloodline.

Before my daughter was born, I had never seen a kid I liked. They were annoying twerps who were in my way.

When my daughter was born she was rushed to NICU. I held her hand and realized that I would slit my own throat if it meant she would live.

For me, it was instant, and the only explanation I have is that it’s instinct. You could look into kin selection.

I feel like I’m melting when I see most babies. But I will second what everyone else has already said, it can probably be explained scientifically. I think it’s beautiful.

He is ¼ you.

Evolutionarily genetic. Instinct is not opposed to learning, so when you have baby sat this little one 100 times perhaps some of that attraction will wear off.

Enjoy him to bits! All the very best and may luck and good health follow him right through life!

Just imagine when he starts moving round, you will all be on your toes running round in circles!!