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Babies are wonderful little creatures, but they can also be a handful. Handling a baby is always more fun if they like being around you. By giving them lots of attention; playing with them; and sharing toys, knowledge, or food you can entice any baby to like you.
Steps
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Meet their basic needs. The first and most essential way to earn a baby’s trust and get into their good graces is by meeting their basic needs. This means making sure they are fed, clean, and well rested. If the baby you are spending time with is in a sour mood, try feeding them, changing their diaper, or rocking them to sleep. -
Talk to them. Babies love the sound of people talking. You can talk about anything! Tell them your life story, read them a book, or describe what is happening around you. The sound of your voice is very soothing to the baby. Additionally, if they grow accustomed to your voice, they will be more likely to remember you the next time you come by. [1] X Research sourceAdvertisement -
Give them your undivided focus. To be honest, hanging out with a baby can be a little boring. It may be tempting to look at your phone, watch television, or take on some other task while you are spending time with the baby. But if you can give the baby your undivided focus, even for a little while, they will respond to it and grow to love your company. [2] X Research source- Rather than giving them half of your attention all of the time, it is better to give them complete focus some of the time. Then at other moments, you can let someone else take the baby while you complete a task.
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Visit them often. Babies do not have very developed memories. As they work to build foundational life skills, they will actually recall very little about the details. As a result, they can only remember people who they see often. If you want to win over a particular baby, try to spend as much time around them as possible. [3] X Research source -
Make eye contact. After babies are about eight weeks old, they will begin making eye contact. Babies love looking into your eyes. They do not experience the same self-consciousness that adults sometimes do during extended eye contact. Instead they feel a connection with the person looking at them.
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Play peek-a-boo. Peek-a-boo is a classic baby game that requires nothing but your own two hands. Cover your eyes to disappear and then reappear with an exuberant “peek-a-boo!” The baby will almost certainly smile and laugh, and as a result grow to like you. Babies seven months or older will begin to play peek-a-boo by themselves. [4] X Research source -
Make funny faces. Babies also respond well to silly faces. Even very little babies will find joy in the funny faces you can make. Be creative and weird with the faces you make, and see if you can make them laugh. Very soon, the baby will be love having you around. [5] X Research source -
Bring a puppy. There are few things that a baby loves as much as a puppy. If you have a puppy (or any gentle family pet) that you can bring over to play with the baby, you are sure to brighten the baby’s day. [6] X Research source- Always be careful and alert when bringing animals around babies.
- Select an animal that could cause little harm and/or one that has been adequately trained.
- Make sure animals have their required shots before bringing one around a baby.
- Make sure the baby's parents approve any pets you bring over.
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Sing. Babies are naturally drawn to rhythms and melodies. You can win a baby’s affection by singing to them. You can choose simple children’s songs, popular songs that you know, or make up any old melody, and the baby will love to spend time with you. [7] X Research source -
Take them outside. Fresh air and sunshine can do wonders for a baby’s mood. Take a baby outside to score points with them. The vitamin D in sunlight can make a baby very happy, and the wonderful colors and smells of the outdoors can provide myriad sensory experiences. [8] X Research source- Make sure to talk to the baby's parents on what protective clothing or sunscreen may be used to keep the baby safe from sunburn.
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Bring them toys. Every body loves to receive gifts, and babies are no exception. Bring a baby an age appropriate toy to get them to like you. Search for fun, non-electronic, interactive toys for that baby’s age group. Then use that toy to play with them! -
Share your food. If the baby in question is over six months old, and if their parents have already introduced solid foods, sharing a little bit of what you are eating can be a fun and easy way to make the baby happy and get them to like you. Excellent foods for sharing with a little baby are bananas or other very soft fruit. Always check with the parents to see which foods are allowed and what size bites are safe. -
Mirror their mood. Babies are surprisingly adept at accessing a person’s mood. You can foster a connection with the baby by taking on whatever mood they seem to be in. If they seem fussy, you may want to make fussy faces back at them. If they are cheerful, respond in kind. These small gestures of empathy can lead to the baby enjoying your company. [9] X Research source -
Teach them. Babies love to learn. Anytime you play with them, it can be a great opportunity for learning. You can teach them about the ABCs while playing with blocks, you can practice new words as you walk through the garden, or you can teach them the sounds of different animals when you play with stuffed animals. If you make an effort to teach them, babies will grow to love you. -
Let them help you. Babies as young as eight months old can start to be helpful around the house. If a baby is able to hold small objects, they can begin helping you clean up their toys. If they are mobile (crawling or walking), they can help even more. Even though a task will almost certainly take longer with a baby’s help, allowing a baby to help gives them a sense of belonging and pride. It is building a good foundation for them, and as a result, it will encourage them to like you.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat do you do if your baby gets bored of these things?Dr. Marusinec is a board certified Pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, where she is on the Clinical Practice Council. She received her M.D. from the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1995 and completed her residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Pediatrics in 1998. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the Society for Pediatric Urgent Care.See if the baby may be tired. Sometimes babies need a break from too much stimulation. Try putting the baby down for a nap or just cuddle or rock the baby. Otherwise, try introducing a new person or toy. Bringing another baby along will often make things more fun for everyone.
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QuestionAlmost every baby dislikes me very much that they don't want be to be near them. What do I do?Dr. Marusinec is a board certified Pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, where she is on the Clinical Practice Council. She received her M.D. from the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1995 and completed her residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Pediatrics in 1998. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the Society for Pediatric Urgent Care.You may want to explore how you are approaching babies. Are you friendly and gentle? Are you smiling and talking in a friendly manner? If you continue to have problems, talk to a trusted relative, friend, counselor, or doctor to see what could be going on.
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Tips
- Know that sometimes babies just naturally like or dislike someone.Thanks
- Be happy and smile as often as possible when around them.Thanks
- Care for them. Carry them around, feed them, and be soothing.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- If they start crying, pick them up and comfort them with gentle words and toys they like. Don't try to force them to be happy when they are grumpy, though. Babies are people too, and they get upset just like us.
- Play games and try to make them laugh. Just be mindful of how you play with them. Don't try to flip them upside down or anything that could lead to an accident. The baby's safety is what's most important.
- Sometimes the baby might seem like they don't like you when they're just fussy because they need their diaper changed. Always check their diaper if they start getting fussy!
- Physical touch can help the baby bond to you. Touching their little heads and carrying them around in your arms might help you connect.
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Warnings
- Newborn babies can be extremely fussy and hard to care for.Thanks
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References
- ↑ http://www1.nyc.gov/site/talktoyourbaby/index.page
- ↑ http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/06/06/give-kids-your-undivided-attention-or-no-attention-at-all/
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/your-babys-stranger-anxiety
- ↑ http://thestir.cafemom.com/baby/135281/7_ways_to_make_a
- ↑ http://thestir.cafemom.com/baby/135281/7_ways_to_make_a
- ↑ http://thestir.cafemom.com/baby/135281/7_ways_to_make_a
- ↑ https://www.parentmap.com/article/why-you-should-sing-to-your-baby
- ↑ https://lauragraceweldon.com/2015/01/21/the-magic-of-fresh-air-for-babies-other-beings/
- ↑ http://www.today.com/parents/babies-can-read-each-others-moods-5-months-study-finds-6C10489614
About This Article
Article Summary
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The best way to get babies to like you is to give them lots of loving attention, which you can do by playing fun games to make them happy. Start with the classic game of “Peek-a-Boo” by covering your face with both hands, then open your hands up to show your face again and say “Peek-a-Boo!” Repeat this several times and the baby will soon begin to smile and laugh. Another game you might like to try is making funny faces in front of the baby, like going cross-eyed and poking out your tongue. If you don’t feel like playing games, try introducing the baby to a puppy or cat and help them touch the fur carefully. Just be sure to never leave baby alone with any animal. For tips on connecting with a baby through sharing activities, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "All the babies everywhere I go seem to love me since I started doing this, especially when they see other babies loving me." ..." more
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"All the babies everywhere I go seem to love me since I started doing this, especially when they see other babies loving me."
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"Playing with them was a big help, it was a bonding experience for both of us."
"Smiling and playing with kids makes them like you."
"It helped me realise babies are ugly."
"Funny ways to connect with a child."
