When Do Babies Understand ‘Kisses?’ Because My Son Is Kissing Girls Already!

I've always believed in the idea that age is just a number, and the recent escapades of my son Barrett are doing nothing but proving me right. You see, Barrett just turned 1-years-old in August, and in terms of life experience, he's pretty green. Yet, when it comes to expressing affection, he's practically an old pro! What's his chosen method of expression, you ask? Hugging and kissing – and not just any peck on the cheek, mind you. We're talking about full-blown, open-mouthed kisses!

Over the past week, there's been an interesting trend unfolding in the "Barrett World." Our little Casanova has developed an affinity for approaching young girls, roughly his age, wrapping them in a big hug and leaning in for the ultimate expression of baby affection. This isn't the kind of delicate lip-smacking you'd expect from a little one. Oh no, Barrett goes all in!

Now, some of you may be thinking, "Oh come on, it's just a phase. Babies do strange things." And yes, you'd be right. Babies indeed have their quirks. But let's dive into the science a bit. Some studies suggest that babies can understand emotions and even mimic affectionate gestures from a very young age. That means that those slobbery kisses you give your baby? They're taking notes.

According to the National Library of Medicine, "In the first year certain forms of 'early beginnings of the kiss' can be recognized. Quite early on in this period various buccal activities are observed in response to kisses given to him."

So, could it be that Barrett's recent spate of smooching isn't so random? It's possible he's just emulating what he sees from the adults around him. After all, babies are like sponges, absorbing information and mimicking behaviors from their environment. And while Barrett's interpretation might need a little fine-tuning (less slobber would be a good start), the sentiment is genuinely heartwarming.

Of course, not everyone is a fan of my son's kisses. One young girl's reaction was a comical blend of shock and curiosity, her wide eyes clearly saying, "What did just happen? And why is this boy so forward?!" One can only imagine the stories they'll share in their toddler circles: "You won't believe what Barrett did today!" Ah, young love and the tales it weaves!

While Barrett's behavior is endearing (and a tad amusing), it's also a beautiful reminder of the innate human need for connection and affection. Even at the tender age of one, our little ones are actively seeking out bonds and forming relationships in their own unique ways. And as for my dashing son, his adventurous spirit in expressing affection is nothing short of legendary. Move over, Romeo, there's a new romantic in town, and he's only just begun!

If there's one thing I've learned from this hilarious phase, it's that affection knows no age. So, the next time you see a toddler leaning in for a kiss, just remember - they might be onto something. Embrace the love, slobber and all!

Being a new parent is filled with unexpected twists, immense joy, and lots of lessons. As our son, Barrett, turns one today, I find myself reflecting on the past year. So much has happened! I promise I will try not to cry, but I have a box of tissues near me (just in case).

Barrett has had some incredible milestones in his first year. His tried his first solid food at 6-months old. I'll never forget it. We were in Mexico and we gave him a mango. He was so happy and proud that he was holding a big piece of fruit in his hands.

Another big moment happened in the beginning of April when he crawled for the first time. My mom and I happened to get it on camera, which you can see below. While he's not walking quite yet, he crawls really fast around the house. He now picks himself up off the ground and balances his body on the couch. Any day now he will be running around the house!

The experience has been humbling, enlightening, and all kinds of wonderful. My husband and I love our son so much and we've experienced so much with him in the first year of his life. We can't wait for the next few years so we can experience other big milestones.

Pretty soon he'll be walking, and then running, and then asking us to borrow the car!! HAHA. We are still many years from him driving a car, but it's true that time flies by way too fast.

As we celebrate Barrett's first birthday, we are not just marking the end of his first year but also the beginning of more adventures, lessons, and cherished memories. To all parents out there, whether you're just starting out or are seasoned pros, cherish the journey. It's immeasurably precious.

We encourage our baby to play with toys that will help him with his motor skills. We really enjoy the Lovevery Boxes. You can choose boxes that come with safe, sustainable toys that encourage learning. While many people have bought him toys, we try and limit the amount that we have in the house. Usually his toys include musical instruments and the items from the Lovevery Boxes.

Your baby will learn from your actions. I always try and have him around when I am working so he knows and understands what I do for a living. While I've only brought him into the studio one time for about 20 minutes, some day when he gets older he'll say, "My mom talks on the radio!" Always bring your baby into your life so he or she sees what you do! It's also fun to show them off to your co-workers.

Whether it's a stroll in the park, a visit to the grandparents, or even just a short grocery trip, every new environment is a sensory feast for your baby. These little expeditions contribute significantly to his cognitive and sensory development. We bring our baby EVERYWHERE. This picture was when we took him to Mexico. It was his first time on a plane and he did great!

Human connections are the backbone of our lives. By introducing Barrett to various friends and family members, we're helping him develop essential social skills and understand the world is full of diverse individuals. We allow many people to hold him and spend time with him. We don't want him having attachment issues when he enters "toddler-hood" so we're hoping this will help.

Parenting books, advice from loved ones, and information online can sometimes be overwhelming. While they provide valuable insights, nothing beats a parent's intuition. Trusting our gut feeling has often led us in the right direction.

It's true what they say, time flies when you're having fun. And this year with Barrett has flown by! Regularly taking photos, jotting down memories, or even making short videos has been a priceless way to cherish the fleeting moments.

Put the phone away if you are not taking pictures or videos of your baby. It's important for them to know that they are the main priority. Babies can tell when you're distracted on other things.

We introduced our son to solid foods at 6-months and we are so glad we did! He loves all types of food. At a year old he still has never had starches and sugar. The only carbs he's had have been plant-based, and the only sugar has been from real fruits. We want to limit things like pastas and cakes as long as he can. By doing this, he eats all sorts of yummy real foods.

https://country1025.com/2023/03/im-his-mother-which-is-why-my-son-is-eating-fried-chicken-already/

As Christians, it's important to my husband and I to raise our son in a religious household. We pray with Barrett every night before putting him to bed. We thank God for the gift of being his parents and having him as a son.

Ayla Brown is the host of "Country Mornings With Ayla Brown" from 5:30-9am. You can read the rest of her blogs here.