Do Moms Love Their Babies More Than Dads? The Honest Truth

Where Does This Question Even Come From?

It’s one of those things people whisper but rarely ask out loud: do moms love their babies more than dads do? It sounds unfair, maybe even a bit loaded. But when you think about it, there’s a reason this idea sticks around.

Moms carry the baby for 9 months. They go through labor. They're often the first to hold the baby, feed the baby, soothe the baby. That deep, physical connection? It’s real. But does that automatically mean more love?

Let’s unpack it. Slowly. And maybe a little messily.

The Science Behind Parental Bonding

Hormones play a role — but not the whole story

Oxytocin, often called the love hormone, surges in both moms and dads when they interact with their newborn. But yeah, it’s true that mothers often get a jumpstart — pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding... all trigger major hormonal changes that boost attachment.

But here’s the thing: fathers produce oxytocin too. Studies show that when dads cuddle, play with, or even just look at their babies, their brains light up in similar ways to moms.

So no, biology doesn’t give moms a monopoly on love. It just gives them a head start. Dads catch up — if they’re present and involved.

Time spent matters — like, a lot

Love grows with contact. That’s kinda obvious but worth saying. The more time a parent spends caring for the baby (diapers, midnight rocking sessions, peek-a-boo marathons), the deeper that connection becomes.

In households where dads take on equal or near-equal care duties, the emotional bonds are just as strong. So maybe it's not a "mom vs. dad" thing — it's a "time and effort" thing.

Cultural Pressure and Gender Expectations

Moms are expected to love more

Let’s be real — society gives moms the emotional spotlight. They're the ones we praise for "sacrificing everything," while dads often get applause just for showing up at school pickup.

This expectation can create a perception that moms feel deeper love. But in reality? Dads often love just as fiercely — they’re just not always given space (or permission) to show it.

I remember my buddy Alex sobbing quietly in the hospital hallway after holding his newborn for the first time. His wife was getting stitched up. No one saw him. No one asked about him. But that dude was all in. That was love.

Dads bond differently, not less

Some fathers bond through play, physical interaction, and long-term protection. It's not always about rocking the baby to sleep or singing lullabies (though, hey, some dads do that too). Their love might look different — more action, less softness — but that doesn’t make it any smaller.

What Do Kids Actually Feel?

Children respond to presence, not just gender

From a child’s perspective, love is often measured in presence. Who shows up? Who listens? Who laughs with them, comforts them, holds their hand when they’re scared?

Whether that’s mom or dad — or grandma, step-parent, or foster parent — isn’t the main issue. Emotional security is what counts. And that can come from any caregiver who shows consistent love.

So... Who Loves More?

Okay, here's the honest answer: there's no winner here. Moms don’t automatically love more. Dads don’t love less by default. Love isn’t measurable like that. It’s messy, emotional, evolving — and unique in every parent-child bond.

Bottom line? Moms might have a biological edge at first, but love isn’t a contest. It’s a commitment. And dads — when given the chance and space — love just as hard. Maybe even harder, sometimes. (But shhh... don’t tell the moms that.)

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.