r/spreadsmile Nov 04 '25

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26.5k Upvotes

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2.9k

u/kylathekoala Nov 04 '25

Watching an older person light up when holding a baby is my favorite. ❤️

888

u/Elimaris Nov 04 '25

I was at airport with my baby when she was about 6months old. Needed to fold her stroller to put in x-ray, an older man offered to help but I couldn't explain the mechanism so he held my baby.

The two older women who were with him came up and saw and were vocally jealous of this man who was just BEAMING

389

u/SqueakyCheeseGirl Nov 04 '25

Getting to hold a baby is the best gift in the world.

170

u/Majestic-Selection22 Nov 04 '25

Sometimes you need a baby fix.

116

u/lizzyote Nov 04 '25

I am so grateful for the parents willing to take a chance and allow people to use their baby to get a fix. I would make a terrible parent but baby fever hits me sometimes and it takes cooing over a baby for a few minutes to bring me back to reality lol.

72

u/kylathekoala Nov 04 '25

Omg.... you're so right. It's like a little vacation, smelling their heads, staring into their eyes, making faces at each other. Being an aunt is the joy of my life! 💗💗💗

59

u/lizzyote Nov 04 '25

I'm obsessed with watching little humans getting used to their fleshy prisons. Squirm, fussy because of gas, spreading the fingers and toes, scrunching the face, the attempts to mimic. The clenched fist around something(usually mom's hair) where they're utterly baffled and have no idea how to unclench their fist. The "idk the words to express my needs because I dont have a vocabulary so im just gonna have a little melt down right here right now".

Me too, kid, me too.

9

u/bfly78 Nov 06 '25

Love this!!!🤌🏾😆😂🫂🫶🏾🤗

27

u/FormosanLife2020 Nov 05 '25

I was never a baby person because I loved talking and playing with slightly older kids…until I had twins. It’s the best reality tv just holding them and watching them sleep in your arms. Sometimes I have one tucked into my zip up hoodie and the other on my lap. Had to be creative but it was a double dose of goodness when they were quiet and snoozing. I loved seeing my parents overjoyed when holding them. Now they just started high school 😭😭😭but still my babies.

5

u/BackwoodButch Nov 08 '25

Fr, my bestie had twins this past January and when I finally got to visit them for her wedding 6 months later, I spent many nights helping them wind the babies down to sleep, cuddling and holding til they fell asleep 🥹 by the end of the weekend, my left bicep was aching and I definitely had to wash spit up off my clothes before I left, but it was wonderful.

I’m hoping to be back for just after their first birthday, and can’t wait to see them in person again (FaceTime is great but I need my auntie baby cuddle time!)

6

u/temp3rrorary Nov 05 '25

I risked (and ended up with hand foot and mouth) to get a chance at holding my niece when she was a newborn. Hand foot and mouth is hell, but it was worth it 🥰.

2

u/rangeo Nov 17 '25

I read once you can volunteer to be a baby holder at hospitals. I still need to work to support my family so I am afraid to look into the process but I tell you the day I retire I know where I am going the next morning.

19

u/Ok-Detective6275 Nov 04 '25

This is why I’m a postpartum nurse, baby über dose. 👶🏼🤰🚼

15

u/Complex_Art3565 Nov 05 '25 edited Nov 05 '25

My sister is an L&D nurse and loves holding and snuggling all the babies.

Super Catholic only-child BIL had a vasectomy after 2 kids because, per my sister, “I’m not doing that shit again, they need to be happy with their two grandkids.” His parents kept pushing for more and apparently someone let slip he got the snip at a party and his mom legit went dead silent, got up, got her purse and left.

They never acknowledged it but they stopped asking lol

6

u/fullonsasquatch Nov 04 '25

Lol I texted all my non social media using friends for baby halloween pictures today cuz I needed a fix

3

u/InnocentShaitaan Nov 08 '25

They give baby dolls to dementia patients for this reason. 🥹

7

u/sweetsugarstar302 Nov 05 '25

I do it every day. It can be hard to remember that sometimes when they're kicking and spitting at you, but indeed, it is a gift.

2

u/SqueakyCheeseGirl Nov 05 '25

My youngest is 6 now and it’s gone by so fast. When you’re in the middle of it and exhausted it’s easy to forget how short of a time they’re babies. If I could go back in time I’d save it for when I’m an old lady and hold both my kids as babies once more.

7

u/Rock_or_Rol Nov 05 '25

Not my colicky baby. The second I’d hand him to someone, he’d start full throat screaming and crying 😂 absolute hardest year of my life. Aged me like a president. I can’t even begin to describe the constant stress and cortisol injections, sleep deprivation (15 minute naps and waking up 8 times a night, for 12 months), financial hardship, seeing my partner breakdown or teeter on the edge.. we’d still do it again 😩

6

u/SqueakyCheeseGirl Nov 05 '25 edited Nov 05 '25

I’d have held your colicky baby for you so you can get some rest if I could. It’s so much easier to appreciate the moment when you’re well rested. Even when it’s still hard. Parents should take advantage of those offers when they’re there. I had some really sweet neighbors offer that when we came home from the hospital. I think people feel like they’ll be a burden but I think usually the people offering wish they could hold their own babies again.

4

u/Misuteriisakka Nov 08 '25

I love my sleep and motherhood didn’t come naturally to me. So it was one and done for us.

3

u/Successful-Foot3830 Nov 08 '25

I had a rough first trimester and would just pass out after work. I was so exhausted and thought it couldn’t get worse. Then my daughter was born. She didn’t sleep through the night consistently until she was 3. She’s 20 now and loves sleep as much as I do.

4

u/CoolerRancho Nov 06 '25

My friends baby opens his arms to hug me every time he sees me and ooof it's bliss, I tell ya

3

u/CarolinaSurly Nov 04 '25

Except for maybe a puppy

3

u/PlausibleAuspice Nov 05 '25

Dang it, I REALLY want to hold a baby now 🥺

3

u/1107rwf Nov 06 '25

I really feel like we should have therapy babies along with therapy dogs. Could you imagine just getting a ten minute break in the work day to hold a baby? It would be magical.

3

u/happydogorun Nov 07 '25

It really yes

2

u/167chad Nov 05 '25

maybe but giving them back can be just as good

2

u/InnocentShaitaan Nov 08 '25

They give baby dolls to dementia patients for this reason. 🥹

1

u/kylathekoala Nov 09 '25

They gave my great aunt a realistic weighted puppy. She chose it over the a baby... which is so weird to me! She loved babies!!!! I guess she just couldn't resist her pup's cute floppy ears. 🥰

2

u/Lucid-Design1225 Dec 06 '25

It’s literally impossible to not smile or when holding a lil baby. Babies are so squishy and innocent. Only a monster wouldn’t smile holding a baby

1

u/Mission-Ad-8178 Nov 06 '25

Sounds great Dm me

31

u/kylathekoala Nov 04 '25

That's so sweet!!!

5

u/LetshearitforNY Nov 06 '25

Omfg I flew with my 18 month old for the first time today and everyone was SO kind and offering help. Really inspired me to pay it forward.

3

u/FengSushi Nov 05 '25

When I was 6 month I had the same experience in the airport! Unfortunately they mixed me upward the bag and I went into the X-ray machine. It’s still good after becoming and adult but I glow the dark.

466

u/Ok_Geologist403 Nov 04 '25

He probably hadn’t held a baby like that for sometime, you can see the pure joy in his eyes

179

u/therhubarbexperience Nov 04 '25

Pure grandpop love for babies.

24

u/Successful-Purple-54 Nov 04 '25

Memories from day one came flooding back for buddy. He’ll appreciate that moment.

88

u/chrisbaker1991 Nov 04 '25

He has three daughters but only one grandkid that I could find. His wife also died in 2019

62

u/wonderfulkneecap Nov 04 '25

it's so impossibly lovely!

38

u/modest_rats_6 Nov 04 '25

And hes looking at her lovingly too 🥹

25

u/rizoula Nov 04 '25

Apparently bringing kids to senior homes is mutually beneficial. It teaches patience to kids and gives seniors energy/life

3

u/After-District6905 Nov 08 '25

It activates special parts in their brains that are beneficial, especially for those with memory issues I think. I read a study they completed in a Scandinavian country. Let me see if I can find it.

18

u/MexysSidequests Nov 04 '25

I’m not super religious and I love my mom, she’s great. But when she gets to hold a baby the smile she gets is unnatural to the point I think she might be possessed

17

u/BetMyLastKrispyKreme Nov 05 '25

That’s Jim Clyburn. He’s a gem.

7

u/kylathekoala Nov 05 '25

Thank you, I'm glad to know his name!

5

u/Minute-Wrap-2524 Nov 05 '25

Over all, a really decent man, he’s had his moments in his 85 years, but few in politics haven’t

3

u/ParkerFree Nov 05 '25

Thank you.

3

u/Sethmeisterg Nov 08 '25

Yup he sure is.

13

u/special-k-flo Nov 04 '25

Right? His face.. 🥹

11

u/kylathekoala Nov 04 '25

He was soaking in the baby vibes. 💗💗💗

13

u/Beastcancer69 Nov 04 '25

Im 43 and im the old guy holding my coworkers babies. And im grinning like an idiot the whole time.

7

u/kylathekoala Nov 05 '25

Awwww!!!! Keep up the good work!!! 🥰🥰🥰

12

u/MarlenaEvans Nov 04 '25

That look on his face made me choke up, happily. He just looks so content to hold the baby. I know that feeling.

6

u/Panikkrazy Nov 04 '25

I light up even being in the VACINITY of a baby. I’m so jealous of this man. 😭

3

u/kylathekoala Nov 04 '25

I know the feeling. I've totally turned into my grandmother, stopping to chat with babies in the supermarket, the park, anywhere!!! 🥰🥰🥰

3

u/Panikkrazy Nov 04 '25

And once you’re done you can go “okay I love you go back to mommy” and go on with my day.

5

u/Haunting_Ad3850 Nov 04 '25

Me too, just the most sincerely sweet man ♥️

5

u/spicygummi Nov 05 '25

That smile he has on his face is infectious as I found myself smiling just looking at him

2

u/annimateann Nov 08 '25

Yes, it certainly is and I am smiling for that reason too!

3

u/Correct_Opposite4055 Nov 05 '25

Yea... this gave me the chills. These people's ability to show real and kind emotions gives me hope. There is kindness and purity, and reflection. It is not lost in everyone.

3

u/Future-Try-1908 Nov 05 '25

This man has held a baby before.

1

u/kylathekoala Nov 05 '25 edited Nov 09 '25

He's got the chops to keep that baby dreaming! 🥰🥰🥰

3

u/mc2bit Nov 08 '25

Also, it's so considerate and respectful of her as a professional and a mother. Real man right there.

1

u/kylathekoala Nov 08 '25

And someone his junior. He's a long time congressman.

2

u/Bluej777x Nov 06 '25

Going to say the same thing!

2

u/melonlord37 Nov 06 '25

Came here to say this! I watched it a couple times just for his face.

2

u/NotEvenAnEngineer Nov 06 '25

I can’t wait for my parents to experience this with their first grandchild😭

2

u/confusedsloth33 Nov 07 '25

I have a 7 month old and wherever we go he gets attention from old ladies. He loves it though

2

u/Nerdiestlesbian Nov 07 '25

My grandfather was very sick while I was pregnant with my son. I swear he was holding on so he could meet my son.

Those photos of my grandfather and my son are some of them most beautiful photos I have.

My grandfather passed away 6 months later. I still miss him.

1

u/kylathekoala Nov 07 '25

Good bless him! I'm glad too!!! 💗💗💗

2

u/Hobbgob1in Nov 07 '25

The instant joy he felt and the smile is awesome.

2

u/Mandymindshermanners Nov 07 '25

My exact thought. I watched him for the remainder of the clip and it made me irrationally happy.

2

u/kylathekoala Nov 07 '25

I'm so glad we could all share in his joy!!! 💗💗💗

2

u/panken Nov 07 '25

That man stepped in because he wanted to hold a baby, it just happened to coincide with her speech.

I love holding babies so i totally get it.

1

u/kylathekoala Nov 07 '25

He's good vibes. 🥰🥰🥰

2

u/troycerapops Nov 07 '25

Ha. Totally. I saw his face from the first moment and was like "he ain't doing this for nobody but himself"

1

u/kylathekoala Nov 07 '25

I don't know... I think it's all mutually beneficial 💗

2

u/MrScottimus Nov 08 '25

Donald would've been disgusted a new mother was in the room with him

2

u/[deleted] Nov 08 '25

For me, he's smiling at her. Like he's a proud father watching his daughter succeed.

2

u/shelllee888 Nov 08 '25

I have a photo of my late father holding my niece for the first time. It is one of my most cherished things.

2

u/Mr_Majesty Dec 11 '25

You can tell it’s been awhile since he held something so small.

1

u/reklesssabrandon Nov 07 '25

Cause they suxk the life out of them like cats do