7 Weird Ways Narcissists Behave Around Babies

Narcissists rarely say out loud that they resent babies, but their faces tell the story. Watch closely, and you’ll notice quick flashes of tightened lips, rolling eyes, and subtle grimaces that vanish the moment they realize they are being watched. These micro-expressions leak contempt before they can cover it with a fake smile. The irritation always returns when the spotlight is gone. They will smile for the photo, hold the baby for a few moments of admiration, and then quickly hand the child back. When it’s time for a diaper change, they disappear. When the baby wakes crying at night, they are nowhere to be found. They want the applause of parenting without making any sacrifices. And that’s the real divide; they perform love when it’s visible, but when love demands effort in the quiet hours—the 3:00 a.m. feedings, the patience through endless crying—where are they? They vanish. The irritated faces reveal that they just want credit for sacrifice without making one. Who’s making that sacrifice? You.

Number Five: Jealousy of Attention

A baby has a unique power: the moment they enter a room, people light up. Conversations pause, heads turn, and energy shifts toward the child. That simple, effortless magnetism is unbearable for a narcissist because they want all the attention. To them, it feels like theft; they believe they deserve to be the center of attention. So when the baby steals the spotlight, they go crazy. The smile does not reach their eyes anymore; their tone shifts, or they start sulking, speaking louder to drag the gaze back to themselves. They may become quiet or create dramas to reassert dominance. But what truly drives them mad is not just the loss of attention; it’s the purity of the baby’s hold on people. A baby does not have to perform or scheme; they are loved simply for being. That effortless love is something the narcissist has never tasted. They have to claw, manipulate, and act just to earn temporary admiration. Seeing a child draw love naturally feels like salt on their deepest wounds. So the jealousy is not just about attention; it’s about the raw truth that innocence gets what their ego will never achieve: unconditional love.