Maturing love involves growing from a state of receiving much and giving little toward a state of cheerfully giving everything and demanding nothing in return. This whole process is a part of maturity. A baby must be loved or it will die. It receives love, but it has none to give in return. The cuddling which mothers interpret as an expression of love is really only the baby's intuitive effort to get food and gratify self.
Newborn babies love only themselves.
As the baby grows, however, he becomes more aware of his mother. She cares for him, feeds him, and provides companionship for him through most of his waking hours. This new awareness involves growth and development. A child's first expressions of affection will therefore usually be directed to his mother. Soon the father comes into view, and the child's world broadens to include this new authority figure.