Does my new kitten like me?

I recently got a new kitten, Einstein, but I'm not sure if he likes me. Whenever hes running around and playing, he lets me pick him up and give him a few quick kisses, and then continues what he's doing when I put him down. He also lets me kiss his belly, and face when he's sleeping. He never lets me hold him for more than 5 seconds. He plays with my hair, my feet, and he's batted at my face a couple times, one time with his claws kind of out, and he clawed at my ear twice. He bites my fingers and digs his claws in a little hard. I don't sleep put him with me when I sleep, but when I wake up he's next to me. He's still a little scared and hides under my bed when I come into the room. Its just weird, sometimes it looks like he likes me, the next minute he looks like he's scared. Any thoughts? Anyone with experience handling cats? He's my first kitten, I've only had dogs so it's harder for me to understand his behavior/body language. 

Hi Herman,

Congratulations on the new kitten. I don't think you have anything to worry about, he's just being a kitten.

You said that you pick him up and give him a few kisses when he is playing, but the reason he just goes back to what he was doing when you put him down is because he is in play mode. It would be better if you tried to engage him in play. Wand toys are great for this. Soft ball and toy mice are also good, lots of kittens like to play "fetch". When he's worn out form playing he'll be a lot more responsive to pets.

Young kittens aren't sure of how to use their teeth and claws. (We call this the love bite stage.) He probably doesn't realise he's hurting you. When he does this try making a high pitched little squeak, the way another kitten would. Sure, you feel kind of silly, but a loud voice can scare a kitten so the best way of letting him know this hurts is to squeak at him.

Get to know his body language and use it to let him know you're his friend. Rather than looking at him too hard, give a couple of slow blinks then look away. this is how cats tell each other that they aren't a threat. He'll soon start blinking back at you.

Let him know that you're coming into the room by talking to him softly before you open the door. Don't go straight to him, put your bag or coat down, still talking to him, sit down and give him a few slow blinks and let him come to you. When he's got used to you he'll start greeting you at the door. For now he's still getting used to this huge giant that lives in his space. It's only natural for him to be wary of you when you first come into a room, but once he's got used to you and your routines he'll be fine.

Let us know if you need any more help