As with other skills, the degree of skill that a villager has as a parent is an indication of how much "kissing" experience they have. Their experience level does not indicate the presence of a baby. If a breeding attempt is "successful" you will see the baby appear in mom's arms and her status on the "Detail" screen will show that she's nursing. The villager who initiates the encounter gains the experience, just as a villager who forages for berries gains experience as a farmer.

There are many approaches to playing the game, and the one you suggest is certainly a reasonable one. Those two puzzles require little in the way of research or skill, and are easily accomplished early in the game.