X-post: When do infants commence smiling and laughing?
Babies, with their innocent and endearing expressions, are a source of joy for many. But have you ever wondered when they start to genuinely smile or laugh?
While each baby has a unique personality and develops at their own pace, there are some general milestones to look out for.
In the first few weeks of life, babies' smiles are primarily reflexive, often linked to their internal states or REM sleep. These smiles are not conscious or responsive, as explained by Dr. Jacqueline Kaari. So, if you're waiting for a genuine smile from your newborn, you might have to be patient.
However, around the six to eight-week mark, babies begin to smile socially in response to familiar faces, voices, and interactions, indicating intentional communication and emotional engagement. This is a significant milestone, marking the beginning of genuine, intentional, and responsive smiles—also called social smiles.
Around three to four months, babies start showing more emotional expression and laugh out loud in response to stimuli, marking the beginning of purposeful vocal joy. By six months, babies are more reliably laughing in response to social play such as peekaboo, showing intentional and responsive laughter.
This progression from reflexive to social smiling and laughter coincides with the maturation of brain regions like the prefrontal cortex, which governs conscious facial expressions and social responsiveness.
It's important to note that if a baby isn't smiling or laughing, pay attention to their other behaviour as well. Signs such as a lack of response to voice, disengagement with toys, or a lack of interest in exploring their environment might indicate a need to consult a pediatrician.
Early intervention therapies can provide support for babies with developmental issues. If you notice any concerns, always seek professional advice from a healthcare provider.
Remember, every baby is unique, and some may be easier to make smile than others. So, don't be disheartened if your baby doesn't follow this timeline exactly. Patience and understanding go a long way in nurturing a baby's development.
[1] Developmental Milestones: Infancy (0-12 Months) - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [2] The First Year: A Guide to Your Baby's First 12 Months - American Academy of Pediatrics [3] The Developing Brain - Second Edition: How Today's Research Can Solve Tomorrow's Problems - Susan A. Carlson, Bruce D. Perry [4] Your Baby's First Smile - Healthline [5] When Do Babies Start Laughing? - Healthline
- Encouraging family health and mental health, it's crucial to understand that the emergence of genuine smiles and laughter in babies is a progressive process.
- As part of a family's health-and-wellness routine, monitoring a baby's developmental milestones, such as the onset of social smiles around six to eight weeks, can provide valuable insights.
- From an environmental perspective, fostering a nurturing and responsive environment can help reinforce positive emotional engagement, potentially speeding up a baby's progress towards social smiling and laughing.
