When Do Babies Start Smiling And 7 Activities To Encourage It

Image: iStock

Babies start to smile from the time even before they are born. Yes, you read that right. During the 11th week of pregnancy, your baby can smile and make complex facial expressions while still in the womb (1). These smiles, known as reflex smiles, may continue for a few weeks after birth as well. But from when do babies smile after birth?

Read on to know about when babies start to smile, ways in which you may encourage them to smile, and what smiling says about your baby’s development.

When Do Babies Smile?

Babies begin to give a reflex smile from almost when they are born. Reflex smiles are smiles triggered by certain stimuli or events. You may notice a smiling reflex when the baby relieves in the diaper, or you may notice the baby smiling in their sleep (2).

A baby progresses to a happy social smile at around the age of two months (3) (4). A social smile is a true smile that the baby shows in response to a parent’s voice or smile. By four months of age, babies use social smiles often to engage and gain the attention of those around them (5). It is not uncommon for a four-month-old to spontaneously smile at people around them for interaction.

Sharing how a baby’s smile is an important milestone, Dr Rachel Andrew, a consultant clinical psychologist, says, “One of the first things that babies do naturally is smile. At first this is not in response to stimulation – but by about eight to 10 weeks old it is. Babies laugh spontaneously soon after, and from about three months, most babies will laugh at their environment. This suggests that humor, smiling, and laughing are part of our early natural development. For babies and children, it often develops further as part of a social interaction – laughing is a way of engaging others and connecting via a shared experience (13).”

Did you know?

Seeing a baby’s smile could activate certain regions of the maternal brain, including those that inhibit negative emotions (10).

How To Encourage Your Baby To Smile?

The simple, playful moments you share with your baby are often sufficient to encourage them to smile. You may try the following activities to achieve your baby’s first smile and have them smile often.

1. Talk to them in baby language: Speaking to the baby in an excited, high-pitched tone, using stretched vowels, a playful rhythm, and simple words or sounds can capture their attention and get them squealing in joy.
2. Smile at them: Studies show that children develop social milestones in response to reinforcement from parents. This means that a child may use social smiles to initiate interactions with people more frequently if they see their parents smile in response to a smile from them (14). 
3. Play peek-a-boo: Peek-a-boo is a game alternating between a surprise and a joyful reveal. It playfully encourages object permanence. When played with toys and playful sound effects, this game can elicit big smiles and giggles from babies.
4. Maintain eye contact while talking: Eye contact allows babies to feel engaged and connected to their caregivers. It also allows them to focus on the secure bond between themselves and the caregiver and learn how to react appropriately to different situations.
5. Enact what you speak: Babies gradually learn to repeat people’s actions and expressions between three and nine months. Thus, adding gestures to your words may foster an entertaining non-verbal conversation or game of copycat that induces a smile on both your faces (15).
6. Laugh with them: Babies tend to respond to laughter more readily with a cute interpretation of their own. According to pediatrician Dr. Allison Mangini, “Laughing is the way your baby gives you praise for what you’re doing—for paying attention, taking care of, and loving them. It’s an innate way for them to tell you’re doing a good job (16).” Thus, laughing with them may convey a similar appreciation to the child, eliciting more laughter.
7. Make funny voices or faces: At three months, babies may smile, coo, and produce happy gurgling sounds to get your attention. Responding to such sounds with happy expressions and funny sounds may encourage them to learn to converse with you, eliciting more smiles or laughs (17).

What Does A Baby’s Smile Say About Their Development?

A research study suggests that the grinning and smiling of a baby may help understand their emotional development and social skills (6). Research notes that babies may smile when they observe certain actions or events they perceive as humorous, even if no one around is smiling. Understanding your baby’s social cues is an essential part of parenting. Infant smiling may suggest healthy cognitive and social development, indicating the baby’s brain can detect humor or develop amusement independent of their parents’ reaction.

Did you know?

A study revealed that infants begin timing their smile purposefully to make their mother smile for longer by the time they are four months (11).

It has also been shown that infantile smiling helps release certain hormones in a baby’s body that aid in their brain development and overall development (7). In addition, receiving smiles and giving them back in return may become the stepping stones for your little one to learn how to be social, bond with others, and have good relationships.

What To Do If The Baby Isn’t Smiling?

Early childhood is a vital time for baby developmental stages such as physical and emotional development including baby facial expression. If your little one is not smiling or showing signs of early grins or changes in facial expression by the end of two months of age, it does not necessarily mean that there is some problem.

The rate at which developmental milestones in a baby’s first year are reached may vary from one baby to another. Preterm babies develop according to their gestational age. So a smile may be naturally delayed in them. Even in full-term babies, each child doesn’t develop a social smile at exactly the same age. This could be either due to social factors or medical reasons. For instance, a baby may not develop a social smile if they have never experienced a positive response to smiling during their initial attempts (14). Studies indicate that children with autism may not necessarily develop a social smile or may experience a delayed milestone (18). Therefore, if your baby does not show any signs of smiling even in their third month, it is advised to consult a pediatrician. Even that may not indicate a problem with your child’s development, but then, the doctor is the best judge.

Infographic: Effective Ways To Encourage Babies To Smile

Your baby’s smile is one of the most precious things in your life, but sometimes it can be challenging to get them to smile. The following infographic presents practical tips to encourage your baby to smile. So start implementing these techniques and cherish your adorable baby’s cute smiles!

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: When Do Babies Start Smiling And 7 Activities To Encourage It

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Discover how baby smiles offer insights into healthy development and aid in understanding a child’s growth and progress.

Was this article helpful?

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our nurturing community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with fellow parents.

Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Shaon MitraMD

Dr. Shaon Mitra is a consultant pediatrician and neonatologist with 17 years of experience. She is attached to several hospitals in Kolkata, West Bengal, including Bellevue Clinic, ILS Hospitals Salt Lake, and Park View Superspeciality Hospital.

Read full bio of Dr. Shaon Mitra

Sanjana BhattacharjeeMSc

Sanjana did her post graduation in Applied Microbiology from Vellore Institute of Technology, India. Her interest in science and health, combined with her passion to write made her convert from a scientist to a writer. She believes her role at MomJunction combines the best of both worlds as she writes health-based content based on scientific evidence.

Read full bio of Sanjana Bhattacharjee

Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University.

Read full bio of Rohit Garoo

Vidya TadapatriMSc (Biotechnology)

Vidya did her post-graduation in Biotechnology from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Her interest in scientific research and writing made her pursue a career in writing, in which she now has over five years of experience. She has done certified biotechnology-related training programs under renowned organizations such as Centre For Cellular & Molecular Biology and Department of Biotechnology.

Read full bio of Vidya Tadapatri