When will my baby smile for the first time?

While a baby may appear to smile in the early weeks of life it’s likely they’re just passing wind. The first "social smile" tends to appear when your baby is between six weeks and eight weeks old (Healthy Children 2021, WebMD 2021). But, each baby is different, so yours may smile before or after this time.

Until about 4 months of age, babies’ smiles are pretty random. After that you will start to work out what gets them to smile, such as when you’re engaged in a game, or when you pull a silly face or make a funny noise. These smiles are all about the two-way connection you are growing with your little one. They reflect their growing attachment to you.

Even at a very early stage, your baby’s smile means that they’re working out human behaviour. Their brain and communication skills are improving. They feel loved and cared for when you smile at them and they quickly see that smiling captures your attention (Healthy Children 2021, WebMD 2021).

Smiling back at your baby supports their social and emotional development. They feel like they have some control over the world around them and their self-esteem grows (Healthy Children 2021). When you smile at your baby, or encourage them to smile, you are showing them that their feelings are important, and that they can affect the world around them. You also show them that you care about them. All of this can enhance their self-esteem and is vital for brain development.

How can I get my baby to smile?

If you want to persuade your baby to smile and connect with you, look for times when they’re calm and alert. Watch a baby's first three months, captured in two minutes. Hold your baby in your arms, with your faces 20cm to 30cm apart. Smile widely and say "hello" in a warm voice (WebMD 2021).

It can take a few attempts to coax a smile out of your baby, so try not to feel flat if they do not smile right away. If your baby was born pre-term, they may need a few more weeks before they start smiling, too (WebMD 2021).

Some babies may smile past their parents at first. That’s because looking them in the eyes can be overwhelming. Over time, they will learn to hold your gaze for longer (Healthy Children 2021, WebMD 2021).

When should I worry if my child is still not smiling?

If your baby is not smiling yet, and they are around 3-4 months of age, it likely just means that they are developing at their own pace. Once you get past this 4-month mark, it might be helpful to watch for other things.

Not smiling by itself isn’t often a reason to worry, but it could sometimes mean there is a developmental delay. It is important to notice these delays because intervention helps the most when it happens early. So, watch for other things like:

• Not making eye contact
• Not seeking social connection
• Not babbling
• Losing skills they once had
• Floppy or lax body or movements
• Body movements that are jerky or not well controlled
  (van Dokkum et al 2021, Yang et al 2012)

Find out more about when to talk to your GP if your baby is not smiling.