Stages of a baby’s smile
Nothing melts a mom’s heart more than a baby’s smile. But this gummy grin doesn’t just happen overnight. There are “developmental stages” as his smile goes from a reflex reaction to true socialization and the first sign of a sense of humor.
0 to 6 weeks
At this stage your baby’s smile is actually..gas. It’s not a true sign of social interaction, and may often occur while your baby is sleeping (or just about to fall asleep).
6 to 8 weeks
Your child’s smile is now a real response, is not just a quiet burp. He is now more aware of the world, having better vision and now able to establish eye contact and respond to stimuli (like mommy’s raspberry kisses). However, this response is still involuntary: he’s not quite sure why he’s smiling, but he is.
2 to 3 months
Your smart baby’s figured out that smiling is a way to get you to continue doing something that pleases him. He’s happy to interact with you, and to show affection and joy.
From social butterfly to snob
Your baby will smile at everyone and everything when he’s around six months old. But towards his first birthday he may become more selective, and he may even cast a disapproving glance at people he doesn’t know (the first signs of stranger anxiety). He’s now able to differentiate people and situations and is a sign of healthy emotional development.
