When Does a Baby First Laugh?

Timing

• Babies begin producing reflex smiles -- brief grins intended to help endear them to their caretakers -- within the first few days after birth. Between 6 and 8 weeks, these early smiles transform into social smiles. These smiles are in response to some stimuli, which may simply be the pleasure you take in seeing him smile. They last longer than reflex smiles and involve the baby's whole face. As early as 2 months, babies may show an even stronger response to social stimuli by producing their first laughs. About 90 percent of babies will give small laughs by 3 months, according to Dr. Iman Sharif in an article on BabiesToday.

Social Development

• A baby's first smile is an important developmental milestone because it represents one of her earliest efforts at interaction. Laughter indicates a baby has become a social being. She can see outside herself and react with happiness to a person or event in her environment. Her first laughs also demonstrate the growth in her communication skills. She is developing a sense of humor and can share it with those around her.

Encouraging Laughs

• Many things can inspire a baby's early laughs. Babies find amusement in silly sounds, such as a squeaky toy, whistling, clicking your tongue, sneezing or hearing you repeat a sound he makes. Games, such as tickling his tummy or playing peekaboo, can encourage giggles. Making a funny face by sticking out your tongue, crossing your eyes or puckering your lips may elicit a laugh. Wearing a goofy hat, singing a children's song with dramatic emphasis or simply laughing along with whatever your baby finds funny are other ways to foster more laughs once your baby has reached this milestone.

Delays

• Babies reach the laughter milestone at different times, so there isn't necessarily anything wrong if your baby doesn't belly laugh by 4 months old. However, sometimes lack of laughter indicates an intellectual or emotional delay or a problem with hearing or vision. Signs that your baby may have a problem that you should discuss with her pediatrician include no smiles or happy expressions by 6 months and no interactive sharing of smiles, laughs and other forms of communication by 9 months.