Babies typically start smiling between 6 and 12 weeks of age. While you might see a smile or smirk soon after birth, these are usually reflexive.
Here's a breakdown:
- Reflexive Smiles (Newborns): These smiles happen involuntarily, often during sleep, and aren't a response to external stimuli.
- Social Smiles (6-12 Weeks): These are genuine smiles in response to interaction, such as seeing a familiar face or hearing a soothing voice. This is a key developmental milestone.
- Developing Social Smiles: As babies grow, their smiles become more frequent and expressive, playing a crucial role in bonding and communication.
So, while a baby might smile soon after being born, the smiles we generally associate with happiness and social interaction develop later, usually within the first few months.
