The answer to whether boy babies smile less is nuanced and depends on the context, particularly their age and who they are interacting with. According to the provided research, the smiling behavior of boy babies changes over time.
Here’s a breakdown:
- At two months: Male infants smiled more at their mothers than at strangers.
- At three months: Male infants smiled about the same amount at both their mothers and strangers.
| Age | Smiling Behavior |
|---|---|
| Two Months | Smiled more at mother compared to strangers. |
| Three Months | Smiled about the same amount at mother and strangers. |
In comparison, female infants smiled significantly more at strangers than at their mothers at both two and three months. This indicates a difference in social smiling behavior between male and female infants, especially concerning how their smiles are directed toward familiar versus unfamiliar people. Therefore, it's not a simple yes or no answer. The smiling frequency and target depend on the baby's developmental stage and gender.
