What Can A Baby’s Smile Tell Us?
Most of the signs or sounds that a newborn baby makes are generally adorable. But there is one thing that stands out: a baby’s smile. When we see such a little creature smile or giggle, it awakens our innermost feelings. And then it is highly contagious!
But what does a baby’s smile really tell us? Oddly enough, depending on their age and the situation it arises in, they may be trying to express completely different things. It’s a bit like when they cry. Since they still cannot use words, it is a way of communicating their wants and needs.
Sometimes they cry because they are hungry. Other times because they have flatulence or colic. Or maybe because they need a clean diaper or need to sleep. Therefore, just as it is good to know why they are crying, it is also good to know what a baby’s smile means.
For the first few weeks, a baby’s smile is a reflex
According to several studies, a baby’s smile is a reflex in the first weeks of life. It occurs in an innate, involuntary and automatic way because it is something that is predetermined in us. The muscle responsible for this sign is the risorius muscle and it is only present in humans.
This means that the little ones smile without there necessarily being a reason for them to do so. It is enough for them just to hear a pleasant sound or to see their mother’s face. In many cases, a loving look can be enough to make them smile.
But as the child gets older, it becomes a response to a particular stimulus. There has to be something specific to trigger it, and it’s a way to express an indefinite number of emotional nuances. Let’s see what a baby’s smile means as the months go by.
At 2 months of age, a baby’s smile is an expression of well-being
Two or three months after birth, a baby’s smile will begin to be an expression of their well-being. They smile when they are satisfied and only when all their basic needs have been met. It is the clearest sign of harmony and joy. So if your little baby is smiling, you can be sure that it is a sign that everything is going well.
It is also a flexible response because they can show it in many different circumstances. An example of this is after breastfeeding when they realize that they are no longer hungry. Another example is after a nice, warm bath as they feel clean and comfortable.
They may also smile when they wake up in the morning after a good night’s sleep, or when their parents pick them up to play with them.
From the fourth month: The conscious smile
After day number 100 in their lives, and until they are about 6 months old, the so-called “conscious smile” will occur, and it is selective and preventative. It is now a response to an external stimulus that generates pleasure or recognition. It is a sign that they are getting used to the daily care routine.
This smile can occur on the background of their mother’s voice, a bed or by someone approaching them and smiling. It should be noted that at this stage the baby already knows how to distinguish between a familiar face and a stranger. Because of this, they are not so kind to strangers and they reserve their smiles for just family members.
Let’s assume the baby likes something and smiles. At that moment, if the adult smiles back, then they will do the same. Therefore, little by little, this action will become a wonderful source of joy.
The first action that usually makes a baby laugh is when someone reaches out to them. They will also laugh when an adult makes funny faces or plays “peek-a-boo” with them, hiding behind their hands and then quickly removing them.
But at the same time as they start smiling consciously, the opposite also happens, at the age of 4 months. It is at this point that the child will begin to learn to express himself by crying, to express his discomfort.
At 6 months of age, there will be several different types of smiles
Once the first 6 months have passed, babies can now make different types of smiles, depending on what they want to show; joy, fun, approval, etc. As they grow, their perceptions and feelings will become more precise.
This variation in a baby’s smile demonstrates the wealth of emotions that a baby feels. Thanks to this development in their emotions, these infectious giggles we love so much will start to show up.
Little by little, they will begin to learn how to make others laugh, through their experiments with words, the chatter, or their signs and body language. By doing this, they strengthen their social skills, and they begin to have a desire to be in the middle of it all, and take part in all kinds of games.
From 9 months to 1 year: The baby is fully aware of his smile
At 12 months of age, a baby’s smile is enriched to such an extent that they already use it voluntarily in response to predetermined stimuli. It’s a perfect, social smile that they use to show that something has made them happy, made them laugh or surprised them.
At this point, they also know when not to use it. It can be when they feel fear, pain or anger, for example.
It is important when a baby smiles that an adult responds in a pleasant and friendly way. They can answer it with another smile, a hug, a hug or a play. It is the best way to form a loving bond and attachment. It is also a way of showing the child that the person in front of them is unique and loves them deeply.
