The CDC has recently updated its milestones and tips for parents in 2022. Additionally, a checklist for children aged 15 and 30 months has been included. To learn more about the developmental milestones set by the CDC, please refer to the Pediatrics journal article and take note of these crucial key points.
Your child’s play, learning, speech, behavior, and movement can provide important insights into their development. Developmental milestones are skills that most children (75% or more) can typically achieve by a certain age.
Track the milestones your child has reached by 4 months by utilizing the CDC’s free Milestone Tracker app, available for iOS and Android devices. Alternatively, you can use the Digital Online Checklist or print out the checklist [908 KB, 2 Pages, Print Only] provided below.
“Learn the Signs. Act Early.” materials should not be used as a replacement for standardized, validated developmental screening tools.
It is important for parents to be aware of these milestones in order to monitor their child’s development and seek help if needed. By keeping track of your baby’s progress, you can ensure they are reaching important milestones on time.
What most babies do by this age:
Social/Emotional Milestones
- Spontaneously smiles to attract your attention
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Language/Communication Milestones
- Makes sounds like “oooo”, “aahh” (cooing)
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Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving
- Opens mouth when hungry and sees breast or bottle
- Shows interest in hands
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Movement/Physical Development Milestones
- Holds head steady without support when held
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Additional milestones:
- Opens mouth when hungry and sees breast or bottle
- Shows joy upon seeing you approach
- Smiles when you interact or smile at them
- Keeps an eye on you as you move around
- Focuses on a toy for several seconds
- Lifts up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy
Other important things to share with the doctor…
- Engage in activities with your baby
- Observe your baby’s likes and dislikes
- Note any concerns about your baby’s behavior
- If applicable, communicate any special healthcare needs or premature birth
Concerned About Your Child’s Development?
Act Early.
You are the best judge of your child’s behavior. Do not hesitate to act if your child is not meeting milestones, regressing in skills, or if you have other worries. Discuss your concerns with the doctor and inquire about developmental screening.
If concerns persist:
- Request a referral to a specialist for further evaluation; and
- Contact your state or territorial early intervention program to explore available services for your child. More information can be found at cdc.gov/FindEI.
For additional guidance on supporting your child’s development, visit cdc.gov/Concerned.
As your baby’s primary educator, you play a vital role in fostering their learning and brain development. Implement these simple tips and activities safely to aid in your baby’s growth:
- Respond positively to your baby by interacting with excitement, smiles, and conversation
- Provide safe opportunities for your baby to explore toys and surroundings
- Allow your baby to explore and learn by safely interacting with objects
- Talk, read, and sing to your baby to facilitate future language skills
- Avoid excessive screen time and encourage interaction with people for learning
- Stick to feeding your baby breast milk or formula until they are ready for solid foods
- Offer safe and engaging toys suitable for your baby’s age
- Ensure your baby has time for movement and social interaction throughout the day
- Establish consistent routines for sleep and feeding
- Engage in interactive play and physical movement with your baby daily
We extend our gratitude to the experts and contributors involved in the review and selection of developmental milestones, including Paul H. Lipkin, MD, Michelle M. Macias, MD, Julie F. Pajek, PhD, Judith S. Shaw, EdD, MPH, RN, Karnesha Slaughter, MPH, Jane K. Squires, PhD, Toni M. Whitaker, MD, Lisa D. Wiggins, PhD, and Jennifer M. Zubler, MD.
Special thanks to Natalia Benza, MD and José O. Rodríguez, MD, MBA for their valuable insights on the Spanish translation of these milestones.
Nothing beats the sight of a happy, smiling baby! Are you curious about when your baby will flash their first smile?
Typically, babies start smiling between 6 and 8 weeks old, but you may notice a reflex smile or smirk soon after Baby’s born.
What is a reflex smile?
The early “smile” displayed by babies is often a reflex that begins even before birth and continues into the newborn stage. These reflex smiles, which occur spontaneously, are not considered genuine smiles but are indicators of healthy development!
Typically, reflex smiling ceases around 2 months after birth, coinciding with the emergence of the baby’s first authentic smile.
Infant Reflex Smiles vs. Real Smiles: How to Tell the Difference
A reflex smile is brief and random, happening during sleep or other activities. In contrast, a genuine smile is a response to external stimuli, like hearing a familiar voice. A real smile lights up the baby’s face entirely—there’s no mistaking it!
Tips to Encourage Your Baby’s First Smile
Show them love and affection. Cuddles, kisses, and a gentle tone will resonate with your baby.
Engage in playful activities. Games like peek-a-boo can bring joy and aid in cognitive development.
Keep a cheerful demeanor. Babies mimic those around them, so be sure to smile broadly!
As your baby continues to grow and develop, they will start to show more interest in their surroundings and in interacting with others. They will begin to reach for objects, grasp onto things, and even start to roll over. This is an exciting time for parents, as they get to witness their little one becoming more and more interactive.
During this stage, it’s important to provide your baby with plenty of opportunities for exploration and play. This will help to stimulate their cognitive and motor skills development. Engaging in activities such as tummy time, playing with toys, and reading to your baby can all help to support their overall development.
As your baby progresses from smiling to cooing, babbling, and laughing, it’s important to enjoy and celebrate each new milestone. Remember, every baby develops at their own pace, so try not to compare your child to others. Instead, focus on providing a loving and nurturing environment for them to continue to thrive and grow.
If your baby isn’t smiling yet…
If your baby is not displaying expected behaviors, don’t worry immediately—it could simply be their individual style. However, it’s wise to communicate any concerns to your healthcare provider, particularly if your baby isn’t using sounds or expressions to communicate by 4 months old.
Your baby’s first smile is an unforgettable moment. Curious about when it might happen and its significance? Read on to learn more about your baby’s first smile and how to encourage many more 🙂
In this article:
- Factors that may influence when babies start smiling
- Why smiling is important for babies’ development
- How parents can encourage their baby to smile
When do babies start smiling?
Between 5 to 8 weeks of age, you may witness your baby’s initial smiles. While some researchers consider these as early social smiles, many still view them as instinctive facial movements.
By the time your baby reaches 2 to 4 months, they may offer prolonged social smiles in response to stimuli like touch, voice, or smiles. Genuine social smiles often involve bright eyes and excited sounds from your baby.
Reflex smiling and smirking
Prior to the emergence of your baby’s first social smile, you may notice fleeting expressions resembling smiles. Newborn babies may exhibit smirk-like expressions during naps or after feeding, which are reflex smiles.
### During Sleep
The cute little smiles that your newborn flashes while sleeping are not due to sweet dreams, but are actually reflexive in nature. During the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep phase, babies may make involuntary facial expressions, twitch, and breathe differently.
### Genuine Smiles
Your baby’s intentional smiles are likely to be different from their reflexive ones. Genuine smiles are more prolonged, involving an upward turn of the mouth and slight closure of the eyes. Known as Duchenne smiles, these are communication cues from your baby.
A play mat offers various activities tailored to each stage of your child’s first year. One reason why genuine smiles start to develop at this stage is because your baby’s vision is maturing. Around 2 months old, babies can focus on faces more clearly, interpreting facial features and expressions better.
Smiling at your baby not only enhances their social skills but also triggers a positive emotional response in you, as parents tend to have strong emotional and physiological reactions to their smiling infants.
## Fostering Genuine Smiles
Once your baby starts flashing those first genuine smiles, there are a few things you can do to encourage more:
– **Talk to your baby:** Use a soothing, sing-song voice combined with touch to engage their attention.
– **Engage face-to-face:** Interact with your baby when they are alert, like after naps or meals, through gentle singing or stroking.
– **Incorporate social activities:** Use daily routines like bath time, diaper changes, and feedings to prompt social smiling.
– **Make eye contact and smile:** Eye contact and nonverbal communication help strengthen the bond with your baby.
– **Be playful:** Use funny sounds to elicit smiles and interact with your baby.
– **Work on visual tracking:** Utilize toys to enhance your baby’s ability to follow and recognize objects and faces.
## Embracing the Moment
Witnessing your baby’s first smile is a treasured moment. If you’re wondering when your baby will start smiling intentionally, read on to discover more about their genuine social smiles and how to promote them.
### Smiles in the First Month
In the initial month, you may observe reflexive smiles during sleep, triggered by an unknown internal stimulus.
### Development of Social Smiles
By the end of the second month, reflexive smiles typically transition into genuine, social smiles signaling pleasure and friendliness, a significant milestone in your baby’s developmental journey.
## Social and Emotional Development
As your baby learns to engage socially, they will welcome new experiences and develop crucial social skills for their ongoing growth. If your baby is not smiling at people by 3 months, consult your healthcare provider.
## Final Thoughts
Encouraging your baby to smile is beneficial for their social and emotional development. Responding to their smiles, engaging in play, and maintaining eye contact can boost their self-esteem and communication abilities.