Hi moms. My son is now 4 months old and all the books say babies will start giggling around 3 months or so, even sooner. He smiles like crazy, but we have yet to hear that first giggle. We were just in for his 4-month check-up and the doctor didn't seem concerned about it, he just said, "huh, really? I'd think with all that smiling he'd be a big giggler". I'm just really eager and wondering when other moms' babies had their first? Is he slow???
Neither of my kids are/were giggler's as babies.
My son didn't laugh outloud (very smiley, no laughing though) until he was about 9-10mos.
My daughter, who's 7mos old now, has never giggled either. Lots of smiles, but no real laughs and definitely no giggles.
Both are right on track with everything else. DS giggles up a storm and is super happy now (he's 3), and DD just started crawling at 7mos.
Some kids just aren't giggly!
I have learned to try not to compare my otherwise healthy and well adjusted child to others. Our baby giggled - and I mean really laughed - at about 3.5 months. But, he didn't roll over until then either, and some babies I know roll over well before that age. So, if the doc says he is doing well I wouldn't be concerned, especially considering he is smiling and otherwise interacting. Have fun!
Tehehe, maybe he doesn't think your jokes are funny!
Your ped is right. If 6 or 7 months rolls around and still no giggle, well then....
Enjoy him!
:)
Probably start within the next month or so. They all do things in their own
time. Enjoy.
My 4 month old *really* makes us work for it, but she's been giggling for about a week.
My older two were pretty much the same. I REALLY doubt he's slow because he's not laughing yet. I'm sure it'll be any day now.
If you're really anxious though, try tickling him, singing silly songs or making funny 'suprised' faces. You'll feel like an idiot, but it's SO worth it when it works :o)
Perhaps he's a more introspective baby. . . he's laughing on the inside. :) I don't think my son actually started really giggling until he was into his 4th month either. He also refuses to laugh at the same thing twice so its hard to get repeat performances. If your son is smiling and seems like he's having a good time hanging out and observing I wouldn't be too concerned. It sounds like he's decided to be on his own timeline! :)
Mine didn't really giggle or laugh until about 7 or 8 months. Lots of smiles but no outright giggling or laughing. I wouldn't worry about it. Babies do things at different times.
Every single baby is different and laughing is absolutely no indication of whether he is a happy baby. All those milestones are super arbitrary and you shouldn't really take them seriously. Well, if your son isn't reaching any milestones "on time" then you might ask about them, but really, just support him and love him and he'll laugh when he feels like it.
Your son is perfectly fine. All babies are different and some giggle all the time and some just smile. It is a personality thing I think. I have four kids, #1 smiled and giggled early, #2 smiled all the time but didn't giggle until I found a tickle spot at 6 months, #3 both giggled and smiled exactly when the books said she should (the only baby rules she followed believe me), #4 was like #1. You just never know who you have as a little person, be patient, he will giggle for you soon!
Good luck and enjoy!
My mother annoyed me when she use to say that I had a "serious" baby. He didn't really start to smile or laugh until 5.5/6 months. Now - he smiles, laughs, is outgoing and good-natured. The smiles and laughs became more and more frequent as he got older.
my daughter was about 5 months when I really got her laughing one night. i wouldn't worry :)
One thing I learned about being a mom of three girls is not to compare my daughters to other children. If they are doing well on their developmental screenings and you aren't seeing the same "issues" reoccurring at each peds visit then not to worry. Enjoy the great things your child is doing and dwell on those. The others will come in their own time.
I honestly don't remember (it's been so long), but I can tell you that the ages the books give are "averages", generally meaning that about 1/2 of babies reach it before that age, and 1/2 after. So I wouldn't worry (and maybe not go so much "by the book").
I do remember my nephew was a very surly baby, and rarely giggled at all ... and now he's a very healthy and happy (and giggley) 8 year old. So I really wouldn't worry.
