When Do Babies Start Laughing?

One of the most anticipated moments for parents is hearing their baby's first laugh. Whether it's a soft chortle, a gentle chuckle, or a full-belly laugh, this delightful sound is truly unforgettable.

From the first month, your baby experiments with sounds—cooing, gurgling, and throaty sighs. Laughter is the exciting next step in their journey of learning to communicate.

When Do Babies Start Laughing?

Many babies share their first laugh around **3 or 4 months old**, though some might take a bit longer. These early laughs are often inspired by simple things, like seeing a favorite toy, pet, or familiar face. These moments are not just delightful for you; they're incredibly rewarding for your baby too. They love hearing their own voice and seeing your positive reactions to the sounds they make.

Once your baby discovers how to laugh, they might do it "just because." Laughter feels good, and it's a fun new sound to produce. Plus, with every coo and gurgle, they're practicing how to move their mouth and tongue to create different sound effects, which is crucial for their language development.

How to Encourage Your Baby's Laughter

While your baby might not have a developed sense of humor yet, they certainly pick up on your comical cues. When they see you smiling and laughing, they're more likely to reciprocate. Here are some ways to encourage those adorable giggles:

• Making funny faces
• Dancing around with goofy moves
• Making silly sounds
• Singing songs
• Blowing raspberries on their belly
• Gently bouncing your baby on your knee

Keep encouraging giggles and coos by talking with your baby often. It might feel a bit silly chatting away to someone whose conversation is limited to gurgles and vowel sounds, but this is how your baby begins to learn language and laughter. By pausing in your chatter, you give them a chance to chime in and test their own voice, while also demonstrating the back-and-forth nature of conversation.

Why Do Babies Laugh in Their Sleep?

It's quite common for babies to laugh or smile while they're sleeping. While it's lovely to imagine they're dreaming of your funny faces, it's more likely that they're in an **active sleep cycle**. During this stage of sleep, babies can make involuntary movements, including smiles, chuckles, and giggles.

What Not to Worry About

Don't be surprised if your little one remains straight-faced at first. Newborns can be a tough crowd, especially if they're close to feeding times or bedtime. Some of your early attempts to elicit a laugh might even result in tears if the timing isn't right or if your baby feels overwhelmed.

Remember, that first laugh is just one part of your baby's ongoing exploration of sound and vocalization. If your 3-month-old is making lots of joyful noises—squealing, chirping, cooing, gurgling—without necessarily laughing, there's generally no need for concern. However, if your baby shows no signs of laughing by **6 months**, it's a good idea to discuss it with your pediatrician.

Laughter is an early step towards socialization and communication. With a little time, your baby will be waving, pointing, babbling, and playing peekaboo before you know it!