When Do Babies Start Laughing?
If you thought it was exciting to see baby smile, just wait until you hear that first sweet giggle. (It’ll be like music to your ears!) “I was holding my daughter and saying, ‘I’m gonna get you,’ and I’d kiss her between her lips and chin—out of nowhere she gave a huge belly laugh that went on for about 10 minutes,” shares Kim-&-Chris, a community member on The Bump. “I almost cried, it was so cute.” If you’re eagerly waiting to hear that oh-so rewarding sound, you might be wondering, when do babies start laughing—and what can you do to elicit those hearty chuckles? Keep reading to learn more from experts about what makes babies laugh and when it’ll likely happen for the first time.
- Typically, laughing is the next milestone moment after smiling in baby’s social development; it occurs around the time they’re 4 months old.
- How often or even when your baby laughs is dependent on many factors, including their temperament, whether they’re feeling content and how much they interact with other people (like older siblings).
- Babies laugh at new experiences and surprising actions. To make baby laugh, give them raspberry kisses, gently tickle them, play pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo, make silly faces and play with them often.
- If baby isn’t laughing by 6 or 7 months, talk to their pediatrician.
Before they laugh, baby will experiment with early noises, like cooing and gurgling. It’s your little one’s way of using their voice and trying out different sounds, while also figuring out how to move their mouth and throat, explains Elizabeth Gerosa, CCC-SLP, a speech language pathologist in New York City. Those cute precursor noises will eventually lead to laughter and talking. But exactly when do babies laugh and giggle? It usually occurs by the time they’re around 4 months old, but should definitely be happening by 6 to 7 months, says Denise Scott, MD, an Oklahoma-based pediatrician.
My little one laughed out loud (during the day) around 11 weeks. For weeks beforehand you could tell he wanted something to come out. Then, one day I was changing him and started shaking my head like I was dancing to music and he busted out with a huge laugh. It was one of the best sounds I’ve ever heard (but I bet I’ll say the same thing when he says his first word).
Is it your comedic chops or something else that makes your sweetheart break into hysterics? Turns out, babies start to laugh for several reasons. While babies are too young to understand humor in the same way that older kids and adults do, seeing a funny face or hearing a silly voice can cause them to giggle. They may also be reacting to something physical (think tickles and raspberry kisses!), says Russell Horton, DO, a pediatrician with Banner Ironwood Medical Center in Queen Creek, Arizona, adding that baby’s responses will “become stronger as they get older and get more practice laughing and making sounds.”
Baby may also start to laugh to gauge your reaction. Sound plays a key role here, as baby’s eyesight can take many months to fully develop. (Bonus: These early interactions between you and baby lay the foundation for their social development, Horton says.)
What’s more, babies don’t exclusively laugh when they’re awake. Don’t be surprised if you hear a few little giggles coming from the baby monitor after you put your child down for a nap or bedtime. Babies start to laugh in their sleep for the first time around 9 months (or possibly earlier), says Stanley Spinner, MD, chief medical officer of Texas Children’s Pediatrics in Houston. There’s really no way of knowing why babies laugh in their sleep, but experts believe it happens most often during REM and active parts of sleep. During this stage, babies “will produce some involuntary movements, coos, giggles and laughs,” Horton says.
My daughter has been doing lots of cooing, but nothing I could definitively call a laugh. Last night, she was watching her sister (who is 8) do a crazy dance, and she had her first real laughs! What a crazy, joyful sound! I love that her sister is the one that made her laugh for the first time.
Baby laughs reflexively early on. But their laughter becomes more intentional, as they develop and begin to understand more of what’s happening around them. Around the 12-month mark, babies also grasp object permanence (that things still exist even when you can’t see them). This increased understanding can also result in more laughter. Games like peek-a-boo may set off giggles, as well as surprise actions, like repeatedly stacking blocks and then knocking them down. (Since baby now understands those blocks are supposed to be stacked, they’ll find it hilarious to see them fall down.) “As they get older, they develop a sense of what’s meant to be funny,” Horton says.
But not everyone will be able to get baby to laugh out loud. “As babies get closer to 12 months, they start to differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar people, and can develop stranger anxiety,” Spinner says. So if you make baby laugh but a friendly stranger makes them cry, it’s totally normal, and you’ll know why.
Baby’s voice will also change over time, as the larynx develops, adds Gerosa. “It’ll drop and change in intensity, tone and pitch.” Below, some examples of how baby’s laugh may change over time:
“My baby hasn’t laughed yet and I am dying to hear it,” shares Megkins, a community member on The Bump. “I do all sorts of crazy things trying, and I get great smiles but no laughs. It seems like she wants to—it’s just not happening yet. I can’t wait!”
If you, too, are eager to hear that sweet little laugh, there are tons of ways to get baby to giggle. “Let [your] inhibitions go, and have fun,” suggests Horton. Below, expert tips on making baby laugh:
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Use physical play: To tickle baby’s funny bone, try gently tickling their toes, blowing raspberries, giving kisses, gently bouncing them up and down on your lap or playing a game of pat-a-cake.
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Make silly sounds and funny faces: These classics are foolproof ways to set off hysterics. “The more vocal and visual interaction you can provide, the better,” Spinner says. Try to exaggerate movements and perform your playtime antics over and over to make baby laugh.
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Make sure baby’s content: “A fed, changed and content baby is most ripe for laughter,” Horton says. Just like adults, if baby is overstimulated, hungry or tired, odds are they’ll be too cranky to laugh.
Despite all your attempts, if baby still doesn’t laugh, don’t feel bad! “Sometimes, like [adults], they just aren’t in the mood, Horton says—and that’s okay! Give it some time before you try again.
If baby doesn’t laugh by 6 months, Horton recommends flagging it to your pediatrician. “There may be nothing wrong, but it helps with future monitoring and early intervention, if needed,” he says. Some parents may worry about autism, but keep in mind that it’s not something diagnosed in infancy. Plus, it may not be the reason baby isn’t laughing. According to Spinner, not laughing before age one isn’t necessarily a concern, as long as baby is cooing, smiling and generally interacting in a social way with others. Babies develop at their own pace, and it’s perfectly normal for some to laugh later. Plus, some babies are naturally more serious than others and laugh a little less. That said, if you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to bring them up with your pediatrician.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a newborn laugh?
Generally, a newborn baby under 3 months won’t actively laugh. A newborn laughing in their sleep, on the other hand, is a possibility, since this is considered involuntary and not a social reaction.
What counts as baby’s first laugh?
Baby’s first laugh may be a giggle or a slight chuckle, Scott notes. These are usually the sounds you’ll hear as baby works their way up to a big belly laugh.
When do babies belly laugh?
Usually babies start to do a deep belly laugh around 6 months old. “It may be triggered by something not particularly humorous but is delightful to hear,” Scott explains.
Will laughing develop differently for boys and girls?
According to Scott, biological sex has no bearing on how laughter develops.
Can babies laugh at 2 months old?
“Babies don’t usually laugh at this age, but this is when the social smile (smiling in response to your face or voice) develops, which occurs prior to laughing,” Scott says.
How often do babies laugh each day?
There’s no set norm or standard for how often babies laugh each day, as some babies may laugh more than others. How often baby laughs will be dependent on how others engage with them, Scott says. For example, a baby with older siblings may laugh more due to their more frequent interactions.
Why do babies laugh in their sleep—are they dreaming?
Babies laugh during their active and REM cycles of sleep, often due to involuntary movements. “No one knows whether they’re seeing something funny in their sleep or what they dream, but sleep laughter is thought to be involuntary,” Scott explains.
Why do babies laugh at peek-a-boo?
Babies typically start laughing at peek-a-boo around 8 to 9 months, usually because it’s something new and a novel experience for them, Scott notes. At this age, they can also grasp the concept of object permanence which makes the appearance and disappearance of something seem humorous.
When do babies become ticklish?
Babies' neurological system has to mature before they can understand being tickled, Scott explains, and this may not happen until they’re between 4 to 6 months old. That said, babies may not laugh when tickled initially because they may not find the experience to be pleasant. “Tickling can sometimes cause discomfort or distress, so it should be done gently and not continued if baby seems uncomfortable,” she adds. In fact, to hear your little one laugh while being tickled, you may have to wait until they’re a bit older.
You’re no doubt eagerly awaiting baby’s sweet little laugh, but remember that each baby will develop social skills at their own pace. If you’re concerned, reach out to your pediatrician. Otherwise, keep up those play dates with baby and know their charming laugh is coming soon. And get ready—because when your babies do start laughing, you’ll be howling with happiness too!
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Elizabeth Gerosa, MS, CCC-SLP, C/NDT, is a speech language pathologist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.
Russell Horton, DO, is a pediatrician with Banner Ironwood Medical Center in Queen Creek, Arizona. He earned his medical degree from Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University.
Denise Scott, MD, is a pediatrician with JustAnswer and a pediatric endocrinologist based in Oklahoma with over 30 years of experience. Certified in culinary medicine, Scott also runs the blog Feed Future Health and is the author of Feed Your Child's Future Health: Prevent Disease before it Starts. She received her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch and completed her residency at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, with a fellowship at the National Institutes of Health.
Stanley Spinner, MD, is a pediatrician and chief medical officer of Texas Children’s Pediatrics in Houston. He earned his medical degree at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and completed his residency at Baylor College of Medicine.
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