Your baby is four months old, and by now, you two have shared many bright-eyed gummy grins. Sometime between the ages of four months and six months, your baby’s sweet smiles will become hearty laughs. However, as many as 90% of babies laugh by the time they are three months old.
Beginning as squeaky chirps, your baby’s giggle will likely send you over the moon with joy. Like most parents you will begin spending most of your bonding time with baby finding new ways to share a laugh.
Why does my baby’s laugh sound different from other babies?
Your baby’s high-pitched laugh with squealy inhales may sound very different from what you expect. This is because the vocal cords are not developed fully and flap a little as air passes over them. Not to worry about these dolphin noises. Baby will be bellowing and guffawing soon enough.
The More Laughs the Better
Laughter is a form of communication and a critical part of your baby’s development.
When you laugh and coo with your baby, using the same high pitch and gentle tone, your conversation is reassuring and encouraging, which builds confidence. Kevin Osborn, writer of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Bringing Up Baby, says while crying is baby’s first form of communication, laughing is baby’s first interaction.
Moreover, Dr. Bruce Perry in his article “Bonding and Attachment in Maltreated Children” writes, “holding, gazing, smiling, kissing, singing, and laughing all cause specific neurochemical activities in the brain. These neurochemical activities lead to normal organization of brain systems that are responsible for attachment.”
Giggle, and giggle some more.
You don’t need to go to clown school to become an expert at making your baby laugh. Games like peek-a-boo and making funny noises and funny faces will send your baby reeling with delight. Throw in some tickles and a silly hat, and your baby will shriek and gurgle.
Not only is giggling great for baby, it’s great for you, too. Studies have shown that smiling and laughter actually improve blood pressure and cholesterol readings. Plus, practicing a song and dance to get a laugh out of baby burns a few calories, and who doesn’t need to do that after having a baby?