First social smiles are getting closer
Reflex smiles are turning into shared ones
By The Millie's Team · Parenting Notes
Around week eight, your baby is beginning to recognise faces more clearly. Those early reflex smiles gradually turn into social ones that feel shared.
What is happening
Your baby's vision is sharpening, and their brain is making stronger links between seeing your face and feeling safe. A social smile is a smile that comes in response to you, rather than to wind or sleep. It is one of the first clear signs of two way connection.
Is this normal
Yes. Some babies offer big, easy smiles by now. Others save them for quiet moments with one or two trusted people. Both are normal. The timing of the first true social smile varies, and a baby who smiles a little later is not behind.
What you may notice
- Smiles that arrive when you talk or sing to them
- Bright eyes and a softer expression when they see you
- Small sounds, like coos or gentle gurgles
- Longer, calmer eye contact
What helps right now
- Plenty of face to face time during calm moments
- Talking, singing, and pulling gentle faces
- Pausing to give your baby time to respond
- Treating early smiles as the start of a conversation
What to expect next
Over the coming weeks, smiles will become more frequent and easier to draw out. Soon you may hear the first real coos in reply, and the back and forth of early conversation will start to take shape. For now, every small smile is a sign that your baby knows you and feels safe with you.