After giving birth, many young mothers are faced with constant lack of sleep and chronic fatigue, but all the hardships fade when the baby begins to smile at her.
Baby's first smile
The appearance of the first smile in an infant can be observed within a couple of days after birth, but during this period of life it has a reflex nature and is unconscious. She has no social background and can say that nothing bothers the baby and that everything is fine with him. In most cases, the smile appears during sleep, while bathing, or after feeding.
It takes some time for a conscious smile to appear, since such a reaction is possible only if several dozen facial muscles are simultaneously involved. This requires a certain amount of brain activity. It must ensure the inclusion of emotions, the transmission of nerve impulses to a specific area of the hemisphere and relaxation of the muscle fibers of the face. The child begins to smile consciously at the age of 4-8 weeks.
What can make you smile
The appearance of a smile on the baby's face can be observed at the end of the first month and throughout the second month. Such a reaction of the infant in most cases is associated with the following circumstances:
- A pleasant and exciting action unfolds in front of him, for example, close person starts clapping, sings a song or gurgles.
- The child reacts to the facial expressions of an adult, often the reaction is caused by pictures with an image showing large pronounced eyes or other parts of the face.
The infant acquires the skills to maintain eye contact with adults over time. He learns to respond to unusual sounds and touches, so the smile response is increasingly becoming a response to external factors. The kid cannot listen carefully, but he is positively influenced by affectionate conversations, the inclusion of calm music, the installation of musical funny toys over the bed.
Simultaneously with the appearance of a smile, the baby begins to actively swing his legs and arms, tries to "walk" when his mother or adult addresses him. Such manifestations are usually called a complex of revitalization, in which the infant acquires the ability to record pleasant events for him in the form of an image or sound, and in response to this he shows a reaction. This can be expressed in different ways:
- Smile;
- Joyful screams;
- Physical activity;
- Rapid breathing.
The completeness and strength of the child's reaction depends on the degree of emotionality of the adult, the more it is expressed, the stronger baby reacts. The revitalizing effect is often manifested before communication begins, so the child can begin to smile, make sounds and actively move even before an adult speaks to him. Such a reaction is a kind of call for the crumbs to start communication, over time pushing him to learn. in different ways finding contacts with adults.
It is generally accepted that the revitalization complex is formed at 3 weeks of a baby's life, and the maximum development is observed by 3-4 months and then the baby's behavior becomes unpredictable and more complex. Moreover, if a child by 2 months did not begin to smile, then this is not direct evidence abnormal development, because children rarely grow up "according to the rules." However, many scientists note that the lack of attention and body contact negatively affects the development of the baby. In this case, some of the components of the revitalization complex may be less pronounced, and in some cases even completely absent. Often, children with a lack of emotional contact do not know how to respond with joyful hum.
People close to him can help a child discover a new way of contact with the world of adults in the form of a smile. To do this, it is enough to perform simple actions daily:
- Take the child in your arms;
- Perform gentle stroking;
- Talking gently to the baby;
- Use rhymes, stories for communication;
- Play music more often;
- Smile and show emotion.
Such actions, simple at first glance, can quickly give a result. In response to the efforts of a loving mother, the baby will one day open his eyes and send her a radiant smile, full of trust and genuine joy.
When does a child start to smile? (video)
Young mothers and fathers are often surprised that their baby is "invited" to an appointment with a neurologist. Like, the child is healthy. However, this visit is important. Only a doctor can assess the state of the newborn's nervous system, the specifics of his reactions to the world and see if there are any developmental deviations.
Already a smile?
Well, the first state institution for a new person - a maternity hospital - is behind. The child was brought home and they bend over him in anticipation of a smile. And in fact, a few days after birth, the baby can move his lips a little. But infant smiles not because he saw or heard something funny. It's just that he is warm, calm, comfortable. The same facial expressions can be seen during the baby's sleep, immediately after eating or while bathing.
But if he feels bad (wet, hungry), then crying is immediately heard. Mom eliminated the discomfort - and the corners of the mouth stretch by themselves. Such a reaction is purely physiological: normal conditions cause this facial expression. With his contented appearance, the baby "informs" that he is well. This is the first step in transforming a baby into an intelligent person.
You ask: "When does a child start smiling consciously?" It takes some time for this to happen. For any reaction is preceded by a difficult work of the brain. The kid must learn to recognize the emotions of mom or dad. Then there is a transmission of nerve impulses to a specific area of the brain. And only then a smile appears. This miracle usually occurs within four to eight weeks from the day the baby is born.
Everyone grows in their own way
Moms shouldn't panic if their baby has "never smiled yet." All children are different. And the development of the child is strictly individual. Everyone has a "plan" of physical growth and the formation of mental abilities given to him from above.
As a rule, by the middle of the first month of life, children begin, so to speak, quite "reasonably" to look around, turn their heads. They keep their eyes on the subjects that interested them longer and longer. The first on this list, of course, are the faces of mom and dad, grandmother or nanny who looks after a newborn. And after 30-45 days from the day a new tenant appears in your apartment, you catch signs of joy on his face. This will be the answer to the question: "How many months does the child smile?"
True, not in all cases, but only when his mother sings to him, claps her hands, speaks to him affectionately. It was at this time that the baby stretches his mouth quite justifiably. He also turns his head to some source of sound, and if it is pleasant, he smiles.
It's good to sit on your hands
But now the second month of life is coming to an end. The baby's movements are more and more varied. He lifts the handles up, waves them, stretches. Shows interest in bright toys, looks at them for a long time, touches them.
A little more - and a boy or a girl sitting in her mother's arms will constantly look around. Where exactly? On those stationary objects that are far from them. This is due to the structural features of the visual apparatus. Then they will peer into close objects. And watching a running toy, they express clearly positive emotions. These are the circumstances when a child begins to smile consciously. At the same time, he tries to move, to babble something.
After what stages of development does the moment come when children begin to smile? The kid maintains eye contact with adults for a short time. Has become partial to bright rattles, reacts to different sounds and stroking of adults. All this makes him smile - as a sign of pleasure. And although the baby is still, of course, not able to listen to anything attentively, it is still useful at this time not only to talk to him, but also to turn on music (the same calm classics). Therefore, parents should hang a mobile with multi-colored shifters and a pleasant, quiet melody over the stroller or crib. This is not a tribute to fashion. Such things contribute to the fact that the development of the child will go right.
We develop through a smile
It is impossible for a child under one year old to explain to an adult what he needs. We say this incessantly, bringing our displeasure or joy to the attention of the interlocutor. And babies have one way of communication - crying. As a signal for help. Reasons: something hurts, cold, wants to eat or sleep, lies wet, does not want to be alone in the room. But even in cases when children begin to smile, this is also their "conversation" with us. All the components of the "animation complex" (waving their arms and legs, smiles, babbling) are also forms of their communication, communication.
If until the end of the 1st month the smile is only reflexive, then the general one will appear after the fourth week of his life. It is accompanied by the sparkle of children's eyes. This is how the baby reacts to the appearance of adults next to him. And finally, at the 2nd month, a specific smile is visible. The child completely distinguishes the faces of mom and dad and instantly "responds" to them, respectively.
Come to me!
The toddler lies quietly in his stroller or crib. And then suddenly he begins to smile, seemingly for no apparent reason. Mothers, as a rule, do not pay attention to this. Well, she's not crying! Why rush to him? Meanwhile, the moment when children start to smile is very important. It means one thing: a son or daughter wants to attract the positive attention of adults, their love and care. And having received "feedback", having achieved what he wants, the baby begins to smile - more often and longer.
Here is such a mimic movement - main feature that the end of the stage of "newborn" is approaching, and the transition to the next segment begins - infancy. So for babies, a smile is almost the only means of social communication until the moment when they begin to talk a little.
It is generally accepted that the complex of necessary components, when children begin to smile, is formed from the 3rd week of a baby's life. And the greatest development is observed at 3-4 months. After that, the behavior of the newborn (you yourself will notice) changes to a more complex one. But if by 30-32 days of life the baby has not begun to blur into a smile, you should not panic. This does not mean that his growing up goes at random. All babies are completely different. Rarely does anyone grow on the "official" schedule. And in infants, any manifestation of positive emotions indicates a normally progressing mental development.
Be kinder
However, there is one circumstance. Scientists have noticed that the lack of both emotional and physical contact between the mother and the child is bad for him. Then the components of the "revival complex" in the infant are less pronounced, and some, for example, joyful humming, are not at all. We need to help our son or daughter. How? Very simple.
Take your baby in your arms more often, stroke, kiss, speak gently, sing songs. And the main thing is to smile yourself. After all, it is really happiness to have such a wonderful baby!
From the very birth, the baby often cries for various reasons. Sometimes young mothers from powerlessness can cry with their baby. And it seems that the joyful moment of the first smile on your face will never come. But don't despair, this moment is closer than you can imagine. When a child begins to smile, how can parents not miss this joyful event? We will try to answer this and other questions in our article.
Let's first try to find the answer to the question: why does a newborn smile? At the very beginning of his life, everything happens at the level of innate reflexes. and is completely unrelated to a deliberate act.
The first smile on the face may appear several days after birth. This reaction can be observed while sleeping, bathing or having fun.
Why do newborns smile in their sleep? This can speak of their inner peace and satisfaction. Conscious laughter appears 1-2 months after birth in full-term babies. This is due to the development of muscles on the face, the beginning of the work of the part of the brain that is responsible for this process. It was during this period of his life that the baby begins to consciously recognize relatives and express his reaction not only in the form of crying, but also with a smile on his face.
Complex brain process in the body
This state is a sign of complete calmness and pacification. This can happen during sleep or wakefulness, when the baby is close to a loved one and enjoys it.
Many parents are interested in the question: when does a child begin to smile consciously? For this, it is necessary that the body starts important processes, namely:
- development of the corresponding facial muscles and nerves;
- development of the corresponding area in the brain.
I watch children from their very birth. When asked by parents when babies start to gag and smile, I can say for sure that not earlier than 1.5 months after birth. The onset of this moment is individual for everyone.
The main thing, remember the importance of constant communication between parents and children, because ignoring can lead to very disastrous consequences.
Often, parents do not immediately notice any deviations in the development of the baby and therefore do not seek help. I strongly recommend that you deal with children from their very birth, and in case of the slightest suspicion, contact qualified specialists.
Smiling is the exact opposite of crying when a child is in an anxious state (he is tormented by pain, anxiety, etc.). We advise you to find out the time norms for the appearance of the first tears in the article.
All reactions are activated by the end of the first month of life, and in the second, they are an integral part of behavior, and in order to demonstrate a conscious smile, the baby must reach the age of 2 months after birth.
When a child begins to smile, a complex chain of reactions occurs in his body: with the help of his visual apparatus, he recognizes emotions associated with a certain process (playing with mom or dad, bathing, etc.), then a signal is sent to the part of the brain that responds for relaxing the muscles on the face. This is how the first conscious smile appears.
What can bring a smile to your baby's face?
- playing with mom or other loved one. You can use the game "Ladushki", the story of a funny nursery rhyme or songs;
- as a response to facial expressions in an adult (grimace of parents) or seen funny pictures.
When and why does a newborn start to walk and gurgle
The most dear person in the life of every child is mom. After all, the baby is with her from the very moment of its creation. Many young mothers are interested in when newborn babies start to gurgle? This process also occurs approximately 2 months after birth.
So the child learns the world and talks to himself, begins to gag, pronounces the sounds "a", "o", "I".
It doesn't last long a month after the baby began to gurgle - humming begins.
If a baby knows how to smile, to walk, this means that the development and knowledge of the world around is going on normally. All mothers know when a baby cries - something bothers him. For example:
- a tummy hurts (read how to help your baby with colic);
- he is tormented by hunger or thirst;
- cold or hot;
- restlessness in sleep;
- wants mom to take on her arms and caress.
When a baby smiles, he is calm and happy.... Sleepy baby is a happy baby. This process brings great joy to the mother. What can it mean when the baby starts to walk and gurgle? In this case, the baby learns the world and learns to talk to it. Doctors call it a "revitalization complex."
This also includes chaotic (at first) movements of the arms and legs. With this behavior, the child tries to communicate with his mother, to show that something is bothering him, or vice versa. When children start to gag, they reproduce the sound they hear and like. This can be joined by a smile on the face, twitching of arms and legs.
Ignoring the baby
Constant contact with one of the parents will help the baby to quickly adapt in a completely new world for him and give such a long-awaited smile. If the mother does not react in any way to the signals of anxiety of the newborn, behaves rather coldly and indifferently, ignores the baby, this leads to a delay in its development.
It must be remembered that the full development of her crumbs depends on the mother.
This also consists in reading books, looking at pictures. At the very beginning, the process lasts several minutes until the baby learns to focus his attention. Give your baby a massage every day, do gymnastics.
If mommy is all the time doing household chores or herself and does not pay attention to the baby, this leads to his isolation in the future.
It is required to regularly deal with the baby: singing songs to him, telling rhymes, doing morning exercises and trying to evoke positive emotions.
Principles of Positive Parenting
There are 5 basic principles for parents:
1 Be different or different... You need to understand that each individual child is an individuality and parents must accept this fact and develop their characteristics in them.
2 Everyone can be wrong... This principle states that a baby can make mistakes, and parents must acknowledge and be able to forgive them, every time to give a chance to start all over again. It is then that one can count on correct development.
3 Everyone has negative emotions.... It is worth remembering that when experiencing negative emotions, the baby badly needs the support of his parents. If he receives it, he realizes that he is not alone.
4 Need to want more... According to this principle, you need to give an independent choice in all your baby's endeavors. Only in this case, parents will not be able to suppress, but on the contrary, will develop his individuality and uniqueness.
5 The skill of saying no... This applies to parents who allow their mind too much. You should always be able to stop and prohibit if it could harm him.
The baby has no emotions - cause for excitement
If by 3 months after birth your baby has never smiled, this should raise concerns. This deviation may indicate the development of autism. Pay attention to the Apgar score, which was delivered to the baby at birth.
In this case, you need to visit a pediatric neurologist and pediatrician. They will make the correct diagnosis, or they will dispel fears.
In order to induce a smile, you need to make a minimum of effort: put the baby on his back, bring your face closer to a distance of about 30 cm from his eyes and tell a funny rhyme. In return, you will receive sincere emotions. It is recommended to show bright pictures in books, colorful toys, such as musical ones. Take the time to do it, and as a result, your goal will be achieved.
Each child is a separate person. We are all different in temperament, this also applies to small children: someone smiles often, someone on the contrary. There is no need to force if the child does not have a corresponding desire, all people are individual and show their emotions in different ways.
Conclusion
Young parents need to be patient - a conscious reaction in response to a smile will certainly appear at the right time. It must be remembered that regular development activities will help speed up the process... If by the age of 3 months the baby has not smiled and is not humming at all, consult a specialist. So you can diagnose dangerous pathologies at an early stage.
Watch a useful video that explains the stages of a baby's development by month and the skills he acquires:
After the birth of a child, the rhythm of the mother's life is so exhausting that she does not even think about any joys. All crumbs of energy and strength are given to a helpless baby, taking care of him takes 24 hours a day. A young mother is looking forward to a reward for her work - the first smile of her beloved baby. But do not rush things, because the baby's brain develops according to the natural plan. It will take only a few weeks after giving birth and the mother will know when the baby begins to smile consciously.
Baby's first smile
Many parents claim that their baby began to smile almost immediately after birth. There is a very small grain of truth in this; at the reflex level, an unconscious muscle movement occurs in a newborn. At the same time, it seems to adults that he is smiling, usually this happens in a dream. The older generation even came up with an explanation: an angel kisses a baby in a dream, so he expresses joy with his lips. But the fact is that for a conscious smile, a person needs to use more than 15 facial muscles. A child simply cannot make parents happy with a perky smile at such a small age.
When a child smiles knowingly
At the age of 6-8 weeks, the child learns to make eye contact with loved ones and the surrounding objects. Mom may notice that the baby is staring intently at her face, trying to remember, to react emotionally. When the baby begins to smile consciously, then the complete identification of the parents occurs in the consciousness.
The first facial expressions of lips are a reaction to:
- familiar faces, their facial expressions;
- voice stimuli (lulling songs, affectionate words of the mother, clapping her hands);
- visual perception of inanimate objects (toys with large faces);
- pleasant touch to the body.
The second month of a child's life is crucial for the further development of mental and psychological skills. At this age, the so-called revitalization reflex manifests itself. The kid recognizes the voice of his parents, shows interest in the events around him, rejoices in familiar faces.
Along with the first smile, other signs of the "revitalization reflex" appear - chaotic movements of the arms and legs. In pediatrics, this behavior of a newborn means the normal formation of mental activity.
When the child starts to gurgle
The next stage of development is "humming". Now the baby has already learned to please mom and dad with his sincere smile, to attract attention by intense twitching of the limbs. And suddenly, the parents of a 2-month-old baby do not hear the usual crying, but positive sounds - gurgling. A joyful cry of a baby occurs against the background of some interesting and surprising event for him.
When the child begins to gag and smile for the first time, parents give up all their affairs and run to the call for communication. it the best time to establish contact with the baby, now he is just learning to interact with the people around him. Through motor activity, facial expressions of the lips, gurgling, the baby conveys his attitude to the events he saw and heard. Mom should often take him in her arms, talk, hum different melodies. Her gentle voice will evoke positive emotions, although a toothless, but such a beautiful and sincere smile will shine on the baby's face.
Learning to smile consciously
Parenting responsibilities include the emotional development of the baby, it is worth giving enough time to play with him. Some young parents believe that at this age the baby is helpless, does not understand anything, so they leave him in the crib even when he is awake. This is a big mistake, because without contact with relatives, the baby will not learn to adequately respond to external phenomena, will not be able to show his bad or good mood.
When children begin to smile consciously, it is a sign for parents to start learning the senses. You need to choose the right moment to train your smile. It is better to leave communication at the very peak of wakefulness, when he is full and does not bother with colic. The kid needs to make funny grimaces, tickle the heels, make funny sounds.
By the behavior of the baby, you can determine the willingness to give relatives a smile:
- opens wide eyes;
- often makes sounds (hum);
- fidgets on the back;
- tries to get the object that interests him.
Regardless of what time the baby begins to smile, training should be stopped for a while if his mood has deteriorated. This can be expressed in fussy movements, a wrinkled forehead and curvature of the lips for further crying. At the same time, mom should stop grimacing and singing, take the baby in her arms and just be silent. He needs to take a break from new emotions for him. Parents often entrust the teaching of a newborn to older children, and they are the first to witness a deliberate grin.
What to do if the child is not smiling
Usually, by 2-3 months, children delight everyone around them with their contagious smile. Even the most serious toddler will find something to rejoice at. But if by this age the child does not have the skill to grimace, then this should alert the parents, become the basis for an unscheduled visit to the pediatrician.
Reasons for not smiling:
- Deviations in the development of the cervical spine. The child cannot hold the head.
- Distracted attention and lack of coordination of movements;
- Mental disorders and diseases of the central nervous system.
- Genetic diseases.
Early diagnosis of these deviations gives a chance to correct the child's behavior already in adulthood. Give him the opportunity to develop emotionally and psychologically so that social adaptation is more painless.
Every mother, seeing the first smile of her baby, forgets about fatigue and all unresolved problems. It is such a happiness to watch such a helpless but dear creature. All problems go into the background when the child begins to smile consciously. The main thing is to start a dialogue with a still unintelligent creature, to give him protection and confidence.
Why do newborns smile in their sleep? Look at the contented sniffing little man the whole family is going. It is a pleasure to watch a smile on a tiny face. Although many scientific publications claim that babies do not yet know how to smile, practice proves the opposite. Why do children smile in a dream, what kind of dreams do they see? Read the answers to this and some other questions below.
A newborn baby sleeps most of the day. There are several explanations for this.
- Childbirth and adaptation to new conditions require a lot of effort from the crumbs. Sleep is the best way to recover.
- The infant's nervous system has not yet matured. Its formation continues throughout the first year. The brain develops most actively during REM sleep. At this time, the baby re-experiences all his emotions and sensations. During especially pleasant moments, the child may smile or laugh.
The sleep of a newborn baby is different from that of an adult. The fast phase takes up most of it. In addition, REM and deep sleep change each other quite often. After 20-30 minutes of the fast phase, the deep one sets in. It also does not last long, no more than fifteen to twenty minutes. The next quick segment lasts a little longer - 40 minutes. This happens during the entire rest period.
Since the phase of REM sleep in the newborn predominates, his rest is rich in dreams. Disputes about what the child dreamed still do not subside. Some argue that the reason for the smile of the sleeping baby is the image of the mother's breast. But, most likely, the baby is re-experiencing all the events that happened to him during a short period of wakefulness.
A sleeping child often demonstrates all the problems it has. For example, with colic, he knocks his feet, whimpers. If the baby is suffering from constipation, he will strain and groan. This activity is explained precisely by prolonged REM sleep, a lot of brain work.
The sensitivity of the sleeping crumbs is one of the self-defense mechanisms. The body signals the mother about the problems so that she can take timely action. Also, a weak sleep allows the baby to wake up almost instantly, call for help if such a need arises.
Therefore, if a sleeping child smiles or laughs, this is great. So nothing bothers him. But what can a newborn baby dream about that causes a joyful smile?
Sleep is very important for the development of the newborn. The brain is developing especially actively. Therefore, the main task of parents is to provide the baby with favorable conditions to sleep.
Let us dwell in more detail on what dreams babies have. Why do little children smile and laugh in their sleep?
If the mother is calm, there is no reason for concern, she broadcasts her confidence to the baby. In such cases, it is not uncommon to observe a sleeping child smiling. A completely different picture is if the mother is tired, worried or annoyed with something. The child reads this attitude, and the brain reproduces negative emotions. Such children often wake up, cry, behave restlessly.
Some argue that newborns most often dream of their mother's breasts. Therefore, many do not give bottles and pacifiers to children, thinking that the baby will see a piece of polymer in a dream.
Sometimes, when the baby is asleep, some mysterious phenomena arise. They disturb the parents and make them wary. And not in vain.
There are two main signs to watch out for:
- crying, arising abruptly and just as abruptly disappearing;
- unexpected and abruptly stopping laughter.
The common features of these two phenomena are a sharp onset, an abrupt end, and the fact that the baby does not react to others at these moments. It is impossible to calm him down.
Isolated cases do not pose a threat. Perhaps the kid just "walked" nervous system thus I got a release. It is worse if attacks of sudden crying or laughing are repeated frequently, regularly. In this case, show the child to a neurologist. In combination with restless behavior at other times, they may indicate developmental delay, hyperactivity syndrome, and some other problems with the central nervous system.
Laughing and laughing in a dream can and healthy child... Such laughter, as a rule, anticipates a smile, then light chuckles. Only then does the baby start laughing at full strength. This is a completely natural phenomenon. At the same time, the baby develops according to the norm, eats well, and has phases of deep sleep.
Mother should be alerted by abruptly arising and just as abruptly disappearing crying and laughter. This is a wake-up call indicating some problems with the central nervous system. A pediatrician with a neurologist will help overcome difficulties.
In order for the baby to sleep well, you need to create comfortable conditions for this. What are the parameters that will help you sleep well?
Separately, it must be said about air and clothing. Babies do not sleep well if the room is too dry, stuffy or hot. Their nasal passages dry out, it becomes difficult to breathe. Do not neglect air humidifiers, ventilate the nursery regularly. There should be no batteries or heaters near the crib.
Comfortable clothing is also important. There are no universal recipes here. All babies are different. Some sleep well, tightly wrapped. And some need to feel the arms or legs free. Try it different variants: diapers, sleeping bags, bodysuits, slips, overalls, blouses, romper. Only by experience will you understand what is best for your child.
Sleep is an extremely important part of a newborn's life. In a dream, he spends most of the day. It is important that nothing bothers the baby. If the baby smiles in a dream, this is a good sign. Nothing bothers him, and his dreams are only pleasant.
Create comfortable sleeping conditions for your baby. Cool, moist air, in addition to making breathing easier, helps relieve colic.
