When do babies start to smile?
A newborn may smile during sleep or by chance. A social smile in response to your face or voice often becomes clearer towards the end of the second month.
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A newborn may smile during sleep or by chance. A social smile in response to your face or voice often becomes clearer towards the end of the second month.
The CDC’s May 2026 guide describes skills most babies show by 2 months, including looking at faces, responding to voices and lifting the head during tummy time.
Three months is a transition between the CDC’s 2- and 4-month checklists. Learn what may be strengthening now and which 4-month skills are not yet expected.
Newborns may briefly focus on faces nearby, but steady looking and visual tracking develop over the first months.
Development is not judged by one skill or one day. Look at social, communication, learning and movement progress over time.
Separate early newborn weight loss from later gain, read measurements alongside feeding and nappies, and recognise when assessment should not wait.
Explore your 10-month-old baby’s movement, hand skills and communication, with safe play ideas and guidance on discussing developmental concerns.
Recognise imitation, purposeful exploration and communication at 11 months, with everyday games, safe movement and signs to discuss with a professional.
Consider movement, communication, play and everyday participation together at one year, and prepare observations to discuss at your baby’s development review.