When Do Babies Start Laughing?

From a smile to a laugh

Early smiles may be small facial expressions. Over time your baby may smile more clearly when hearing your voice, seeing your face, or playing together. A chuckle adds little sounds; a laugh is louder and more sustained. They are related but different social responses.

One morning you may smile close to your baby and hear a tiny “huh” while they look back at you. It might precede a full belly laugh. Each baby has their own laugh and sense of fun.

What about four, five, and six months?

The CDC four-month checklist includes chuckling when someone tries to make the baby laugh, specifying that it is not yet a full laugh. Smiling and occasional little chuckles are examples at this age.

Small chuckles may become clearer at five months, but the CDC has no separate five-month checklist. Laughing appears in its six-month social-emotional milestones. CDC milestones describe skills present in at least 75% of children by that age; they are not a diagnosis.

Why are some games funnier?

Often the delight comes from interaction, not the game alone: your familiar face, a changed tone of voice, or anticipating a small surprise. One baby laughs at a funny sound; another at raised eyebrows or a pause in a song.

If a game prompts a laugh only once, it does not mean your baby dislikes you or the game. They may be hungry, sleepy, distracted, or happy just watching.

My baby rarely laughs—is something wrong?

Some babies show excitement with big laughs; others prefer a close gaze, smile, or gentle sound. Counting laughs during the day is not a reliable way to assess development.

Look at the broader picture: does your baby notice you, look at your face, turn toward your voice, or respond to conversation with sound or movement? These are all parts of early social communication.

How does laughing relate to communication?

Your baby makes a sound, you reply, and another sound follows. Little turn-taking moments help them experience social exchange. Laughter can be part of that, but it is not the only sign of communication.

Your baby may smile at you and then turn away. That pause also communicates something: follow their cues about whether to play more or slow down.

What can you try today?

When your baby is awake, comfortable, and interested, sit face to face. Smile, sing a short song, pause, and watch for a response. If they vocalize, answer with a similar sound so they can help lead the game.

Try a gentle peekaboo by briefly covering and uncovering your face. The CDC also suggests interactive games at four months. Continue if your baby enjoys it; stop if they turn away, fuss, or cry. There is no need to startle, shout, or tickle intensely to get a laugh.

If your baby was premature

For a baby born early, comparing skills solely by months since birth can be misleading. The CDC recommends corrected age for milestones when a baby was born more than three weeks early. Share your baby’s birth history with your pediatrician.

When should you seek support?

Not yet having a big laugh at six months does not automatically mean a disorder. However, very limited social smiling, minimal responses to your face or sounds, or worries about overall communication are good reasons to discuss development with a pediatrician.

If your baby stops showing a social or communication skill they previously used, tell the pediatrician without waiting for the next routine visit. Checklists support observation but do not replace individual evaluation.