A–Z Glossary

Reflex smile

A reflex smile is an early newborn smile-like facial movement that occurs spontaneously rather than as intentional social communication.

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When babies smile by month

When babies smile by month

What counts as a baby's first smile? In the first weeks of life, caregivers often notice a fleeting smile while a baby is asleep, drowsy, passing stool, or settling after a feed. These early expressions are commonly described as reflex smiles. They are normal, but they do not necessarily indicate that the baby is responding […]

Why babies smile randomly

Why babies smile randomly

Early smiles are often spontaneous, not social In newborns, a smile does not always mean the baby is expressing pleasure in the adult sense. Early facial smiles are frequently spontaneous, endogenous events that arise from immature nervous-system activity rather than from an external social cue. They can appear briefly and vanish just as quickly, which […]