Baby Not Laughing at Peek-a-Boo
Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, PhD, CCC-SLP · Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Content reviewed against published CDC, AAP, NIH guidelines
Last reviewed:
Speech and communication milestones vary widely, and worries about baby not laughing at peek-a-boo, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Most babies start showing delight during peek-a-boo between 6 and 9 months, when they develop "object permanence" - the understanding that things still exist when hidden. If your baby isn't laughing at peek-a-boo yet, consider their age and overall social engagement. Some babies prefer other games, and some show enjoyment through smiles or excited movements rather than laughter. What matters most is whether your baby is socially engaged with you overall.
Key takeaways
- Most babies start showing delight during peek-a-boo between 6 and 9 months, when they develop "object permanence" - the understanding that things still exist when hidden. If your baby isn't laughing at peek-a-boo yet, consider their age and overall social engagement. Some babies prefer other games, and some show enjoyment through smiles or excited movements rather than laughter. What matters most is whether your baby is socially engaged with you overall.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is under 6 months and doesn't react to peek-a-boo yet - they haven't developed object permanence.
- Call your doctor if: Your baby is over 9 months and shows no interest in social games, combined with limited eye contact, no smiling at people, and no babbling or vocalizing - this combination warrants a prompt developmental evaluation.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
This is one of the most common questions parents ask. Searching for answers means you care.
What Parents Should Know
According to CDC, AAP, NIH guidelines, most babies start showing delight during peek-a-boo between 6 and 9 months, when they develop "object permanence" - the understanding that things still exist when hidden. If your baby isn't laughing at peek-a-boo yet, consider their age and overall social engagement. Some babies prefer other games, and some show enjoyment through smiles or excited movements rather than laughter. What matters most is whether your baby is socially engaged with you overall. At 0-4 months, very young babies don't understand peek-a-boo yet because they haven't developed object permanence. When you hide your face, it essentially disappears for them. They may enjoy face-to-face interaction, cooing, and social smiling, but peek-a-boo is not expected to be meaningful yet. Keep playing it - you're laying groundwork for when they're developmentally ready. It is generally considered normal when your baby is under 6 months and doesn't react to peek-a-boo yet - they haven't developed object permanence. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby is over 9 months and shows no interest in social games, combined with limited eye contact, no smiling at people, and no babbling or vocalizing - this combination warrants a prompt developmental evaluation.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
0-4 months
Very young babies don't understand peek-a-boo yet because they haven't developed object permanence. When you hide your face, it essentially disappears for them. They may enjoy face-to-face interaction, cooing, and social smiling, but peek-a-boo is not expected to be meaningful yet. Keep playing it - you're laying groundwork for when they're developmentally ready.
4-6 months
Around 4 to 6 months, some babies begin showing early interest in peek-a-boo - they may watch intently and smile when your face reappears. Full laughter during peek-a-boo is not always present yet. Your baby may react more to the playful tone of your voice than to the game itself. If they're smiling socially and engaging with you, they're on track.
6-9 months
This is when most babies start genuinely enjoying peek-a-boo - laughing, anticipating the reveal, and sometimes trying to pull the cloth away themselves. If your baby is 9 months and shows no response at all to peek-a-boo or similar interactive games - not even a smile or a look of anticipation - mention it to your pediatrician, especially if they're not engaging socially in other ways either.
9-12 months
By 9 to 12 months, babies should enjoy interactive social games and show anticipation. They might initiate peek-a-boo themselves or play it with a blanket. If your baby shows no interest in any social games at this age and also isn't making eye contact, pointing, or waving, a developmental check is warranted. But if they enjoy other games and just aren't a peek-a-boo fan, that's okay.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed baby not laughing at peek-a-boo and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is over 9 months and doesn't respond to peek-a-boo or any social games - no smiling, no anticipation, no engagement.
- Mention if your baby doesn't seem to notice or care when you hide and reappear - this could suggest difficulty with social engagement.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby is under 6 months and doesn't react to peek-a-boo yet - they haven't developed object permanence.
- Your baby watches peek-a-boo with interest and smiles but doesn't laugh out loud - some babies express enjoyment more quietly.
- Your baby prefers other games (like being bounced or tickled) over peek-a-boo - different babies find different things funny.
- Your baby laughs at peek-a-boo sometimes but not every time - the element of surprise fades with repetition.
- Your baby enjoys social interaction, makes eye contact, and smiles responsively, but peek-a-boo specifically doesn't interest them much.
- Your baby is over 9 months and doesn't respond to peek-a-boo or any social games - no smiling, no anticipation, no engagement.
- Your baby doesn't seem to notice or care when you hide and reappear - this could suggest difficulty with social engagement.
- Your baby rarely laughs at anything, not just peek-a-boo, and seems generally unresponsive to playful interaction.
- Your baby is over 9 months and shows no interest in social games, combined with limited eye contact, no smiling at people, and no babbling or vocalizing - this combination warrants a prompt developmental evaluation.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice baby not laughing at peek-a-boo — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is under 6 months and doesn't react to peek-a-boo yet - they haven't developed object permanence — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-4 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Talk, read, and sing to your baby frequently. Narrate daily activities to build language exposure.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your baby is over 9 months and shows no interest in social games, combined with limited eye contact, no smiling at people, and no babbling or vocalizing - this combination warrants a prompt developmental evaluation.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is baby not laughing at peek-a-boo normal?
When should I call the doctor about baby not laughing at peek-a-boo?
When is baby not laughing at peek-a-boo normal?
What causes baby not laughing at peek-a-boo?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about baby not laughing at peek-a-boo?
Is baby not laughing at peek-a-boo normal at 0-4 months?
Is baby not laughing at peek-a-boo normal at 4-6 months?
Should I go to the ER for baby not laughing at peek-a-boo?
Does baby not laughing at peek-a-boo go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Baby Not Laughing at Peek-a-Boo.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed baby not laughing at peek-a-boo and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is over 9 months and doesn't respond to peek-a-boo or any social games - no smiling, no anticipation, no engagement.
- Mention if your baby doesn't seem to notice or care when you hide and reappear - this could suggest difficulty with social engagement.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby is over 9 months and doesn't respond to peek-a-boo or any social games - no smiling, no anticipation, no engagement.
- Your baby doesn't seem to notice or care when you hide and reappear - this could suggest difficulty with social engagement.
- Your baby rarely laughs at anything, not just peek-a-boo, and seems generally unresponsive to playful interaction.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby is over 9 months and shows no interest in social games, combined with limited eye contact, no smiling at people, and no babbling or vocalizing - this combination warrants a prompt developmental evaluation.
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of baby not laughing at peek-a-boo are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby is over 9 months and shows no interest in social games, combined with limited eye contact, no smiling at people, and no babbling or vocalizing - this combination warrants a prompt developmental evaluation.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
Was this page helpful?
Related Speech Concerns
Accent vs Speech Disorder in Bilingual Toddlers
When toddlers grow up hearing more than one language, they naturally blend sounds, patterns, and accents from both languages. This is normal and healthy, not a speech disorder. A bilingual child may pronounce some sounds differently than monolingual peers because they are learning the sound systems of two languages simultaneously. True speech disorders affect both languages equally, while accent influence appears only in specific sounds borrowed from one language to another.
Ear Fluid Affecting Baby's Speech Development
Chronic or recurrent middle ear fluid (otitis media with effusion) can temporarily reduce hearing by 15 to 40 decibels, which is like hearing through water. During critical periods of language learning, this muffled hearing can impact speech and language development. If your baby has frequent ear infections or persistent fluid, discuss the potential speech impact with your pediatrician.
Will Ear Tubes Help My Child's Speech?
Ear tubes (tympanostomy tubes) can restore normal hearing by draining persistent fluid from the middle ear. Many children show speech and language improvement within weeks to months after tube placement, particularly if hearing loss from fluid was contributing to their speech delay. However, ear tubes alone may not resolve all speech delays, and some children benefit from speech therapy alongside tube placement.
Baby Failed Newborn Hearing Screen - What Now?
Failing a newborn hearing screen does not necessarily mean your baby has hearing loss. Many babies who fail the initial screen pass on follow-up testing. However, it is critical to complete follow-up testing by 3 months of age. If hearing loss is confirmed, early intervention by 6 months of age leads to significantly better language outcomes.
Baby Using Jargon but No Real Words
Jargon babbling, which sounds like your baby is having a conversation in a made-up language, typically appears between 10 and 14 months and is a positive sign that your baby is learning the rhythm and melody of speech. Real words usually emerge from jargon over the following months. If no real words appear by 16 to 18 months, a speech evaluation may be helpful.
My Baby Is Losing Words or Skills
If your child was consistently using words and has truly stopped, this is something to act on promptly. Regression - the genuine loss of skills a child previously had - is different from a normal plateau or a toddler being too busy to talk, and it always warrants a conversation with your pediatrician sooner rather than later.