Baby Not Laughing
Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, PhD, CCC-SLP · Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC guidelines
Last reviewed:
Speech and communication milestones vary widely, and worries about baby not laughing, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Most babies laugh for the first time between 3 and 4 months, but some perfectly healthy babies don't laugh until 5-6 months. If your baby is smiling socially, making eye contact, and showing joy through facial expressions and body language, they may simply express happiness differently - not every baby is a big laugher.
Key takeaways
- Most babies laugh for the first time between 3 and 4 months, but some perfectly healthy babies don't laugh until 5-6 months. If your baby is smiling socially, making eye contact, and showing joy through facial expressions and body language, they may simply express happiness differently - not every baby is a big laugher.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is under 4 months and smiling socially - laughter typically comes after social smiling is well established.
- Call your doctor if: Your baby was laughing and smiling and has stopped - any regression in social-emotional responses warrants prompt evaluation.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC guidelines, most babies laugh for the first time between 3 and 4 months, but some perfectly healthy babies don't laugh until 5-6 months. If your baby is smiling socially, making eye contact, and showing joy through facial expressions and body language, they may simply express happiness differently - not every baby is a big laugher. At 0-3 months, laughter isn't expected yet during the first 3 months. Your baby is focused on social smiling (which usually appears around 6-8 weeks), cooing, and learning to engage with faces. These social skills are the foundation for laughter. Some babies may chuckle by the end of this period, but most haven't reached that stage. It is generally considered normal when your baby is under 4 months and smiling socially - laughter typically comes after social smiling is well established. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby was laughing and smiling and has stopped - any regression in social-emotional responses warrants prompt evaluation.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
0-3 months
Laughter isn't expected yet during the first 3 months. Your baby is focused on social smiling (which usually appears around 6-8 weeks), cooing, and learning to engage with faces. These social skills are the foundation for laughter. Some babies may chuckle by the end of this period, but most haven't reached that stage.
3-5 months
This is the typical window for first laughs. Laughter often emerges in response to physical play - gentle bouncing, tickling, or silly sounds. Some babies are more reserved and may grin broadly without laughing out loud. What's most important is that your baby shows social engagement and pleasure in your interactions, not necessarily an audible laugh.
5-7 months
Most babies are laughing by this age, though some laugh rarely. If your baby smiles, coos, and is socially engaged but simply doesn't laugh much, this may just be their temperament. However, if your baby doesn't smile, doesn't seem to enjoy social interaction, or is very passive, it's worth discussing with your pediatrician.
7-12 months
By this age, most babies laugh during play and social games like peekaboo. A baby who has never laughed by 7-8 months and also shows limited social smiling or engagement should be evaluated. However, a baby who laughs rarely but is otherwise happy, interactive, and meeting other milestones may simply have a more serious temperament.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed baby not laughing 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 6 months and has never laughed or chuckled, even briefly.
- Mention if your baby rarely smiles and doesn't seem to enjoy social interaction or face-to-face play.
- 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 4 months and smiling socially - laughter typically comes after social smiling is well established.
- Your baby smiles and shows excitement through kicking, arm-waving, and facial expressions but just doesn't laugh out loud much - some babies express joy more quietly.
- Your baby laughs in some situations (like during physical play) but not in others - this is normal selectiveness.
- Your baby was a bit late to social smile but is now smiling regularly - laughter often follows a few weeks after consistent smiling.
- Your baby is over 6 months and has never laughed or chuckled, even briefly.
- Your baby rarely smiles and doesn't seem to enjoy social interaction or face-to-face play.
- Your baby doesn't respond emotionally to your voice, singing, or playful sounds.
- Your baby seems unusually passive or withdrawn - they don't reach for you or show excitement when you approach.
- Your baby was laughing and smiling and has stopped - any regression in social-emotional responses warrants prompt evaluation.
- Your baby over 6 months shows no social smiling, no laughter, no eye contact, and no interest in people - this cluster of concerns should be evaluated promptly.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice baby not laughing — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is under 4 months and smiling socially - laughter typically comes after social smiling is well established — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-3 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 was laughing and smiling and has stopped - any regression in social-emotional responses warrants prompt 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 normal?
When should I call the doctor about baby not laughing?
When is baby not laughing normal?
What causes baby not laughing?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about baby not laughing?
Is baby not laughing normal at 0-3 months?
Is baby not laughing normal at 3-5 months?
Should I go to the ER for baby not laughing?
Does baby not laughing go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Baby Not Laughing.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed baby not laughing 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 6 months and has never laughed or chuckled, even briefly.
- Mention if your baby rarely smiles and doesn't seem to enjoy social interaction or face-to-face play.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby is over 6 months and has never laughed or chuckled, even briefly.
- Your baby rarely smiles and doesn't seem to enjoy social interaction or face-to-face play.
- Your baby doesn't respond emotionally to your voice, singing, or playful sounds.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby was laughing and smiling and has stopped - any regression in social-emotional responses warrants prompt evaluation.
- Your baby over 6 months shows no social smiling, no laughter, no eye contact, and no interest in people - this cluster of concerns should be evaluated promptly.
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 are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby was laughing and smiling and has stopped - any regression in social-emotional responses warrants prompt 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.
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