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Original poster

not smiling enough for poor me

14 replies

eenywifemum · 05/10/2006 16:36

Hi all,

I have an 8 week old boy who was 4 weeks premature. He isnt smiling much at all. When he does it is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen but it is so rare and random, not in response to me smiling at him, toys, funny noises, anything. He just doesnt smile. He does have colic which I would imagine doesnt help but I am really upset. I am worried he is unhappy. Is this normal considering he is really only around 4 weeks old, developmentally speaking?

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nailpolish · 05/10/2006 16:36

i odnt think either of mine smile til 5 weeks old

and they were both late

nailpolish · 05/10/2006 16:37

late as in born past due dates

TwigTwoolett · 05/10/2006 16:37

yes

when you see adverts of new born babies on the television they're actually around 3 months old .. because they a) look prettier (newborns are ugly whatever you may think ) and b) are responsive

WigWamBam · 05/10/2006 16:37

It's normal, please don't worry. Smiling always seems to be a bit random at first but he'll soon be beaming his head off.

lulunaticmama · 05/10/2006 16:38

mine didn't smile in response to anything until 7 / 8 weeks - don;t worry....you'll get lots of lovely smiles soon..then wait for the coos!

Iklboo · 05/10/2006 16:38

Don't worry - he'll soon be grinning at everything.

TwigTwoolett · 05/10/2006 16:39

that said DS was never a smiley baby .. very solemn .. up till about 3 I think ... have some beautiful solemnly posed shots of him .. he looks gorgeous and deep

DD on the other hand has giggled from the age of about 3 months

different kids are different

Original poster
eenywifemum · 05/10/2006 16:39

thanks. I just thought 8 weeks was way too old to not be smiling but 4 weeks is too early so... you know I wasnt sure which one he was.

I just do nothing all day but try to get a smile out of him! Was really worried he was miserable.

OP posts:
marymillington · 05/10/2006 16:40

Mine didn't smile properly, or often, till about 7 weeks. Has made up for it since. Cheer yourself with the sticking out your tongue game (if you do it 3 or 4 times, they usually will).

nailpolish · 05/10/2006 16:42

spend hours looking into his eyes

just you and him

soon enough he will smile every time you look at him

and i second the tongue sticking out game - great fun, and a bonus when they try to copy!

Original poster
eenywifemum · 05/10/2006 16:48

I actually already do the tongue sticking out thing

i was worried he was traumatised by his birth & ensuing events. How paranoid is that?!?

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nailpolish · 05/10/2006 16:49

please stop worrying

they are only this tiny for a very short time

make the most of it

Original poster
eenywifemum · 05/10/2006 16:51

thanks, advice taken on board.

would you believe I already miss him being a NEWnewborn! I would give anything to deliver him again and just hold him when he was so eeny weeny.

OP posts:
kittywits · 05/10/2006 17:40

Some babies don't smile much, my second hardly ever smiled, ever

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