Does it Take Early Babies Longer to Smile?

[MintGreenLife]

My DS is 7 weeks and was born at 37 weeks. I was aware babies start socially smiling around 6 weeks. Saw the health visitor today who seemed a little concerned he hadn’t started smiling yet. Said to give him a couple more weeks ‘before we start to worry’. Surely it’s reasonable to expect a baby that was born early to be slightly behind at this early stage? Would love to know when others’ LOs started to smile?

37 weeks is technically full term, and it’s usually only pre-term babies who need timescales adjusted for milestones. However, you have absolutely nothing to worry about - babies usually start smiling between 6 and 8 weeks, so your baby isn’t at all unusual. And even if they are a little later, that’s normal too! All babies develop in their own time.

I think your HV has expressed herself a little clumsily and meant to reassure you but had the opposite effect. But I really wouldn’t worry - I’m sure you’ll be getting lots of lovely smiles very soon.

@BaringasMare thanks so much for your reply. He was only just born at full term (37+1 - I was induced due to pregnancy complications) although I actually knew the date given at my dating scan was 4 days ahead as I was charting my temperature to track ovulation, so technically he was premature. It’s good to know it’s normal not to have smiles yet. I’ll keep trying and hopefully we will get that first smile soon, can’t wait 😊

Have a look at milestones.and.motherhood on Instagram she's just posted exactly this!! it's totally normal to take them a little longer. Even though people don't use corrected age for 37 weeks I'd still make allowances as that's still three weeks less inside than a 40 week baby

My baby was 7 weeks premature and didn’t smile until 13 weeks so 6 corrected. I know 37 is technically term but I have a friend whose second baby came at 37 weeks and it took her 3 extra weeks to smile in comparison to her first who came at 41 weeks. I do think it makes a bit of a difference :) I was worried sick about my baby but now he never stops!

@Fredsgirl19 thanks so much, I’ll check that Instagram post out ☺️

@AfterGlow87 brilliant thank you, that’s really reassuring. Great to hear your little one is doing so well! To be fair to my little boy he’s not been having that great a time anyway as had prolonged jaundice and now struggling with silent reflux, so wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t feel like smiling!

My twins were born at 36+6 and didn’t smile properly until 11/12 weeks. It will happen :)

My 12 week old DS was born at 37+3 and he's only really started smiling this last couple of weeks, there's nothing wrong with him he's just a bit of a misery

My ds1 smiled at 10 weeks
Born at 37+3

DC1 39+5 was 5 weeks.

DC2 35+5 was 9 weeks.

Absolutely no need to worry yet! HV used clumsy language.

My DS was a really smiley baby. The smiliest of all my children! He is still super smiley now at 4, smiles at everyone. He didn't first smile til about 10 weeks and I was worried. So was the HV who referred me to the GP. He his face just lit up with it one night when I was trying to get him to sleep!

He was about 2 weeks early but I don't know if there's any correlation), I've never heard that. I think some just take longer x

My 37 weeker smiled at 8/9 weeks. Although not technically premature he has done everything a good month "slower" than his older brother who came at 42 weeks. Seems mad not to correct age at 37+1 weeks but you would at 36+6 etc. Your little one will get there, nothing to worry about

My dd was born 37+2 and was always about 2 weeks behind her milestones despite drs saying she's term. She was also tiny, less than 5lbs. I think she smiled at 9 weeks but only occasionally as she also had bad silent reflux. Wasn't smiling regularly until more like 12 weeks if I remember correctly. Don't worry!

Thanks so much everyone ☺️ That’s all really reassuring. I feel similar - surely if age is adjusted for milestones for 36 weeks it should be for 37 weeks! Looking forward to those first smiles, whenever they happen x

My Little one is born on 37 weeks 2 days. It’s been exactly 2 months (8 weeks today) , she smiles in sleep sometimes however she doesn’t recognise parents faces and smile yet or any social smile yet. Is this normal ?

@Dejag are you in the UK? If you are, I'd ring the HV and ask her to do the 2 months Ages & Stages Assessmentt*.