Worried about ym 6 month olds social development

[Notallheroswearcapes]

My baby still doesn't laugh.

She cracked a smile at 8 weeks old, and has been incredibly hard work to make smile, that is until the most recent month. Shes started to smile more and more with me and my husband and her grandmothers.

She seems to have a very serious face though, some times appearing very moody or serious.

I managed to get a very brief chuckle when she was about 5 months old and I've barely heard another since, despite all the will in the world. I try everything possible, funny voices, faces, toys, raspberries, singing, bringing the dog in etc. And nothing.

I take her to sensory classes and swimming. No stranger seems to be able to make her smile. I find myself apologising and telling them not to be offended if she doesn't smile, caveating that she just makes you work for it.

I guess the lack of smiling and laughter has been in the back of my mind for some time. Especially if I see other babies her age, and they grin like the Cheshire cat.. I know you're not supposed to compare to other babies, but sometimes its hard not to!

I try to introduce her to other people/babies as much as I can, difficult when all friends are usually working!

Today we went out with friends and their kids, and the other children made a few comments about her, and I guess I've taken it to heart, and they made my concerns feel more valid. They said 'she looks sad' 'why is she just staring at me', and 'She looks bored'. The children tried to engage with her showing her their toys, but she didn't give much more than a serious face, so they lost interest very quickly.

She will smile at her grandparents, but will not smile at her grandad or uncles/aunty, and I know he and others get upset about this, they do try.

I find shes very much a sit back and take it in baby, she's very interested in the world and watching people, handling things to learn about them, opening books etc.

Shes not very verbal either. We can't hold a babbling convo with her. She seems to just suddenly blurt out long ooohs and aaahs, on occasion some other sounds, but they don't seem to be at anyone or anything in particular. Just when she feels like it. Which again, is another concern.

I dont know whether to speak to my HV or am I over reacting and if this is normal? I've even reading into autism in babies.. but I don't know if I'm being daft.

When did your babies smile/laugh, babble?

My four month old is very smiley sometimes but hasn't laughed/giggled yet and quite often will have that solemn stare face. I think it's all quite normal?? They're just learning about the world and the people in it, maybe your LO hasn't decided whether she likes it or not yet 😂

I can't remember when mine started but he was also a slow burner. A very serious little chap for a long time. Very expressive eyebrows and just looked like he was constantly judging everyone. If someone tried to make him laugh he'd just raise and eyebrow at them and go back to what he was doing.

He's full of the giggles now at 18 months and I think a lot of that is to do with the newfound freedom to run and climb everywhere. But he still has a serious side and if he's busy he might deign to give you a pained grimace of a smile and then crack on with more important business.

I think it’s fine, even a good idea, to have a chat with your health visitor about this. They’ll be able to either reassure you or point you in the direction of support.

Hi - literally my daughter is EXACTLY as you described, she has just turned 6 months old and I’ve been Googling and stressing over the whole autism thing . We have had about 2 laughs out of her from really tickling her tummy but that was over a month ago and we haven’t been able to do it since.
She smiles / babbles to us and will happily do the same to my mum but the laugh thing is worrying me - I think she’s just a serious/ shy baby but she has been through a lot - in and out of hospital for the first 4 months of her life which everyone says oh she’s been through a lot but she’s happy in herself now tho ! Just no laughs !

have you had any improvement in the last few months ? @Notallheroswearcapes

I'd say your little girl sounds within normal bounds.

My first hardly laughed at all as a baby. With a lot of work I could maybe get a chuckle once a week. She still isn't a particularly giggly child at 2.5 years - quite often she'd rather snort and declare "that's funny!" - but she does laugh too and developmentally she seems completely normal.

My second is 11 months and also isn't a big giggler, but she's a little more forthcoming than her sister!

hi any update i feel my little ones like this x

Just to say my autistic son who was diagnosed at 2 laughs constantly and did from a very young age. Its not always a sign of that

@Notallheroswearcapes
Hello,
How is your DC doing now?
Thanks

Hello @Notallheroswearcapes I wondered how your little one is doing now?

DS1 was exactly the same. People used to comment how mature he looks (trying not to offend me lol). He was a baby with a face of an 80 years old president who just lost a huge economic deal or something :-D I used to cry a lot to my husband, being frustrated why is my baby never happy, no matter what I do. He's 4.5 y old now, completely normal happy energetic boy, still not fond of smiling out of pleasentary to anyone :-D DS2 actually got a nickname (from local shop owners, parents in the park, doctors, everywhere we go) smiley from 3 months old, that is how much he is fascinated and happy with the world around him. Think the difference is DS2 is just a child happy to engage, DS1 is an old soul, not so easily fascinated with typical childish engagement :-) different personality overall

Hi. @Notallheroswearcapes I wonder how is your dd now? Would be great to have an update!🙏