10 month old stopped smiling

[Mumlife2026]

Hi everyone,
I’m hoping to hear from anyone who has experienced anything similar with their little ones, as I’m becoming increasingly concerned about a few things with my just turned 10-month-old son.
Firstly, I’ve noticed that he doesn’t seem to smile as much as he used to. He was previously quite smiley, particularly when we’d get him up from his cot in the morning, but now he will often just moan or seem quite serious. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to get a smile out of him, you really have to try. And socially, he will not smile.
I’m also concerned about some repetitive movements he makes with his arms and legs. He frequently flaps them, particularly when sitting in his highchair or when lying down and sometimes when being held.
He also rubs and pulls at his ears and I’m not sure whether this could be related to anything.
In terms of communication, he’s only really just started babbling. It’s still quite inconsistent. He will occasionally mimic sounds we make, but it’s very much on his own terms.
He does make eye contact, but if being held he will avoid the close eye contact, he watches us and will reach out to be picked up.
We’ve spoken to our health visitor, who has said they will review him again when he turns one, but I’m finding it difficult not to worry in the meantime.
I’m not necessarily looking for anyone to diagnose anything, but I’d really appreciate hearing from parents whose babies have shown similar behaviours,
Did things improve as they got older?
Thank you!

Has he recently had any changes eg starting nursery? Sometimes it can be an adjustment phase

Yes, he started three weeks ago, which has been a big struggle too. He’s refusing milk and food there and is very clingy. He wasn’t really showing any separation anxiety, but now will cry at drop-offs. We also get no smiles on pick up.

If you have concerns, bypass the HV and speak to your GP.

Have you had his hearing checked if he’s pulling at his ears?

I done this and they said speak to your HV, frustrating

He has been referred to audiology, awaiting the appointment

Keep calling audiology for a cancellation appointment.
Take some videos of him so you have a record of how he is. Record every four weeks to track.
Ask nursery what they think.

It could very well be this then, he may need time to adjust as it’s a big thing for him. Is his key worker nice ? Was a long time ago now but when my ds was little he struggled with nursery and became a bit withdrawn and less smiley / chatty for about 3 months.

that’s a great thought. I didn’t even consider that. Yes, key worker is good, they say all he really wants to do is be held by someone. But he’s definitely also become a lot more clingy at home since starting which I didn’t relate to starting nursery.

Has the GP checked for ear infections? Sore ears would definitely make him sad.

Both my DS and my best friend's DD went through a clear phase of no longer smiling at people, it was under 1. It was like they were just no longer easily impressed 😅 and repetitive movements is normal. It's good to get ears checked but it's unlikely to be anything other than maybe an ear infection. They do go through phases. And toddlers do get absolutely obsessed with stuff, it's all a phase.

As pp have said get his ears checked as pulling at them is a classic sign of an ear infection. Why has he been referred to audiology though? Does your GP suspect glue ear or hearing loss?

Sorry to hear you are worried, OP. You sound like you have good plans in place with the audiology appointment and HV planning to assess at age 1. I can't think that this could be anything that needs an immediate response other than the hearing, and you are on the case with that. Did this start with the onset of nursery or had it already begun? I'm not suggesting nursery has 'caused' anything, but changes of routine can have all sorts of effects.

It would be great if you could somehow agree with yourself not to worry about this between now and an audiology appointment/HV review as this may well be just a developmental phase and even if it isn't, worrying is a problem in itself. I think you are very on it to have noticed. How mobile is he at home?

Get his ears checked but otherwise sounds like a normal phase particularly with adjusting to nursery. Assume it's your first / only as well as you have noticed this so closely.

The loss of smiling and the repetitive arm movements sound worrying. Please look at some videos of Infantile Spasms/West Syndrome, and if it looks similar, get to a paediatric A&E.

hopefully it’s nothing.

Thank you for your response. I think possibly it has come on we’re starting nursery but it’s really hard for me to know for sure. He’s crawling around and pulling to stand

Really hope so. Yes, it’s my first and since noticing these things I’m just watching him like a hawk which is caused so much anxiety. I just want to enjoy him without all the worry.

Crawling and pulling up to stand sounds like he is doing all he should on that score. I was a pretty laid back first time mother but I did make my friend, who is an OT, look at my DD at 18 months when she wasn't walking yet. OT friend very kindly got her to do a few things and reckoned she had small feet but was doing all the right things and was correct.

I think you are right to notice things and get some assessments but try not to worry. I would keep in touch with your HV about a review at 12 months though as I think this might put your mind at rest.