When Do Babies Start Laughing?

There’s not much else in this world that’s as precious as a baby laughing, but before you get your camera ready, let’s find out when do babies start laughing?
No matter how young they are, your baby probably makes you laugh all the time.

But even though you’re the most important person in their world, it might be a few months before they get in on the joke as well.

So, when do babies start laughing? We’ve got everything you need to know about this adorable (and hilarious) milestone here.

In this article: 📝

What age do babies laugh?

So, when do babies start laughing out loud? We’re talking a full-on, heart-warming, contented baby belly laugh.

Before your little one can get the giggles, they have a few other skills to check off their list:

• Social smiling (as in, because they like the person they’re looking at, not because they have gas)
  
• Recognizing voices, faces, and tone
  
• A few of their first sounds, from gurgles to coos
  
• And a basic understanding of object permanence can help too. This is the realization that something is still there even if they can’t see it right now, which is also the reason that peekaboo never really gets old.

When should baby laugh?

If they’ve got these other milestones mastered, most babies will laugh in response to something you do at around the age of four months.

But can a baby laugh at two months? Theoretically, it’s possible.

Babies can smile as soon as six weeks and, unless your baby is a very stern soul, there’s no reason that laughter can’t follow.

Do babies giggle at three months? Lots of giggles are probably well on the way – it might just be that you haven’t figured out their sense of humor yet!

And when do babies laugh in their sleep? Probably around the same time they start laughing because they think you’re great.

Babies usually laugh in REM sleep – the phase of sleep when they’re dreaming, learning, and processing the things they saw that day.

In essence, babies laughing in their sleep is a way of trying out new skills when they’re also snoozing. How’s that for multitasking?

If you’re feeling like you’re waiting forever for your baby to laugh, bear this in mind: if they’re not giggling by the time they’re six months old, it might be time to mention it to their doctor.

This is especially true if they’re slow to make eye contact as well – or they don’t follow objects with their eyes, don’t show signs of recognizing people, or are generally not very vocal.

How do I make my baby laugh for the first time?

There are lots of things you can do to encourage your baby’s first laugh, and if anyone can figure it out, it’s you.

You know their favorite toy, you’ve got their favorite song word-perfect, and you know when they’re at their most relaxed.

But also, babies have a weird sense of humor.

Your best stand-up routine might not do it for them yet, and it’ll be a few years before they develop a sense of irony.

But if even your best knock-knock jokes are bombing, here are some things to try:

• Tickle them, kiss them, or blow on their hands and feet
  
• Try some nose kisses, or nuzzle their neck
  
• Blow raspberries on their tummy
  
• Smile, laugh at them, or make some funny faces
  
• Play peekaboo
  
• Sing a funny song with actions
  
• Or, who knows – maybe all you have to do is drop your keys when you’re trying to get in the front door…

Our best advice? If you really want your little one to giggle, your chances are best when they’re awake and alert.

If you try it when they’re hungry or tired, even gentle tickles could be overstimulating and you’re more likely to end up with a cranky customer on your hands.

So, get your tickling fingers (and the video function on your phone) ready for your baby’s first laugh.

We hope you get your giggles soon.

👶 More baby milestones:
Your Guide to Baby’s First Haircut
When Do Babies Lose Their Hair? And Why?
Baby Growth Spurts: What are the Milestones?
When Do Babies Start Cooing?
When Do Babies See Color?
When Do Babies Sit Up?
When Do Babies Start Teething?
When Do Babies Stop Spitting Up?
When Do Babies Get Kneecaps?
When Do Babies Grow Hair?
When Do Babies Clap?
When Do Babies Start Dreaming?
What Are the Different Stages of Crawling?
When Do Babies Get Tears?