LO is 10 weeks and still not smiling responsively

ckred27

LO is 10 weeks and still not smiling responsively, like when he sees us. He was 4 weeks premie, so i know it would be a lil late, but now im getting worried! Anyone else having late milestones??

niki.jones5582

I think it was right around two months that we really got a smile dont worry sometimes premie's are a little slower befor you know it he'll be smiling at everything

Luv2teach719

Does he smile at all?  I really think that is the most important.  Does he smile when you smile at him?  Emma doesn't smile every time she sees us or even every time I smile at her.  And I remember DS didn't do that either.  

someflower6

even if your baby wasn't 4 weeks premie, i don't think 10 weeks is an unreasonable time to not be smiling. i think you hear a lot of mom's "brag" (for lack of better word) that their baby started smiling at 3, 4, 6 weeks, etc, and not a lot of moms want to admit that their babies aren't smiling responsively at 8, 10, 12 weeks.

how often your baby smiles, especially this early in life, is not a reflection of how happy he is. also, keep in mind that your perception may be skewed because you expect a big goofy grin everytime he sees you. he may not be doing that, but that doesn't mean he's not responding to you and it certainly doesn't mean he isn't "happy" to see you. at this stage, he's still trying to figure out what to do with his face. you're doing a great job mama, hang in there!

Luv2teach719

I agree with someflower (she helped me get over my own hang up on DD smiling).  I think that real responsive smiling doesn't start until later.  DD just turned 8 weeks and has just recently started responsively smiling-like if I am holding her and I smile at her, she'll smile back at me but it's not every single time I talk to her.  I think DS was about 8 or 9 weeks too.  If you are concerned though, it really doesn't hurt to give the doctor a call.  Maybe they will calm you down.  Trust me, I get myself very nervous about things so it sometimes helps to talk to the professional about it-they usually ease my mind!  

  

Ashleygoo

Annabelle didnt start until this past week! Normally we only get a smile if we're loud, obnoxious and smiling wide! I'm sure it'll happen!! Some things some babies get to quicker and others dont! Annabelle cant really hold her head up and hates tummy time! All in due time, my friend.

Mrsmaybebaby

DS is 11 weeks old and was 3 weeks early. He smiles VERY rarely and it's only for a split second. I saw the first meaningful smile a week ago and only 2 or 3 times since.  The pedi said he acts very much like a 8 week old and to take into consideration his gestation at birth when looking at milestones.  He also said that some babies are just more serious than others, it doesn't mean they aren't happy they may just have a less jokester personality. 

I'm right there with you, they will start smiling when they are ready!

EMWindy

Don't worry - you should use the adjusted age for a preemie and milestones.  

Plus, some kids just aren't smiley until later and there is nothing wrong.  My DD didn't smile regularly until like 4 month (we'd get a couple small smiles a week before that).  She was just a grump.  But now she's a happy, advanced almost-2 year old

ckred27

Luv2teach719:

Does he smile at all?  I really think that is the most important.  Does he smile when you smile at him?  Emma doesn't smile every time she sees us or even every time I smile at her.  And I remember DS didn't do that either.  

 

he does it in his sleep, but not in response to anything, like when he sees me or DH or when we talk to him or anything.

ckred27

someflower6:

even if your baby wasn't 4 weeks premie, i don't think 10 weeks is an unreasonable time to not be smiling. i think you hear a lot of mom's "brag" (for lack of better word) that their baby started smiling at 3, 4, 6 weeks, etc, and not a lot of moms want to admit that their babies aren't smiling responsively at 8, 10, 12 weeks.

how often your baby smiles, especially this early in life, is not a reflection of how happy he is. also, keep in mind that your perception may be skewed because you expect a big goofy grin everytime he sees you. he may not be doing that, but that doesn't mean he's not responding to you and it certainly doesn't mean he isn't "happy" to see you. at this stage, he's still trying to figure out what to do with his face. you're doing a great job mama, hang in there!

Thank you! That does make me feel better!

Dani816

we're 7 weeks with no smile (4 weeks adjusted age for preemie). i think preemies are just putting so much energy into growing and catching up that they don't get to the "extra" stuff (like smiling) until later. i'd love to see a smile for my own peace of mind, but i also don't think it's a huge deal. and yeah, some babies are just more "serious" personalities.