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Home › Articles › Behavior › Toothless Grins

Toothless Grins

10 Ways to Make Baby Smile

By Renee Roberson

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It's probably the only thing that can cheer up a tired, grumpy mom covered in spit-up and in desperate need of a shower. Babies often seem to instinctively know when a frazzled parent needs some comic relief and are happy to provide the toothless gums for it.

For some babies, it may take extra coaxing to be rewarded with an enthusiastic smile – others seem to be born more social. Whatever the case, many parents often find themselves exhibiting behaviors they never knew they possessed until their baby came along.

Here are 10 things that are sure to make your baby smile!

1. Blowing Raspberries

It's no secret that babies crave touch. Gently blowing raspberries on those tiny hands, feet and belly are the perfect way to make a baby smile. Before long, you'll realize how influential those raspberries were when your baby starts making the "razzing" sound on her own.

2. Pretending to Eat Those Fingers and Toes

For some reason, like being on the receiving end of raspberries, most babies absolutely love it when a parent nibbles on their feet, fingers or neck. The love of nibbling often lasts well past infancy. Children as old as 2 even enjoy a good toe nibbling every now and then.

3. Silly and Exaggerated Movements

The more exaggerated the face, the better. Babies love attention, and making faces at them, no matter how silly, only reinforces that. There's a reason so many parents work hard to master the art of silly faces after their babies are born. Even something as common as a sneeze can put a smile on an infant's face.

4. Blowing Bubbles

Babies are attracted to the wondrous magic of bubbles, and who can blame them? If you've ever attended a parent-child class you've witnessed firsthand how babies will sit transfixed as the instructor blows bubbles at them, and many will even be inspired to reach and crawl toward the sparkly substance. Better yet, what parent doesn't get stress relief from blowing bubbles, and they provide cheap entertainment that your baby will love.


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