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Toothless Grins
10 Ways to Make Baby Smile
By Renee Roberson
Your baby may get tired of looking at you all day (or maybe not) but bring in an older sibling or parent who's been at work all day and you'll most likely see some real smiles.
This classic is usually a favorite for babies. Use his favorite blanket, hide behind a piece of furniture or do it the old-fashioned way and just use your hands. Whatever the way, you're sure to see lots of smiles from your little one.
There's a reason why the "Tickle Me Elmo" doll sold out at stores several holiday seasons ago. Cross a cheerful, brightly colored stuffed animal or puppet with a built-in silly song and dare your baby not to laugh.
Babies love music and songs, and they love them even more so if it becomes part of their daily routine. "Repetition is the key to bonding," says Dr. Natalie Geary, a pediatrician in New York City and mother of three. "Babies like to see, do and hear the same things so they can feel less anxious and can learn to anticipate the pleasurable experience. If you smile and act delighted by a song or game, and repeat it over and over, eventually they will too."
Along the lines of children's television characters, it oftenseems that family pets are a surefire hit with babies. "Cuddling and hugging my daughter has always been like trying to hug a porcupine – she was always more of a self-entertainer," says Allena Tapia, a mom from East Lansing, Mich. "The funny thing is, it was always animals that got her happy and smiling, even as a wee bitty baby. If we visited somewhere that had a dog or cat, she was quite content to watch and smile at it from her seat."
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