Displays social imitation (for example, reciprocal smile)

Displays social imitation (such as a reciprocal smile)

That will move slightly down in the genuine smile and will not move in the social or false smile.

Social smiles use only the mouth muscles whereas true smiles, known as Duchenne smiles, cause the eyes to twinkle and narrow and the cheeks to rise.

The first social smile usually appears in the second month.

The social smile, when the baby really responds to your smile and their eyes crease, usually appears around the age of 2 months.

Does not have a social smile (smiling back to someone who smiles at them without being cooed or touched)

Social smile: Babies begin having a social smile at around two months of age (3).

Why: Your baby’s first intentional social smile will happen on its own at around 6 weeks.

This reaction was not observed when the subjects looked at pictures of people displaying social smiles.

Infant reflexes; Social development during the first year of life including the social smile and onset of fear of strangers.

Infant reflexes; Social development during the first year of life including the social smile and onset of fear of strangers. ... [-]

A ‘social smile’—a voluntary, conscious smile—cheers us up, whether we are babies or adults.

A social smile encourages bonding and is the early tool of communication between the child and parent.

At around this age, your baby may develop a social smile, which is a huge milestone for all parents.