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Your Baby's Emotional Development: Laughing and Crying
Your Baby's Emotional Development: Laughing and Crying
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Written by Emily Greenberg
Updated over 2 weeks ago

Month four can be an emotional rollercoaster! While your baby's first bout of laughter may emerge, it's also common to notice more crying and fussing this month. We'll provide some high-level context to everyday highs and lows.

That first laugh

You're not the first parent willing to get silly to hear that first real baby giggle. What do babies find funny?

While every baby has a unique temperament, it's common for laughter to erupt over things like:

  • A simple but sudden sound they didn't expect, like the noise of a zipper on your jacket or a squeaky kiss on the cheek

  • Playful interaction, like blowing a raspberry on their tummy or seeing you dance

Joking aside, month four can feel fussier for many families. This can be related to:

  • Early teething

  • Rapid growth and the 4-month sleep regression

  • The onset of "distracted nursing," where baby seems to latch on and off sporadically as they easily get distracted by nearby sights and sounds

  • Frustration during play, in which some activities may be trying while their motor skills are still developing. A grasping toy that falls just out of reach can be tricky!

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