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Should I Be Concerned About Hearing And Not Smiling?

Posted on Wed, 5 Mar 2025

Question: Hi, my baby is 2.5 months old. She still does not smile socially at me/my husband or her nanny. She smiles at some animal pictures in her room and at her crib XXXXXXX All other developments are on track. She follows objects being moved and also makes direct eye contact. She gurgles and coos and makes conversation when spoken to. When she is excited she kicks her hands and legs. But she does not follow the sound of our voices or smile socially at us. Her hearing test at birth was normal and she startles at the doorbell or cooker whistles. She is almost able to hold her head up as well. Should I be concerned about hearing and not smiling? Her DOB is 10 nov 2020

Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No much worries

Detailed Answer:
Hello ,

Regarding social smile, usually this milestone is achieved in babies by 6-8 weeks. But, since her all other milestones are perfect, let us wait for another couple of weeks. Keep on talking and singing to her- such face to face interactions will promote social development. If no improvement by the age of 3 months, we can do a detailed and formal developmental assessment.

Regarding her hearing, nothing to worry- a normal newborn screening and positive startle reflex is reassuring

I hope this answer will help
Let me know if I can assist you further
Dr Muhammed Aslam, Paediatrician

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T