Babies begin experiencing and expressing emotions from the very beginning, but their emotional development changes enormously during the first few years of life.
From crying when they are uncomfortable to smiling, laughing and eventually showing more complex emotions such as pride or embarrassment, your child's ability to recognise and communicate feelings develops gradually.
So, when do babies start showing emotions, and how does emotional development change as they grow?
Emotions in the first three months
Newborn babies communicate their needs primarily through their behaviour. Crying, facial expressions and body movements can all help you recognise whether your baby is comfortable, tired, hungry or unsettled.
Babies are also very responsive to the people around them. They begin paying attention to familiar voices and faces from an early age and can respond differently to changes in tone of voice, facial expression and interaction.
During these early weeks, your baby relies heavily on you and other caregivers to help them feel calm and secure. Holding them, speaking gently and responding to their needs all provide reassurance while they are still learning about the world around them.
When do babies start smiling?
One of the first emotional milestones parents often notice is their baby's smile.
Newborns may smile reflexively, particularly while sleeping. A social smile, where your baby smiles in response to another person, usually begins to appear at around 6 to 8 weeks, although every baby develops at their own pace.
As your baby becomes increasingly interested in faces and interaction, you may notice them smiling when you talk, sing, pull a funny face or play together.
These little exchanges are an important part of your baby's social and emotional development.
Emotional development from 3 to 6 months
During the next few months, babies usually become much more expressive.
You may notice your baby smiling and laughing more often and showing excitement when they recognise familiar people. They can also become increasingly vocal and use different sounds, expressions and movements to communicate with you.
Babies are also becoming better at responding to the emotions of people around them. Your facial expressions and tone of voice can help them understand whether a situation feels happy, calm or uncertain.
Emotional development from 6 to 12 months
From around six months onwards, babies become increasingly aware of familiar and unfamiliar people.
Some babies may become wary or upset around people they don't know. This is often called stranger anxiety and commonly develops during the second half of the first year.
Separation anxiety can also appear as your baby begins to understand that you can move away from them. They might cry or become distressed when you leave the room or when someone else holds them.
Although this can be challenging, it is a normal part of development for many babies.
At this age, babies still need plenty of help regulating their emotions. Comforting your baby when they are upset does not prevent them from learning to manage their feelings. Your calm presence helps them gradually develop the skills they will later use to regulate their own emotions.
Emotional development in toddlers
During the second year of life, children's emotions become increasingly varied and complex.
As toddlers develop a stronger sense of themselves as individuals, they may begin to experience emotions such as pride, embarrassment, jealousy and empathy.
However, their ability to manage those feelings is still developing. This is one reason toddlers can move very quickly from being perfectly happy to feeling completely overwhelmed.
Tantrums and emotional outbursts are common during the toddler years. Rather than deliberately being difficult, young children are often experiencing emotions that they do not yet have the language or self-regulation skills to manage.
Staying calm, acknowledging how they feel and setting clear, consistent boundaries can help them gradually learn how to understand and express their emotions.
How can parents support emotional development?
You don't need to teach a baby how to feel. Much of emotional development happens naturally through everyday interaction with the people who care for them.
You can support your child's emotional development by:
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Responding to their cries and cues
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Talking and singing to them
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Making eye contact and smiling
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Offering cuddles and reassurance
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Naming emotions as they get older
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Keeping familiar routines where possible
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Staying calm and consistent during emotional outbursts
Feeling safe, comforted and connected gives children a secure foundation from which to explore their emotions and the world around them.
Every child develops differently
Emotional milestones are useful as a general guide, but babies and toddlers don't all develop at exactly the same pace.
Some babies are naturally more expressive, while others are quieter or take longer to feel comfortable in unfamiliar situations. Personality and temperament can make a big difference.
If you have concerns about your child's development or feel they are not reaching expected developmental milestones, speak to your health visitor or GP for individual advice.
FAQs about babies and emotions
When do babies start showing emotions?
Babies communicate feelings and needs from birth through crying, facial expressions and body movements. Their emotional expressions become more recognisable and varied as they develop.
When do babies start smiling at you?
Social smiling commonly begins at around 6 to 8 weeks, although some babies may start slightly earlier or later.
When do babies recognise emotions?
Babies begin responding to facial expressions and tone of voice during their first months of life. Their ability to recognise and understand other people's emotions becomes increasingly sophisticated as they grow.
Why does my baby cry when I leave the room?
Separation anxiety often develops during the second half of the first year. Your baby is becoming more aware of your presence and may become distressed when you move away.
When do toddlers learn to control their emotions?
Emotional regulation develops gradually throughout childhood. Toddlers still rely heavily on adults to help them manage strong feelings, which is why tantrums and emotional outbursts are common at this age.
