Social and emotional milestones

The first social smile — a genuine response to your face and voice — arrives between 6 and 8 weeks and is one of the great early rewards of parenting. Belly laughs follow around 4 months. Attachment deepens through separation anxiety (peaking around 8 months) and stranger wariness. These aren't setbacks — they're signs your baby has built a specific bond with you. Keep goodbyes brief and consistent, and don't sneak out. By the second year, toddlers show empathy in small ways — bringing a toy to a crying friend, patting a sad parent. This is the foundation of emotional regulation, which develops over the next 3–5 years. Name feelings as they appear to accelerate the wiring.