Hearing your baby laugh is one of the most wonderful moments of the first year of life. Whether it’s a giggle or a belly full of laughter, once you hear that sound for the first time, you’ll do your best to hear it as often as possible. Your child is experimenting with sounds from the very beginning. This cooing, screeching and gurgling was the practice for the first burst of laughter, which is a vital step in learning to communicate.

If you’re looking forward to your child reaching this milestone, you’re not alone. The sound of children’s laughter is music to the ears of parents and a sign of healthy development. Find out when to expect your baby’s first laugh, how you can help him detect that sound, and what to do if he doesn’t reach that milestone when expected. Children change rapidly during their first year of life.

Significant stages of development during this period are called milestones. The exact age at which each child reaches their milestones varies slightly, but these developmental milestones help serve as a guide. In this way, milestones can help you better understand when to expect certain behavioral and physical milestones.