Baby Surprises and Shockers

Jaw-dropper: When your baby looks into your face and bestows his first "social smile" (one that's not accidental -- say, because he's gassy or test-driving his lips), it's a delicious revelation. "You forget every diaper you've changed," says Roberta Golinkoff, Ph.D., a mom of two who founded and directs the Infant Language Project at the University of Delaware, in Newark.

What it means: As you guessed, it sure doesn't mean anything bad! "It's a way of saying 'I like that, I'm here!' " says Golinkoff. What's nicer, she adds, is that "it's also a sign of pleasure, usually in interacting with you."

Where do you go from here? Do what comes naturally. "Touching and talking to your baby, and smiling at him, gets him going," Golinkoff says.