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Is there any sweeter sound in all the world than a baby's laugh? That's rhetorical, because of course not. Now, thanks to the largest study ever conducted on why babies laugh, we know exactly how to get those little loves to make with the giggles whenever we need a fix.
Researcher Caspar Addyman from the University of London conducted a recent survey of more than 1,000 parents from all over the world and came up with the best research to-date to tell us exactly why and how our babies laugh.
Here are 5 surefire ways to crack your babies up, according to science.
1. They have to be ready
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[/code]A baby's first laugh comes, at the earliest, at about 3 and a half months old. Babies start smiling at about 6 weeks.
2. Tickling
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[/code]Tickling is the top way to get your baby to laugh. But, Caspar found just the tickly feeling isn't enough to get the giggles going. Babies have to see and know that you're intentionally tickling them in order to laugh.
3. Peekaboo
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[/code]A game that makes you a master magician the likes of which Houdini could never match, Peekaboo makes all babies laugh. You make yourself disappear and reappear at will, and babies around the world and across cultures just crack up. It's just one of life's lovely facts.
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4. Stupid parent tricks
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[/code]Much like tickling, babies can tell the difference between when you're performing an everyday task, like putting away groceries, and when you're making something appear and disappear just for their enjoyment. It's only funny when the adult is performing just for them. And for the record, the study said moms and dads were equally able to get kids to laugh.
5. Your Laughter
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[/code]Babies don't just laugh at you, they laugh with you. If you're happy and laughing, chances are your baby will be right there with you.
Image via Ann Thomas/Corbis
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