How to Get Infants to Smile in a Pageant

A smile can grant a baby higher scores in a pageant.

In most baby pageants, contestants are scored on natural beauty, dress and smile. It is important for a baby to show her personality, by smiling, laughing and giggling in front of the judges to score higher points. Even if a baby is usually social and smiley, she might feel nervous in a new place with many people looking at her, so you might have to try a few different tactics to get your infant to smile.

Instructions

1. Learn the schedule of the pageant a few weeks in advance. A few weeks before the pageant, start to reschedule naps and feedings that coincide with the time of the pageant. Move the feeding or nap by about 15 minutes each day.

2. Make sure your baby is well-rested and fed. Have your infant take a nap before the pageant, and if possible, to sleep until it is her turn in front of the judges. Babies are usually the happiest right after a nap. Make sure your child is also fed before her turn in front of the judges.

3. Practice at home. Find ways your baby can smile the biggest or how to get a giggle from her. Use toys, tickles, a song or dance. All babies are different, find what makes her smile the most. Avoid using the strategy you find to help her smile too often, or she might lose interest.

4. Find out if the pageant will let parents or family members stand behind the judges. If allowed, have a person that the baby knows well to stand behind them to make silly faces, wave or show the baby her favorite toy. A person in the audience can help the baby feel more secure.

5. Tickle your baby while standing in front of the judges. Massage her feet and thighs to get her to smile. Tickle her stomach and behind her neck. Verify rules of the pageant about taking items with you when standing in front of the judges. If allowed, take a feather or other ticklish item to help your baby smile.

6. Whisper to your baby close to her ear. Tell her a story or sing her a song. Hearing your voice will help her smile and feel more secure.

7. Dance with your baby in place. Avoid making a dance routine, but gently move her arms or legs according to the background music of the pageant. Sing the song to your baby if you know it.

Tips & Warnings

• If your child does not like unknown or crowded places remove her from pageants until she is a little older.

References

• Ultimate Beauty Pageanst Guide; Baby Pageants; March 2011
• Mamma Knows; Ten Tips to Make Your Baby Smile; Hanna Trafford; April 2009
• Our Cute Babies; Pageant Basics: What Judges are Looking For; Shauna Smith Duty