Every baby’s smile is a tiny miracle. It’s a glimpse of joy: unfiltered and full of hope. A happy baby radiates love, and few moments are as precious as a newborn baby nestled safely in their mother’s arms. Around the world, mums pour their hearts into nurturing these beautiful lives, dreaming of the opportunities their children might have one day.

At Compassion, we believe every mother should have the support she needs to give her baby a strong, healthy start. Our Child Survival Interventions keep mums safe during their pregnancy, as well as helping to ensure their little ones grow up safe, healthy, loved, and full of joy.

We’re celebrating motherhood with a collection of the cutest baby smiles you’ve ever seen. Let their pure joy remind you of God’s faithfulness and the incredible difference love and support can make. Behind every smile is a mother’s journey – one of anticipation and hope, of challenges met with faith, and of gratitude for each precious moment.

So scroll on, enjoy these cute baby pictures, and join us in celebrating and supporting amazing mums around the world.

Anticipation and hope

Hoping can be hard. But God promises that he’s right there with us in the waiting. Ours is not a blind hope, but a trust in a God who cares for us.

Baby Aysllan smiling in the doorway of his home in Brazil

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV): “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Baby Mia with her mother, Dali

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV): “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Baby Santiago sleeping in a blue and white outfit

Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV): “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

The joy of new life

There are few joys like seeing new life coming into the world. And God shares that joy with us and sings over us (Zephaniah 3:17).

Baby Christine sleeping in Mama Juliet's arms

Psalm 127:3 (NIV): “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”

Yasmina is kissing newborn baby boy, Manane

John 16:21 (NIV): “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born, she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.”

Challenges and faith

All journeys have setbacks and obstacles. What we need during those times is a comforter, a healer, and a guide – and that’s what we have in God.

Baby Liam is smiling at the camera as mum, Luz Clarita holds him

Psalm 46:1 (NIV): “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Adjowa is outside happily holding and looking at her baby, Eyram.

Philippians 4:13 (NIV): “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Gratitude and blessings

Gratitude fills our hearts when we witness the beauty of new life. Each tiny hand, each joyful giggle, is a reminder of God’s abundant blessings. And when mothers give thanks and recognise God’s help—even in the midst of challenges—it lifts their eyes, renews their hope, and gives them the strength to persevere with joy.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” (James 1:17, NIV)

Mum Sereyrath is sitting outside the church with her twins, Rochny and Rochna, on her lap

Colossians 3:17 (NIV): “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Emmanuella, in a blue dress and pink birthday crown, is smiling as she sits on her aunt Mawulawoe's lap

2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV): “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

Mums and babies in scripture

The Bible features plenty of stories of amazing mums. There’s Hannah, whose determined prayers for a child were answered. There’s the courage of Moses’ mum, whose quick thinking (and basket-weaving skills) saved him from Pharaoh’s men, setting the stage for the liberation of God’s people. There’s the humble faithfulness of Mary, whose obedience to God brought Jesus into the world, and whose motherly love helped raised the one who would change history forever.

Little children are a gift from God. Jesus himself declared: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14, NIV)

This is at the heart of our mission here at Compassion. It’s vital that we invest in children living in poverty and their families from as young an age as possible. The early years are vital in a child’s long-term development, and the love and support of the local church can make a huge difference that will affect their whole lives.

And you can help make a difference this Mother’s Day.

How you can help support mums in need this Mother’s Day

These cute baby pictures are amazing, but this is far more than just a baby photoshoot. We want to give you the opportunity to help more babies to smile around the world.

For babies born into poverty, the first 1,000 days of life are critical to survival. These gorgeous babies with their adorable smiles are from some of the 29 countries where we’re working to change children’s lives for the better.

Our Child Survival Interventions keep mums safe during pregnancy by providing prenatal and postnatal care, including check-ups, vaccinations, and the presence of a medical professional during childbirth.

What’s more, our intervention programmes help babies reach their first birthday by ensuring every newborn baby receives immunisations, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and growth checks.

Thanks to Compassion’s Child Survival Interventions, you can partner with us as we enable little ones to not only survive but thrive.

A prayer for mothers

God of motherhood, tender and caring –

Bless all the mothers around us,

Those with children

And those longing for them,

Those who are filled with joy

And those who are filled with sorrow.

May they know the light of your love.

God of motherhood, watchful and protective –

Guard all the children and their mothers

Who may be vulnerable, or in need;

Bring them provision and comfort,

Guidance and courage,

Healing and hope.

May they know the light of your strength.

God of motherhood, full of compassion –

We give thanks for mothers,

For motherhood in all its forms.

Help us to cherish the mothers in our lives,

Help us to be families, communities and nations

That protect mothers and motherhood.

May they know the light of your grace.

In Jesus’ name,Amen.

Those were some of the cutest baby smiles we’ve ever seen. And they’re a celebration of life, love, and faith. Let’s continue to support mothers and babies around the world in Jesus’ name – because every child, whether a baby boy or a baby girl, deserves the best start in life. After all, nothing is more heartwarming than a baby face full of joy!