First word a child speaks

What is Baby Babbling?

“Baba”, “mama”, “egoo” These sounds (baby jargon) are known as babbling. Babbling is an essential phase of speech development in a child. In this stage, an infant appears to be experimenting with creating first words but is not quite ready.

Babbling is one way to measure how a child’s language is developing. Language milestones are progress recorded as a child goes through the various stages of language development. These developmental milestones involve hearing, understanding, and the ability to speak (i.e., receptive and expressive language skills).

Stages of Language Development — When Do Babies Talk?

Parents and caregivers often ask questions such as: “When do babies start making sounds?”, “When do babies start giggling?”, “When do babies start cooing?”, “When do babies start babbling?”, «When do babies talk?»

Speech Milestones involve a series of stages that begins with crying, cooing, forming a few words, and culminates in sentences. Note that the following dates overlap and vary from one child to the next and should not be interpreted too rigidly.

BIRTH

Babies communicate pain and pleasure by making sounds.

0-3 MONTHS

The pre-talking stage is the baby’s first sound production (besides crying and sucking). Babies laugh or giggle in response to things in their world. This period also involves the cooing phase; cooing refers to the baby producing vowel-like sounds. The sounds like Oooooooooooo and Aaaaaaaaaaaa are noticeable. Infants make these coos when having face-to-face interactions with caregivers. Babies may use a different cry for different situations.

4-6 MONTHS

In this stage, babies begin to use babbling to include consonant and vowels combinations such as “da, da, da.” They may use their babbling to gain attention and make different sounds to express feelings.

7-12 MONTHS

During this period, a baby’s speech uses a broader range of sounds and syllable combinations in babbling. Young children may attempt to imitate sounds that they hear. They may use simple gestures such as shaking their head no. As they approach their first birthday, first words may emerge.

1- 2 YEARS

In this stage, babies utter their first one word as a means of expressing their emotional state. The child’s vocabulary continues to grow. Here children begin to form words and two-word sentences such as “Baby go” or “More ball.” Your baby’s grammar will not be perfect in the beginning but as they develop their sentences will become longer and sound more adult-like.

2-3 YEARS

In this period, the child’s vocabulary is expanding rapidly. A child goes from a few words to producing statements that are one, two, or three words in length.

The Phases of Babbling

There are three main phases (types) of babbling, with each stage overlapping with the next as the child develops. These phases are:

MARGINAL BABBLING

This babbling usually occurs between 4-6 months of age. During this period, the infants put together consonant-vowel or vowel-consonant sound combinations like “baa,” “maaa,” or “uuum.” Marginal babbling is also called pre-canonical vocalization. It is also accompanied by squealing and cooing.

CANONICAL BABBLING

The canonical babbling period usually spans between 6-10 months of age. This phase can be further divided into two subtypes:

• Reduplicated Babbling: The period when infants repeat the same syllable over and over, such as “babababa” or “mamamama” or “gagagaga”.

• Non-Reduplicated Babbling: In this phase of babbling, the sounds are now more varied. Instead of producing the same syllable over and over, they start to combine different sounds and syllables like “magaga,” “gagamee,” or “gababama”. This type is also called variegated babbling.

CONVERSATIONAL BABBLING

The final period of babbling typically begins at approximately 10 months of age. Babies enter a stage called conversational babbling (baby jargon), including pauses, turn-talking, rhythm, and intonation. It can appear as an adult conversation, e.g., a form of pseudo dialogue. This stage often overlaps with a child’s first word.

Babies First Words

When do babies start talking? Every parent dreams of the day their child will utter that first meaningful word. Soon after the conversational babbling phase, most babies start talking around their first birthday. When babies say their first word, it often becomes a sign of the child’s emerging personality.

Once they start talking, it can become overwhelming for parents to understand what their baby is saying. It is difficult because there are so many words to learn, and they often use short sentences or even one word such as “Mommy” or “Daddy.” Even though they say words, babies may not understand the meaning yet.

The first words are usually one-word utterances. For instance, a child may hear the word “dog” and unconsciously pick it up to refer to a specific dog. Or they may learn it from their parents and caregivers in context. That is why it can be difficult for parents to determine when their baby truly understands how to use a word.

First words are usually grammatically correct because children learn them from people around them who speak with proper grammar. Babies learn to copy everything they hear, so be careful about what you say to your child. Although this may seem like a blessing for parents, it also means that babies pick up bad habits in speaking too. That is why parents need to provide their children with age-appropriate and positive input. This will help them learn to speak properly.

First Word Combinations

• Intrinsic Combination: They make up their combination of two words (e.g., “bye-boo”).

• Extrinsic Combination: When a child uses the first word to modify another word or sentence, such as “mama milk” or “gaga night.”

The Most Common First Words: List of 10 Popular Baby Words

When do babies start saying mama and dada? Babies learn at their own pace, but more than likely, your child will say these simple words before any others. These words are very common and expected!

Baby babble beginning words:

1. Mama: According to linguists, this word is on top of the list of first words that babies learn before any other words. It seems to be instinctive for them to call their mother “mama.”

2. Dada (Daddy): Dada is equally likely to be a baby’s first word as Mama. Why do babies say dada first? Saying dada is easy to sound out for babies.

3. Dog: Another common word in baby babbling, dog or doggie. A baby’s first words are likely tied to how they see the world around them. A child living with a dog is likely to have «dog» as one of their first words since language is related strongly to their visual experiences.

4. Ball: Soon after learning the word for dog, many infants learn the word for ball. They then use it to refer to anything round, such as a bead or an apple.

5. Kitty: Another favorite animal of babies is a kitty! This first word refers to both cats and kittens. When your child starts to talk, you may notice that they are using their own version of terms for a cat or kitten.

6. Bye: Babies pick up the word bye or bye bye because of their frequent exposure to adults saying goodbye to each other. It usually has no special meaning or connotation, except that it marks the end of an activity.

7. Hi: They learn this word in much the same way they learn bye. The difference is that hi is used as a greeting instead of bye.

8. No: This is one of the simplest first words for babies to learn since it only has one syllable and follows the pattern of “yes,” which most children pick up before the age of 1.

9. Mommy: It is a good thing that “mama” was the first word because this one follows right behind it in popularity too! You will hear babies even use this word to call other caregivers.

10. Banana: Bananas are often the first food and babies may see the fruit eaten and shared by caregivers. Babies’ first words usually involve concrete objects in their immediate surroundings, making banana or just nana a popular first word.

The Significance of Babbling in Language Milestones

Babies are one of life’s most precious gifts. However, it seems almost as soon as your little bundle of joy is born, you begin to ask questions like:

“Is my child speech development on track?”, “Is it too early for my baby to start talking?”, “When will my baby say mama or when will my baby say dada?”, the questions are endless and, of course, compelling.

Babbling is a prelinguistic tool, and it serves as a stepping stone to actual words and a key marker of speech and language development. Babbling is vital, and research suggests that when parents/caregivers respond to these initial attempts at communication, it:

• Shows the child what communication is genuinely about. Communication is a two-way affair; one person speaks, the other person listens, and then gives an appropriate response.

• Motivates the infant to continue trying to make sounds.

• It helps the child realize the importance of first words. Babbling indicates that the infant’s first word is near.

• Lastly, there is evidence that canonical babbling is an essential precursor to later language development. Some research points out that delays in canonical babbling can sometimes predict later disabilities like language and speech delays or learning disabilities.

Causes of Delayed Speech or Language Acquisition in Infants

If your baby does not seem to be using their voice to make early communication attempts, you should speak to your pediatrician. A wide range of factors may contribute to speech delays. Some factors may include hearing impairment, communication delay, or neurological impairment, and often the cause is unknown. A lack of babbling can be predictive of later language delays. Parents should remain diligent about language developmental delays because with early awareness comes early intervention.

Early intervention can often make a tremendous difference in the outcome of language or speech delay.

If your pediatrician suspects that there has been a delay in your baby’s speech and language acquisition, you will be referred to a speech-language pathologist. They will work with you and your child to pinpoint the reason for the delay. The treatment plan may include concentrating on different areas of development like:

• Motor skills (tongue rolling, lip movement, and articulation)

• Vocalizations (including canonical babbling and early words)

• Hand skills (demonstrating awareness of the mouth for feeding and talking as well as hand movements that complement speech)

• Social interaction (interaction with caregivers, peers, or objects)

Ways to Encourage Communication in Infants

To aid both receptive and expressive language development, it is important to always respond to your little ones. Studies show that infants acquire communication skills faster when their parents react to their babbling with supportive language cues. Some things that you can do now include:

• Maintain eye contact with your infant while they are having a “conversation” with you.

• Imitate your child’s babble. When adults mimic babies’ vocalization, it increases the likelihood that babies will make the sounds again. So even though it may feel a little silly, bring out the baby sounds. Babies exposed to this will love the back and forth game, and it will be an exciting practice.

• Give your baby a toy and talk about it with them.

• Sing and read to your baby and ask a lot of questions too.

• Do not interrupt. Infants need to hear themselves make these sounds; the auditory feedback they receive after making babbling noises is good for proper language development. A slight nod and a smile will serve as a form of encouragement.

• Diets: Babies use the same oral muscles to speak as they use to eat. Each time they graduate to a new category of solid foods, they use their muscles in more robust, more coordinated ways. Solid food will also help them to make more complicated speech sounds. A well-fed infant is a happy Infant, and a happy infant is a chatty infant.

With enough practice and encouragement from you, your baby’s babbling will eventually lead to their first essential real words.

Reliable Approach to Teach Your Toddler to Talk

Conclusion

During a baby’s first year, you should expect to hear vocalizations like crying, babbling (like “coo” and “goo”, “mama” and “dada”), and vocal exploration like squealing and yelling.

A baby’s first babbling sounds usually are made around 4-6 months of life, as infants practice the speech sounds used later to form syllables, words, or sentences.

In time, the syllables they form become more complex, and by the end of the first year, infants may begin producing their actual first words.

If your baby hasn’t started making these early developing sounds, we recommend consulting with your pediatrician because early recognition of delayed speech and language is essential.

When is it the Right Time for a Speech-Language Evaluation?

Free Consultation

Do you have questions or want to learn more about our early intervention program? At Connected Speech Pathology, we provide an early intervention service to parents and children approximately 16 months or older. Set up a free phone consultation with our lead speech pathologist.

Think about it – right from the beginning, your baby learns to communicate. The first form of communication in any baby is crying. Every time your baby cries and you rush to tend to her, you are laying down the foundation for communication. The next way babies start to communicate is through sounds like cooing, growling and babbling. Once your baby starts to practice her consonants, it is only a matter of time before your baby starts trying to imitate the sounds you make while speaking.

At What Age Babies Speak Their First Word?

When do babies say their first word? The average age at which kids utter their first real word is around the one year mark. By the age of two, babies can generally form two word sentences such as “doggy nice” (The dog is nice) or “got boo-boo” (I got hurt). Most children are able to form more advanced, though not perfect sentences once they are three. For example, your child may say “I drinked all my juice” instead of “I drank all my juice” as they are not yet able to understand tenses.

Baby-Speaking Milestones

The first two years of your baby’s life are the most important for speech. Before using any words themselves, babies learn to communicate by watching how the adults around them do it. Your child will first begin by exploring the tongue, lips, palate and any grown teeth and making sounds with them. As your baby develops, she will be able to learn to use words to describe things in her life and what she wants.

Some of the most common first words of babies are “Dada”, “Mama” and “Bye-Bye.” At the age of 12 months, words like “ball” and “dog” go on the baby first words list. Some of the important milestones to look out for when it comes to your child’s speech development are as follows:

1. Baby’s First Words at the 3^rd Month:

Everything is new to babies of this age, and they spend a lot of time observing your facial expressions and listening to the sound of your voice. They are also curious about any other sounds that they can hear around the house. Babies prefer the sound of a female voice over a male one and are more partial to the voices they heard while in the womb. By the end of three months, babies learn to coo.

1. Baby’s Words at the 6^th Month:

This is the age at which babies learn to babble. They begin with simple things like “da da”, and they are able to recognise their own names. They can also distinguish their mother tongue from other languages. They learn to communicate if they are happy or sad through tone of voice. They do not understand the meanings of any words yet.

1. Baby’s Words at the 9^th Month:

Now babies are beginning to understand the meaning of some very simple words such as “yes” and “bye” and will start to practice their consonant sounds.

1. Baby’s Words at the 12^th Month:

Your baby now understands the meaning behind the words that she hears all the time. This is the age at which most babies utter their first real word.

1. Baby’s Words at the 18^th Month:

Your baby’s vocabulary expands at this age, and she will be able to point out objects to you if you name them for her. Many babies have fun learning the names of their body parts by pointing to the one they think you are asking for and try to imitate what you are saying.

1. Baby’s Words at 2 Years:

Babies are finally starting to understand that words are not only meant to refer to objects but also to other things like possession and they can even put together two-word sentences like “ball mine!” to communicate.

How To Make Your Baby Talk

Keep talking to your baby. Make sure to focus on pronouncing each individual word carefully when speaking to your child and tell her what you are doing as you do it. Here are some ways of helping your baby learn to talk:

1. Be Observant:

Young babies often communicate through actions, and you should pay attention to their every attempt. Your baby may hold up her arms to you to let you know she wants to be carried, or she could push her food away to let you know she is full. When these things happen, smile and make eye contact so that she will feel encouraged to communicate more.

2. Listen Carefully:

When your baby coos at you, coo back at her. This will help her learn to vary pitch and tone as she will imitate the way you make the sounds. When your child is speaking to you, look at her and be responsive so that she feels more comfortable talking to you.

3. Lots of Praise:

Babies often do not make any sense as they experiment with and learn different sounds. Praise your child for every attempt, whether it makes sense to you or not.

4. The Art of Imitation:

If your baby happens to glance at the cat and say “cah” you should do the same, except, use the correct word, “cat.” It will help her learn the correct way to say things and also confirms for her that yes; that is a “cah,” making her more confident in her associations.

5. Small Talk:

At mealtime, if your baby points to her bowl and makes a noise, don’t just give her more food. Converse with her first, “Would you like more pasta? It tastes lovely with cheese, doesn’t it?”

6. Narration:

Tell your baby everything you are doing to help her connect certain words with activities. “Let’s put on this green hat!” or “Mommy is cutting carrots for Cara.”

7. Don’t Give Up:

If you don’t understand what your baby is saying, clarify it with her, “Ball? Do you want the ball?”
Even if you still don’t understand what she is trying to say, don’t lose heart. Show your baby a lot of love. She will still feel rewarded for trying.

8. Follow the Leader:

Let your baby set the pace during playtime and follow your child’s interests. Let her pick the topic of conversation in her own way. This will teach her that that communication is a two-way street where there is talking, listening, following and leading.

9. Playacting:

Children should be encouraged to play and pretend, using creative imaginary scenes as these activities can help them develop their verbal skills as they become toddlers.

10. Read Out Loud:

Young children enjoy things that are pleasant and if you make reading sessions fun and relaxing, your child will not only develop her verbal skills, learn how to form sentences and how stories flow from listening to and imitating you, but could also develop a love for reading as she grows.

How to Deal With Speech Delay

At around two years is when the average child learns to speak. If your child is still not speaking, it is best to consult a doctor. If the problem is diagnosed early, the chances of your child getting back on track is higher. Here are some ways to help with delayed speech:

1. Hearing Test:

Hearing loss is a major cause of delayed speech development. Three out of 1000 babies have it, Make sure to get your baby fully checked for this problem.

2. Consult a Professional:

An SLP (Speech-Language Pathologist) will be able to diagnose and treat whatever is causing your child to have delayed speech development. Treatments could involve giving you tips and games to improve her speech skills.

3. Developmental Screening:

Development or behavioural disabilities such as autism or cognitive disabilities can cause speech delays, and it is in your child’s best interest to have these diagnosed and properly treated if she is found to have any.

Like every other milestone in your child’s life, she will hit all her speech ones when she is ready. Parents really need not worry about their children developing their verbal skills at exactly the ages given above, as those are the average ages at which things should fall into place.

Also Read: What is Baby Babble?

The first word uttered by a child is one of the most exciting moments for parents. It’s kind of like hearing your baby speak, except they are only using one word. To make it even more exciting, there are certain first words that you can expect from your little bundle of joy!

The most common baby first words include variations for parents such as “mama,” “mommy,” “dada,” “daddy,” and “papa.” After those, you can expect a wide variety of words to follow such as “no,” “uh-oh,” “please,” “ball,” and more!

This article will discuss 30 common baby first words and their meanings so you can be sure to know what to say when your darling finally starts talking.

The Most Common Baby First Words to Expect

Here is an extensive list of common baby first words and their meanings:

1. Mama – This is usually the first word, or one of the very first uttered by a child. They are very likely to call their mother by this name.
2. Mommy – The female version of “Daddy,” this is another favorite first word used by young children when talking about their mother or any similar-looking female.
3. Dada – This is the male version of Mama, and it’s equally common for young children to use these words when referring to either parent.
4. Daddy – This is one of the most common first words, and it usually comes after they’ve seen you for a while or have been given to their father.
5. Papa – This is another common first word that babies will learn, and it usually means the same thing as “daddy.”
6. Uh-Oh – This is one of the first words that young children learn, and it’s usually used when they’ve done something wrong.
7. Ball – After parents, there are many first words that will be related to everyday objects. This is one of the most common, and it’s usually a ball of some kind (although sometimes children also use this word for other round things.).
8. Yes – This is one of the most common first words, and it’s usually followed by another word or phrase.
9. Stop – Another important first word used to express displeasure at something not wanted (such as a parent putting them down) or to emphasize something (such as “no” or “uh-oh”).
10. No – This is an important word, but it’s also a slightly negative one that can be used in place of “No.” You should teach your child the appropriate times to use this word, so they don’t accidentally start saying something inappropriate!
11. Up – The opposite of down, babies will learn these words at a very young age. They can be used to express that something is not where it should be or as an expression of excitement about being picked up from the ground!
12. Down – The opposite of up, this word will also be learned early on by babies and toddlers. It’s usually paired with “up” but can also mean other things, like the opposite of “stop” or that something is not where it should be.
13. Doggy – This word will usually follow the naming of a specific animal, and your child might repeat this many times when they see their pet in person after calling them by name at home.
14. Dog – This can be one of the first words, and it usually means any dog in general. Children will sometimes use this word when talking about other animals too (like a cat or even lion!)
15. Puppy – This is another word that will usually be used when naming a specific type of animal, and it’s often paired with the words “dog” or “cat.”
16. Cat – This is another common first word, and it’s usually used to describe any feline friend.
17. Kitty – This is another common first word and it will usually come after the naming of a specific type of feline.
18. Bye – It’s not unusual for babies to start saying their version of “goodbye” well before they learn how to actually wave bye-bye.
19. Bye-bye – Another common first word, this means that your little one wants you to pick them up or move them somewhere else. It can also be used as an all-purpose goodbye.
20. More – This is a common request from babies and toddlers, who might not yet know how to ask for more by using words like “please.” It can also be used as an expression of satisfaction when they’re done eating or playing!
21. Please – Another important word that will usually come after the first set of words, this is how your baby will ask for things from you. It’s important to teach them the difference between “Please” and “Thank You.”
22. Thank you – This is another common first word that babies learn very early on! It shows their gratitude after they’ve been given something or allowed to do something.
23. All done – They might not be able to say this word exactly, but your child will let you know when something is finished (like a meal, bath time, and playtime!)
24. All gone – This is an important word for babies because it refers to something being out of their reach! They might be too young to verbalize this specifically but will show you what they mean when there’s nothing left for them to eat or play with.
25. Boat – Another common first word based on an everyday object. This is usually paired with “Bye-bye” to mean the child wants you to give them their toy boat!
26. Car – Another common first word based on everyday objects, this will usually refer to any type of vehicle and not just cars! You might want to teach your child about the difference between “Car” and “Train.”
27. Plane – This is yet another common first word, but it can sometimes be used in place of “Car,” so you’ll want to teach your child the difference between these two vehicles. This is very common, especially in babies that are fed with the classic “here comes the plane!”
28. Here – One of the very first words, this is used when they want you to come over and pick them up or give something to them. It’s also paired with “There” for a few more common word combinations like “Hide-and-Seek.”
29. There – This will be another important word that your baby learns, and it’s usually paired with “Here” to mean that something is over there.
30. Shoe – This is another common first word, and your toddler will usually know how to use this because they see you putting them on their feet.

When Should You Expect Their First Words?

According to parents, most babies start speaking their first words around the age of 12 months. Typically, at this time they also begin walking and making other developments in motor skills as well.  It is a pivotal point in their lives and marks the beginning of a whole new world.

It can be surprising to most parents when their baby says his or her first word, but there are also words that you should expect from your little one based on statistics.

However, you can begin to expect cooing as early as 2 months old. Cooing should sound distinct from babbling. At this point they are just beginning to learn how to use their vocal cords. Parents can encourage this behavior by acknowledging them when they coo.

How Can You Encourage Your Baby to Talk?

There are many ways you can encourage your baby to speak.

Talk Back

First, talk back! As soon as they begin cooing or babbling respond by smiling and saying words like “yes” or “oh?” This encourages them to keep communicating with you in this way.

You should also get down on the floor around their level when they want something. This is a great way for them to learn valuable communication skills and how they can get what they need from an adult when in the future, it’s not possible to always have their needs met by you or someone else who loves them so much.

Listen to Them

Parents should also take the time to listen. If you’re cooking dinner and your child is playing nearby, stop for a few moments every now and then to focus on what they are saying or asking for!

Even when they’re only making random sounds, they could already be attempting to vocalize actual words. Thus, it is important to listen to them.

Read Together

Reading to your baby is another great way for them to learn! Read books that are appropriate for their age and read slowly so they can hear each word. This will help them begin to understand language as well as expand upon what words sound like outside of just hearing you speak around the house or at bedtime every night.

Sing Songs Together

This can be a great way to bond and spend quality time with your child as well. They will enjoy the tunes and repetition of certain songs, so sing these often or even just hum them when you’re thinking about them!

Repeat Words

The more parents repeat common words, the more likely their baby will learn that word and use it themselves. Try to incorporate these words into your everyday speech as much as possible, even if they don’t understand what you’re saying just yet!

Should You Worry about Their First Words?

Your baby’s first words are an important milestone.

However, if your child isn’t saying any real words by the time they’re 15 months old you should talk to their doctor. This is a reasonable expectation and might not require too much concern on your part, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry! If there is some kind of issue, early intervention can help them gain their language skills and be on the same developmental track as most children.

From coos to growls to sing-songy combinations of vowels and consonants, your baby’s vocalizing and verbal experimentation may sound just as adorable as it is nonsensical. But listen closely and one day you’ll hear it: the first real word.

By 9 months, your baby will probably start stringing together «ma-ma» and «da-da» sounds without necessarily knowing what they mean. But when those sounds start to transform into words with meaning, it’s a milestone that feels like magic.

When do babies start talking?

Babies start talking — that is, attempt to express themselves in words with meaning — anywhere between 9 and 14 months. But babies start learning how to speak right after they’re born, mainly by watching and listening to you and other people.

Here’s a timeline of how baby’s speech will typically progress:

By the end of month 4

From birth, babies listen to the words and sounds all around them and begin to sort out their meanings, the first step in language acquisition. 

At 4 months, your baby will likely babble or even copy some of the babbling sounds he’s heard you make. His cries may also sound different, depending on whether he’s hungry, tired or in pain.

By the end of month 6

By about 6 months, your baby is picking up on the idea that the jumble of sounds he’s hearing every day include individual words. He may even understand a few of them, such as his name, and the names of other people and familiar objects. He may also make some sounds himself, and may string together a few vowels when he babbles, such as «ah,» «eh» and «oh.» Consonants like «m» and «b» may also appear too.

By the end of month 9

Your baby is starting to experiment with making sounds of his own — including some impressively long ones, like «ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma» and «ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba.»

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He may also start to mimic other people’s sounds and gestures, and understand what «no» means (whether he’ll listen is another thing altogether). All of this brings him closer, day by day, to saying his first word.

By the end of month 12

By the time your child is 1 year old, he can likely say at least one word like, «mama,» «dada” or «uh-oh.» He may also try to say the words he hears you say, as well as change the tone of his words — all of which is starting to sound something like real speech! 

When do babies say their first word?

Babies often say their first word around the age of 1, but it can vary from child to child. 

Some perfectly normal babies don’t say a recognizable word until 18 months, whereas some babies begin to communicate in word-sounds (like «ba-ba» for bye-bye, bottle or ball and «da-da» for dog, dad or doll) as early as 7 months.

«Da-da» seems to be slightly easier for babies to say than «ma-ma,» so don’t be surprised if it’s your baby’s first «real» word. Other popular first words include «uh-oh,» «bye-bye» and, around 18 months of age, «no.»

How to teach baby to talk

The best way to help your baby say his first words is to talk to him —  a lot! Your baby will be eager to pick up on your verbal cues. 

Narrate your day, describing what you’re doing as you dress your baby, cook dinner or walk down the street. Speak the names of objects and people. Read to your baby, pointing out objects and their names in the pictures he sees.

Ask questions, hold one-sided conversations — and listen if he answers. When he does vocalize, be sure to smile, make eye contact and show him that you’re listening. He’ll be encouraged by your attention — and excited to try again.

More ways to encourage a baby to talk:

• Speak slowly and clearly, and focus on single words. There’s no need to resort to caveman-speak all the time around your baby, but slowing the pace as you flip through a picture book, or explaining in clear, simple language what you’re doing as you put the book back on the shelf, helps your child understand and focus on individual words. 
• Use names rather than pronouns. Whenever possible, name the people you’re talking about rather than using the shorthand of a pronoun: «This is Mommy’s coffee» or «Here is Sarah’s bear» are both clearer and easier for babies to understand than «This is my coffee» or «Here is your bear.»
• Sing songs and rhyme rhymes. Your baby will learn valuable language skills from the simple rhythms and silly repetitions of nursery rhymes and songs.
• Repetition is your friend. Repetition is your friend. (Get it?) Saying things not once but twice, singing the same songs over and over, pointing out the same flower pot every time you pass it on the street … all that repetition, boring as it may seem to you, is incredibly interesting to your little one, since it helps reinforce your child’s growing understanding of how a particular sound attaches to a particular thing — in other words, what individual words really mean.

What not to worry about

When it comes to speech, the window of what’s considered «normal» is wide open. Your child may start to use sound-words like «mi» for «milk» or «dat» for «that» (as in, «I want that!») as early as 7 months. Or your child might not start to say words or word-sounds until as late as 18 months. 

Believe it or not, it’s just as appropriate to hear a child’s first words at either end of that age range — or at any age in between. Every child develops at his own pace. 

When to talk to your doctor

If you notice any of the following signs in your baby, it’s a good idea to check in with your pediatrician:

• Not babbling at 4 to 7 months
• Only making a few sounds or gestures by 12 months
• Not saying simple words like «ma-ma» or «da-da» by 12 to 15 months
• Not understanding simple words like «no» or «stop» by 18 months. 

These can sometimes signal something’s up. Here’s what your pediatrician will look for:

• Hearing loss or hearing difficulties, which can occur at birth or develop in infancy or toddlerhood. If there’s a family history of hearing loss, tell your pediatrician. Hearing problems can make it difficult for children to learn how to speak. Your pediatrician may be able to treat mild hearing loss that results from, for example, fluid that has accumulated in the inner ear, or can refer you to an ENT (ear, nose and throat specialist).
• Language delays, which affect about 1 out of 5 children, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Sometimes, this delay is only minor, and may resolve itself with a little extra attention from a parent or caregiver. In other cases, children may benefit from working with a speech and language therapist.
• Autism, a spectrum disorder (also called autism spectrum disorder, or ASD), can result in social or language delays. Let your pediatrician know if your child doesn’t respond to his name by 9 months or if he doesn’t make eye contact when you speak to him.

In general, the earlier a speech delay is detected, the sooner you’ll be able to address it. 

What’s next for baby

Long before he speaks his first words, your baby will learn to understand words, but understanding concepts and directions takes a little longer. 

Sometime around the first birthday, most toddlers can begin following simple commands «like give me that» or «put that down,» but only if they’re issued one step at a time. Your toddler’s vocabulary will likely begin to explode around month 18, and he may string a few words together by age 2.

Every baby develops at his own pace, but if you have any concerns about your child’s development, don’t hesitate to check in with your pediatrician sooner rather than later.

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