Parents often wonder if their baby is “on track” with talking. Every child grows at their own pace, yet there are reliable signposts that help you know what to expect and how to encourage progress. This guide walks through infant talking age milestones, explains what truly counts as a word, and offers simple, science-backed ways to support your little one’s first conversations.
How Talking Develops in the First Two Years
Early communication starts well before the first word. Babies build language by stacking many small skills:
- Listening and attention: Newborns tune into voices and rhythm. By a few months, they turn toward sounds and prefer parent speech.
- Social connection: Smiles, eye contact, and back-and-forth “coo conversations” lay the foundation for dialogue.
- Sounds to syllables: Cooing becomes babbling, babbling turns into babble with melody (jargon), and eventually into real words.
- Gestures and intention: Waving, clapping, and pointing show meaning before speech—gestures predict stronger language later.
- Understanding before talking: Receptive language (what babies understand) always leads expressive language (what babies say).
Month-by-Month Talking Milestones
These milestones reflect typical ranges. Some babies meet them early or late; look for steady progress across months.
0–2 months
- Startles to sounds; soothes to a familiar voice
- Makes brief vowel-like coos (“oo,” “uh”)
- Watches faces closely and tries to copy your expressions
3–4 months
- Cooing is clearer and more frequent
- Turns head to your voice; enjoys vocal play
- Begins simple vocal turn-taking—coos, then pauses for your reply
5–6 months
- Babbling starts with early consonants like b, m, p (“ba,” “ma”)
- Laughs, squeals, and blows raspberries
- Responds to name some of the time; enjoys sound-imitating games
7–9 months
- Canonical babbling: repeated syllables (“bababa,” “dadada”)
- Uses varied sounds and tone; may combine different syllables
- Understands routine words like “no,” “bye-bye,” and “all done” with cues
- Looks at objects you name; shares attention by following your gaze
10–12 months
- Jargon (babble with intonation) sounds like animated “speech”
- Waves, claps, and points to show or request
- Follows simple directions with gestures (“Come here,” “Give me the ball”)
- First words often emerge around 12 months (e.g., “mama,” “dada,” “hi,” “ball”)
So, when do babies start talking? Many say a first true word around the first birthday, but the range is wide and depends on how much they understand, gesture, and practice sounds.
12–15 months
- Says about 3–10 meaningful words (approximations count—“ba” for ball)
- Names familiar people or pets; imitates animal sounds
- Points to request (“more”), shows you items with shared excitement
- Follows 1-step directions without gestures (“Get the book”)
16–18 months
- Vocabulary grows to 10–50 words; may label favorite objects and actions
- Tries two-word combinations around 18 months (“more milk,” “daddy go”)
- Points to body parts; brings you items to get help
- Understands many more words than they can say
18–24 months
- Reaches about 50+ words by 24 months, often much more
- Combines two words regularly (“my shoe,” “big truck,” “go outside”)
- Uses early verbs and pronouns (“me,” “go,” “eat”) and asks “What’s that?”
- Intelligibility improves—strangers may understand about half of speech by age 2
This baby speech development timeline shows a steady shift from listening and babbling to meaningful words and short phrases. If your child isn’t in the center of these ranges but continues to make gains, that can still be typical.
What Counts as a “Word”?
Parents often overlook early words because they don’t sound perfect. A word counts when it is:
- Consistent: Used the same way across days (e.g., “ba” always for ball)
- Meaningful: Clearly directed at a person, object, or action
- Independent: Said without you immediately prompting the exact word
- Generalized: Used in more than one context (e.g., “milk” at breakfast and dinner)
Signs, gestures, or sound effects can also carry meaning and pave the way for spoken words.
Red Flags: Speech and Language Delay Signs
Trust your instincts—bring concerns to your pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist (SLP), especially if you notice:
- No cooing by 3 months or no babbling by 6 months
- No canonical babbling (repeated syllables) by 10 months
- Limited eye contact, smiles, or back-and-forth vocal play by 6–9 months
- No pointing or gestures by 12 months
- No first words by 15 months
- Fewer than 10 words by 18 months
- No two-word phrases by 24 months
- Not responding to name by 9–12 months or inconsistent response to sounds
- Loss of skills at any age (regression)
Hearing matters for talking. If you suspect ear infections, fluid, or hearing differences, request a hearing evaluation early.
Simple Ways to Support Talking Every Day
You don’t need fancy toys or flashcards. Babies grow language through warm, responsive interactions:
- Follow their lead: Notice what your child looks at or reaches for. Name it and add a word about what it’s doing: “Truck! Big truck. Vroom!”
- Imitate and expand: If your child says “ball,” respond with “Yes, red ball” or “Roll ball.” You keep the conversation growing without pressuring.
- Narrate routines: Talk during diaper changes, meals, and bath time. Short, repeated phrases stick: “All done,” “Open,” “More banana.”
- Read every day: Point to pictures, label them, and wait a beat so your child can vocalize or point. Re-reading favorites builds understanding and words.
- Use gestures and signs: Wave, point, and use simple baby signs. Gestures boost early language and reduce frustration.
- Sing and rhyme: Songs exaggerate sounds and rhythm, helping babies hear syllables and practice turn-taking.
- Offer choices: “Do you want milk or water?” Pause to let them answer with a point, sound, or word.
- Limit background noise and passive screens: Babies learn best from you—face-to-face interaction beats passive listening.
- Choose interactive toys: Balls, blocks, books, and pretend play items encourage conversation; toys that “do all the talking” don’t.
- Be bilingual with pride: Speak the language you’re most comfortable in. Strong skills in one language support learning others.
Common Questions and Myths
- “When do babies start talking?” Many say a first word near 12 months and two-word phrases by 24 months, within a wide normal range.
- “Boys just talk later, right?” Differences are small. Treat concerns seriously regardless of gender.
- “Will bilingualism delay speech?” No. Bilingual children may distribute words across languages, but total vocabulary and timelines are comparable.
- “Should I avoid ‘baby talk’?” Use lively, sing-song “parentese” with real words. It highlights sounds and supports learning.
- “Is pacifier use a problem?” Occasional use is fine. Limit during awake play so babbling and imitation can flourish.
When to Seek Extra Support
If milestones seem off or your gut says something’s not right, talk with your pediatrician and consider an evaluation with an SLP. Early support is powerful—small adjustments at home and targeted strategies can make a big difference.
For families who want a clear, evidence-based roadmap, Tiny Talkers is a trusted resource developed with input from doctors, speech therapists, and educators. You’ll find practical checklists, milestone explanations, and parent-friendly activities that fit real life.
Your Calm, Confident Plan
- Keep an eye on early language milestones and celebrate progress.
- Build rich routines with talk, play, songs, and books.
- Look for meaningful early words and gestures, not perfect pronunciation.
- Seek guidance early if red flags arise—support works best when it starts soon.
You know your child best. With attentive listening, everyday chat, and informed guidance from evidence-based resources like Tiny Talkers, you can nurture your baby’s first words into joyful, connected conversation.