Baby Babbling

Hi A.! My baby girl is 9 months and I had the same concern. She only razzed and was so quiet. But then one day recently she just started babbling out of the blue and never stopped. Hang in there and she will come through!

My son didn't truly start babbling until 7 1/2 months. My doctor said at his 6 month appointment that it tends to develop as they get closer to 9 months. I wouldn't worry. As long as she is making noises of some kind.

I wouldn't worry too much. She is alert, reacting to you and seems happy. My youngest niece was sung to by everyone, listened to music all the time, and actually was a babe-in-arms at choir rehearsal. She now at 2 1/2 is learning 2 instruments, starting to read music, can hold a tune with others and on her own, and yes, she talks in complete sentences. I guess that's what comes from growing up in an extended musical family.

Don't worry. Enjoy her as she grows up and remember:
You spend so long trying to get them to walk and talk, and then much longer getting them to sit down and shut up!

I am a sahm with 3 children, 8yo,5yo,and 9month. All of my children started the ba and da sounds in different months. My 9 month old just started making the sounds we understand, ie:dadadada. The doctors also say that if a child is focusing on gross motor skills, rolling, crawling, sitting etc that the verbal skills may not be their primary focus. They usually try working on one more than the other at first. It all comes together, and I wouldn't be worried yet. At your next appt., mention it, but I am sure that your little one is progressing at her own pace. And remember sometimes you wake up one morning and all of a sudden that is the day they start talking. Mine 9month old went from gibberish one day to waking up saying dadadadada the next. Hang in there, parenting and being a new mom can be stressful even now:-) C.

I'm not sure what book's tels you your child should be talking at 7 months. There no concern for now. About 2 years of age if she still doesn't say a few words go to your doctor and let them Know . Not every child does everything according to the book. Please don't measure your childs ability by what a book say's. Each child if different and does things when she is ready . Enjoy her because she precious

Hi Ann,
I also live in the Nesconset area and have a 7 month old daughter along with a 2 year old daughter. I don't think you should be concerned quite yet. Like you said, all children develop at different stages. Give her some more time and see what happens. If you're still concerned around 9 months talk to the doctor at her nine month check up. If you have any other questions let me know.

B.

Hi Ann all babies are different and some are more vocal than others. My advive to you would be to wait until she's 1 and if your still worried about her speech have "Birth to Three" evaluate her and request 1 of the evaluators to be a speech therapist, hopefully they'll reassure you everything is fine or give you helpful ideas to encourage her speech. Best of luck. M.

I wouldn't worry at all! That's all my son did at 7 months and at 14 months he says dada, mama, mom, d (for any animal) and makes up a sound when he points to different things. The books say he should have 30 words by now. If you're really worried, talk to your pediatrician. I feel if they're trying to communicate and do understand you (my son understands "go get a book and bring it to mommy") then they're probably fine. I've heard too that if a child is working on a physical development (crawling, walking, picking things up) then speech would be secondary.

I have a two year old son who didn't say his first "words" (mama, dada) until he was 9 months. At two he is just beginning to put words together and believe me there are times when we stare at each other because I have no idea what he is saying. So I wouldn't be too worried about the lack of babbling. I would say if nothing is happening at a year old to ask your doctor. I hope this helped.

Don't worry, babies all start at different times, she is laughing and interacting with you so don't stress...she will have word explosions over the next year or two that will throw you for a loop, one day nothing...then all of the sudden she will be saying mama, dada, juice, no...then a few months down the road she'll add 20 words in less than a week, then a couple more months down the road you'll turn around and she'll be speaking in simple sentences(juice, please...). The best way to incourage speech is to teach yourself not to ask questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no(nod of the head) ask do you want juice or milk?...not do you want juice? also starting with manners is an easy way to start early speech(in a couple of months)...everytime you hand her something tell her to say please, thank you and your welcome...she will repeat with sounds (she'll imitate the sylables not so much the word...mmm...for please, choo,choo for thank you)...for now just tell her what things are as you play and before you know it she'll be saying...BALL! Again, don't stress in 2 years she'll be talking so much and asking so many questions you'll be wishing she could just play quietly for 2 minutes :-)

I agree with most everything here. Ask you Dr. for sure. often the first does not babble as much as the rest to follow becasue he/she does not hear anyone else for one,(just you) and you normally you do all the talking for them.

K.
mom of 2 yr old 1 yr old and one on the way :) Auntie to 14 others :)

I wouldn't worry... My son is just 12 months and he's just making sounds that seem like words... my son didn't say much more than your child at 7 months! It sounds like your child is very interactive and that is wonderful! If you are still concerned, give your pediatrician a ring and most likely they will tell you not to worry! I don't think the "what to expect the first year" book says that the children are talking by 7 months! Don't worry!

it is true that every child grows and develops at their own pace. Talk to the ped. next time. He or she will check things and let you know if there is a concern or not. My 18 month old still talks baby talk when i feel she could be saying more, but it is coming one word at a time. Its a slow road to talking but when they do, lol look out!!!!!

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I have a little girl who is almost 10 months, just last week I was telling a friend that I don't think she will ever talk....she almost never babbles ( no mama. baba ect) and then this week she suddenly started saying "Kitty Cat" " M." (which is my first name!) and Dada!! We couldn't believe it, it came from no where. Give your daughter time, when she is ready she will surprise you!

I too have a seven month old who does not babble-she makes a lot of screeching noises. I had early intervention come out and she ended up qualifying for speech therapy-she was delayed in more than one area however. If that is not an option, request a hearing evaluation. The therapist that comes out for my daughter suggested to us the other day that we have a repeat hearing screening done on our little one to rule out any kind of hearing problem. You might ask your pediatrician about that.

Don't worry! Every child is different, and as long as you can see that she is developing and gaining more skills, you don't have to worry about what the books say. My three kids each developed differently. My almost three year old son is way behind in the talking department - his almost two year old cousin will have a whole conversation with you, while my son is just not that interested in talking. Even words he can say he'll only use sparingly - it's just not his thing. Physically, he developed skills way before his older sisters - he can already jump rope, something my 4 and 6 year olds are still working on. I understand that it's different with your first...I know if I'd had him first, I would have been worried about his lack of verbalization, but since he was third, I could appreciate that all of his daily concentration was going into developing the physical skills that would make him able to follow his sisters in everything (he rode a bike last summer - at just 2!). Just be sure that you can see continuous development in your daughter, and even if it's a few months behind what the books say, its still just fine.

One of my children never had any babbling or baby talk at all. At two years old he just spoke, complete sentences. He is very intellectual and has his own rhythm. Don't worry!

A. I would not worry about he babbling. All children march to their own drummer when it comes to milestones. Does your daughter have any friends or cousins who are older than her? I realized that my daughter started to talk better when she spent some time with her cousins or my girlfriend's sons and daughters. You may also want to mention it to the doctor when you see him for her next well visit. He will be able to make you feel more at ease.

Enjoy her. They grow so quick.

Noone is "talking up a storm" at 7 month old! If your child is making eye contacts, reacts appropriately (age-appropriate) to the situations- she is fine. By 1 yo she should be making simple words/sounds. Keep talking to her, she is secretly recording your messages!
BTW, Einstein didn't talk until 3 yo and did OK afterall :)))

hi A.; your baby is FINE. my daughter, 13 months, didn't start "bababa" until about 11 months or so and still doesn't use that sound much. before, she did exactly the same noises you describe. prior to that she was totally silent until almost 8 months, she did not make any noise at all except for her rare crying. my son is almost 3 yrs and didn't make noise either until he was about 9 months. now he never ever ever shuts up, it's unbelieveable. my son starting saying actual words at 11 months, but my daughter doesn't say any words except 'bo' for booby and 'mamamama' when she's upset. please don't put too much stock in books, all the books can do is offer a very general, not realistic, timeline of what you 'can' expect, and not what you 'should' expect. talk to moms that you see in the playground, you will get a much wider variety of responses that reflects development differences much more reasonably. your daughter sounds like a darling. good luck and congratulations.

J.

honestly i did not meet many talking 7 month old in my life , and i know a quite a few children. my daughter started saying few ba-ba ma-ma da-da sounds before 12 months, but her actual words started coming in closer to 18 months, she started talking more and more closer to 2 yo. at that time i was wondering too, but just make sure she hears you and understands simple commands. My daughter is 26 months now, sometimes she adds baby talk to a normal conversation when she feels like it or she's lost for words. Anyway best to ask you ped, but i think its early to worry about speech at this point. she's sounds like a healthy 7 month old

Stop reading the books, listen to your heart and your instincts. Your daughter is 7 months old, give her a break. relax and enjoy her, she is fine. God Bless

Hi A.,
It is true, children work at their own pace. I am a speech pathologist and a mother of a 12 month old. It is a good sign that she makes lots of noises. They will most likely turn into babbling over night. If you truly are concerned, and not just scared of all the "developmental milestones" they should be hitting, than there may be some other underlying concerns and you should get her evaluated (not a big deal, they basically play with her and observe her, and ask you lots of questions).

Please let me know if you need any help with that process. Otherwise, wait until she is a year to 18 months and reassess then.

C.

I have three children myself and they all started talking at different times. My first was speaking with complete senteces like a 4 or 5 year old at 2, where my second child din't make any sounds until she was 2. Then she started speaking in complete sentences. If you are truly concerned you can talk to your child's doctor. You may also be able to get help through your school district.

My daughter is a big talker. From sun-up to sun-down, and in the middle of the night a fair amount. :) I still worried about how much she was talking. I also found that in some things she was way ahead of the curve...like rolling over. She was rolling from back to belly at 6 weeks, with no trouble. However, despite being very coordinated, had no interest in walking until almost 14 months...the books say she should be showing interest at 9 months. The first thing that comes to mind and not speaking, is hearing. Does she startle at loud noises? Does she seem to hear you when you call her name? etc. When in doubt, ask the doc. That is my rule of thumb. Don't feel like you're being a silly mom, either. What wouldn't you do for your daughter?

It has been my experience (I'm a mom of 6) that anytime any mother has any questions or doubts about the progress of her child, the first person she should seek advice from is the child's pediatrician. (Have you questioned your pediatrician about your child's volcalizations yet?) You are so right in saying all kids grow and develop at different paces, but you are also correct in stating that there are certain developments that usually occure at certain times. Consider this: a baby's body grows in "spirts." The inside (organs, muscles, bones) grow at different rates, and the brain, intellect, coordination all grow at even more different rates. If your child recently learned to sit up, maybe the vocal will soon follow. OR, maybe the body itself wants to grow and achieve before any words are formed. Remember, speaking is a very difficult task to learn, and the muscles of the face, the tongue, and even the gums and teeth all have to be ready to do their job when the time comes. Babbling is just the beginning of speech. She's hearing her own voice and the brain is constantly "taking notes!" "When the mouth says, ba, ba, ba, that sound is coming from me!" I would guess your daughter is listening to her own voice and trying to take control -- which takes time. Like any other development in a child's life, speaking takes time. If your pediatrician says her hearing is fine, her mouth structure is fine, then don't worry (as we are all prone to do, whether it's our first or our fifth!). In fact, start recording her voice and continue as the year progresses. You will cherish the recordings for years to come!

God bless and be well!
~EL

A., please don't worry. I have three children and they each began speaking at different ages. My youngest is almost two now and she only says a few words. Her pediatrician has assured me she is fine. As long as there is some speech, the rest will come. But I can tell you that at 7 months , my Anna wasn't uttering a sound. Talk to your doctor. He will be able to put your mind to rest.

Mention it during her next Dr.s visit, He'll spend more time checking the alertness and hearing.

It's probably nothing at all.

Babies who talk late are not setting the stage for their speaking or communication abilities later in life.

Don't worry so much and just tell her Dr.

HI, I had the same concern with my son. It seemed he was always a few months behind with the babbling milestones, but they did eventually come. WHen he was supposed to be saying vowel sounds ( aahhh, eeehhh..) he was saying nothing. Then when he was supposed to be dong the baba, dada stuff, he started the vowel sounds. Now, at 10 months, he is finally saying the dada, mama sounds a lot.
I would say if your doctor is not concerned yet, you should give it some time. It sounds like your daughter is happy and interacting with you, which is more important right now.
Also, it's great that you are singing and talking to her a lot. That's important. The funny thing is, I did that with both my boys, and my now 3 year old was ahead as far as talking(babbling at a few months old, complete sentences at 18 mos...) and my little one was so quiet until recently. So, I think it's personality too!
Good luck and enjoy her! :)

Hi A.-
Although each child developes differently, if you are worried, speak to your pediatrician. If your pediatrician reassures you and your still concerned (like I was with my son) than you should call Early Intervention. Your daughter will be evaluated to see if she may need speech therapy.
Good Luck to you.

7 months is a little young to be talking yet. My daughter didnt start talking until she was over a year old. Walking yes, talking not really. My son started a few words around 10 months I believe.

Not to worry, it will come with time. Then as the saying goes, you'll wish they stop talking! LOL.

My son was almost 2 before he started babbling. Realy didnt talk until 3 1/2 when i put him in a preschool program and he was around othe children his age. Talk to her doctor. The may want to check her hearing. If that comes out ok the doctor may sugest a program that you can check out. Another thig they say repeat things when talking to her or asking her. Ex. Do you want your ba ba? Then say ba ba a couple of time . Try to get her to ask for it before you give it to her. But other then that give her time shell talk when shes ready right now she feels there is no need to talk. Just got to be patient.

TEACH HER TO SIGN! My son was a late talker, and the sign language made it a million times better. SIGN WITH YOUR BABY by Dr. Joseph Garcia is a quick read, and easy for anyone to understand and do. Even though my son was a late talker, he never went through the frustrated, not being able to communicate stage, because he communicated through signing. It's amazingly easy, and really rewarding. Your daughter could be signing with you within a couple of months. Even just communicating with a few "key" signs makes a world of difference. Her babbling and talking will come in time. In the meantime... try something different!

7 months is young, give her time. when she has something to say, she will. some kids dont start until they are a year old, like my nephew. my only advise is - us full words, dont baby talk her, if she wants something use the proper word to describe it. she will then learn the right way to use the words when she wants to say something. be patient

Don't worry to much about it. My daughter will 9 months on the 7 and she still doesn't "bable" up a storm. She is just starting to say da da da. She di a lot oflaughing and squeeling andloud funny noises. Good Luck

A baby of 7 months should be reacting to you by making eye contact with you, smiling, cooing but definitely not talking. My nephew is 20 months old and didn't start doing this until he was over 1 year, and even now when he understands everything you say to him, he is not a talker.
At this age my niece feels he may need some early intervention because he only makes the sounds of the first letter of words and has only mama, dada, nana, "p" for papa, up as his vocabulary and he definitely should have at least 15 words that we should be able to understand.

Relax and enjoy your baby and go on the website and google
what babies do at different stages and you'll get a better idea of when to be concerned or not.

Good luck. Grandma in Westchester