When Do Babies Start Talking?

Those coos and gurgles are cute, but you can’t always understand them.

When do babies start talking?

 

From the time they’re born (and even before!) we look forward to seeing our babies take on the world. From crawling to walking and babbling to talking, so much happens to babies in the first few years of life!

All babies are different, but there are certain guidelines the CDC puts out so that parents can make sure their babies are on track. One major milestone is when your baby (finally!) starts talking.

Read on to find out when babies start talking, what talking actually means (hint: it’s not words), and what you should do if your baby seems to be experiencing a speech delay.

When Do Babies Begin Learning Language?

You might be surprised to find out that learning begins before birth.

Once a fetus is 18 weeks, they can hear blood flow and your heartbeat. Around 27-29 weeks, they can hear sounds outside the womb. During this time, they are beginning to recognize the voices closest to them and can even become startled by loud noises!

You can even begin reading to your baby at this stage. Baby listens at this stage and although they may not be learning words yet they will be learning language, infliction, tone, and be comforted by your voice.

When Should Babies Start Talking?

Talking typically begins to emerge between 12 and 18 months, though it may look different for every child. At 12 months, most babies can say one or two simple words like “mama” or “dada” and begin to understand basic commands.

Between 12 and 18 months, they rapidly increase their understanding of spoken language and begin using gestures and vocalizations to express needs. This is when intentional communication really starts to take off.

By 18 months, many toddlers can say 10–20 words and may begin to combine two-word phrases like “more juice” or “go bye-bye.” While every baby develops at their own pace, this window is considered a key developmental phase for expressive language. Keep in mind that even if their speech is limited, babies at this age typically understand far more than they can say.

Newborn

Newborns communicate through crying, facial expressions, and body movements. Though they can’t form words, they begin to understand communication by listening and responding to the rhythm and tone of your voice. Smiling usually starts around 6 to 8 weeks and is one of the earliest signs of social engagement.

6–8 Weeks

Cooing begins during this time, marking a major first step in vocal development. Your baby may make soft vowel sounds like “oooh” and “ahhh” as they experiment with their voice. These aren’t words yet, but they show that your baby is starting to explore the foundations of speech.

6 Months

At 6 months, babies start to babble, repeating consonant-vowel combinations such as “ba,” “da,” or “ma.” These may sound like real words but don’t have meaning yet. However, this is an exciting stage because it shows your baby is listening and practicing the sounds they hear around them.

9 Months

Around 9 months, babies often begin using sound more intentionally. You might hear words like “no” or “bye-bye,” and they may point or gesture to objects. Their babbling may include more tone and inflection, showing that they’re mimicking speech patterns even if the words aren’t fully formed.

12 Months

By their first birthday, most babies can say one or two clear words and understand far more than they can express. They can often respond to their name, follow a one-step command (“give me the toy”), and use simple gestures like waving or shaking their head “no.” They may also echo familiar sounds or attempt to say new words.

18 Months

At 18 months, toddlers usually say 10–20 words and may start combining two words to form simple phrases. They can name common objects, follow simple directions, and point to body parts when asked. If your child isn’t saying words by this age or is primarily using gestures instead of speech, it’s a good idea to talk with your pediatrician to rule out any developmental delays.

24 Months

By age 2, most toddlers can say at least 50 words and start forming short sentences like “want juice” or “go outside.” They may also use pronouns (“me,” “you”) and are better at making themselves understood by caregivers, even if their pronunciation isn’t perfect. Language development tends to accelerate during this stage.

3 Years

At 3 years old, your child should be speaking in 3–4 word sentences and carrying on basic conversations. You’ll notice a growing vocabulary, clearer speech, and more detailed storytelling. They’re also better at answering questions, asking for things, and expressing thoughts and feelings. This is often called the “language explosion” stage.

Helping Your Child’s Verbal Skills

Read

Reading to your baby is the very best thing you can do to help your baby learn to talk and reading helps them improve their vocabulary and language skills.

When you’re reading, not only do they hear the different tones in your voice, but you can take the opportunity to point to objects in a book to name them. (“Look, a ball! Look at the blue car! This is a red apple.”)

You can also elaborate and count things on a page.

Talk

This one seems obvious, but talking to your baby can teach them to talk.

Tell them everything you’re doing. “Mommy is brushing her teeth now. Look at my yellow toothbrush!” Or “Mommy is getting your milk now. I am opening the refrigerator. See how cold it is? It keeps your milk fresh.”

It might sound silly but trust us, your baby is absorbing everything you say.

Correct Your Baby

You’re not aiming for perfection here, and you don’t need to worry about doing this 100% of the time.

If they are trying to say grandma and end up with “gamma,” don’t be afraid to help them enunciate. Model how to say each syllable and trust that they are absorbing the lesson.

Praise Them

Even if they get something wrong, make sure you’re giving them positive affirmations. Letting them know that they are doing a great job trying to communicate will encourage them to keep trying.

Sing Songs

The brain retains more information if it’s incorporated into song. That’s why so many educational programs include singing. So while your baby may not know what they are saying, if they can sing their ABCs they are definitely learning to enunciate their words.

Don’t Talk Over Your Baby

Try not to answer for your baby or talk over him/her. This will just discourage them from speaking or worse, lead them to regression because they know mom or dad (or their siblings!) will do anything they need without words.

When Should I Be Worried?

All babies develop at different rates. Even twins will not meet every milestone at the exact same  time. (Einstein didn’t start talking until he was four!)

However, if you notice that your child doesn’t seem to be following the CDC guidelines, your pediatrician is an optimal source to speak with about your concerns, as they are familiar with you and your baby. They can look at the chart and see any patterns or regressions your baby may be experiencing. And if there’s nothing to worry about, your pediatrician can also put your mind at ease.

The good news is that, even if your baby seems to be speech delayed, there are options like early intervention that can get your baby back on track!

How to Help Your Little One Find Their Voice

As you can see, there is no clear answer to the question, “When do babies start talking?” Every baby will develop differently and that’s okay. The guidelines for when your baby should be communicating are just that—guidelines. They aren’t set in stone.

If you have any concerns, talk to your pediatrician. As always, we are here to help. Please call us for your appointment and we can assess your baby’s needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Speech Development

When should I worry if my baby isn’t talking yet?
If your baby isn’t saying any words by 18 months or only communicates with gestures by age 2, talk to your pediatrician. Every child develops differently, but early intervention can be helpful if there’s a delay.

What is considered a late talker?
A child who is between 18 and 30 months old and has a limited vocabulary but is developing normally in other areas may be considered a “late talker.” Many late talkers catch up with the right support and stimulation.

Do boys talk later than girls?
On average, boys may develop verbal skills slightly later than girls, but the difference is usually small and not a cause for concern unless paired with other developmental delays.

How can I help my baby start talking?
Talking, reading, singing, and playing with your baby regularly encourages language development. Use short, clear sentences and name objects in their environment to help build vocabulary.

What if my toddler talks but is hard to understand?
Toddlers often mispronounce words as they learn. If your 2–3-year-old’s speech is very difficult to understand or if they’re getting frustrated trying to communicate, a speech evaluation may be helpful.