When Do Babies Start Talking? Language Milestones and How to Help

Short answer: Babies start “talking” long before their first word. Most coo by 4 months, take turns making sounds with you by 6 months, and babble “mamamama” and “babababa” by 9 months. By 12 months, most call a parent “mama,” “dada,” or another special name. By 18 months, most try to say three or more other words, and by 2 years, most put two words together, like “More milk.”

When do babies say their first word?

Most babies say a first real word around their first birthday, usually a special name for a parent.

The CDC’s milestone for 12 months is “Calls a parent ‘mama’ or ‘dada’ or another special name.” That’s different from babbling “mamamama,” which most babies do by 9 months as they play with sounds. The difference is meaning: a first word is aimed at a person or thing. Understanding also runs ahead of speaking. By 12 months, most babies understand “no,” pausing or stopping briefly when you say it, and by 15 months, most look at a familiar object when you name it.

What are the language milestones from birth to 3 years?

Here are the CDC’s language and communication milestones, in their exact words, for each checkup age.

By this age	Most children (CDC)
2 months	“Makes sounds other than crying”; “Reacts to loud sounds”
4 months	“Makes sounds like ‘oooo’, ‘aahh’ (cooing)”; “Makes sounds back when you talk to him”; “Turns head towards the sound of your voice”
6 months	“Takes turns making sounds with you”; “Blows ‘raspberries’”; “Makes squealing noises”
9 months	“Makes different sounds like ‘mamamama’ and ‘babababa’”; “Lifts arms up to be picked up”
12 months	“Waves ‘bye-bye’”; “Calls a parent ‘mama’ or ‘dada’ or another special name”; “Understands ‘no’”
15 months	“Tries to say one or two words besides ‘mama’ or ‘dada’”; “Points to ask for something or to get help”
18 months	“Tries to say three or more words besides ‘mama’ or ‘dada’”
2 years	“Says at least two words together, like ‘More milk.’”
3 years	“Talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges”; “Talks well enough for others to understand, most of the time”

Since 2022, the CDC lists skills that 75% or more of children have by each age, so a missed milestone is a reason to check in, not a diagnosis. You can see every area of development in Baby milestones by month.

How can I help my baby learn to talk?

Talk with your baby all day in warm “parentese,” and treat every coo or babble as their turn in a conversation.

1. Use parentese. That’s the slower, higher, sing-song voice most of us use with babies naturally, with stretched-out vowels and real words. It isn’t nonsense baby talk.
2. Serve and return. When your baby makes a sound, answer, then pause and give them time to “reply.” The back-and-forth matters more than the number of words.
3. Repeat and add. The AAP suggests that when your baby says a syllable, you say it back, then add simple words with that sound: “Ba! Ball! Here’s your ball.”
4. Narrate your day. Describe what you’re doing and what your baby is looking at. When they point, name the thing.
5. Read and sing every day. Books give you new things to name and talk about together. See Reading to your baby for ideas by age.

With my son Adam, I felt a bit silly narrating the grocery store out loud at first. Now it’s just how we shop, and the pauses for babbled “answers” are my favorite part.

Does baby sign language help babies talk sooner?

There’s no good evidence that it speeds up talking, but it doesn’t hurt and many families enjoy it.

In the first randomized trial of baby signing, published in 2013, babies whose mothers modeled signs did not differ in language from other babies by 20 months. Mothers who signed did become more tuned in to their baby’s nonverbal cues, which is lovely in itself. The CDC still suggests teaching gestures like waving “bye-bye” around 9 months. So sign “more” and “all done” if you like, just as a fun extra, not a shortcut.

Our book The First-Year Mind has a whole chapter on talking your baby into language, plus simple daily habits for each stage of the first year.

Will two languages delay my baby’s talking?

No. The AAP says learning more than one language does not cause language delays or confusion.

Mixing words or grammar from two languages is normal and doesn’t mean your child is confused. The AAP suggests speaking the language or languages you’re most comfortable with, since warm, natural talk is what helps most.

When should I talk to the doctor about my baby’s speech?

Whenever your baby misses a milestone, loses a skill, or you simply have a feeling something’s off.

Hearing is the first thing to check. The CDC says all babies should have a hearing screening by 1 month, and if you ever think your child may not hear well, ask the doctor for a hearing test as soon as possible. The AAP notes that hearing loss can be partial, so a baby may still react to loud noises or turn to your voice.

If you’re still concerned, the CDC suggests asking for a referral to a specialist and calling your state’s early intervention program. You don’t need a diagnosis to ask.

Frequently asked questions