Babies start learning to talk long before their first word. They listen to your voice from birth, then coo, then babble, then attach sounds to people and things. The CDC's milestone checklists show most babies make sounds other than crying by 2 months, coo by 4 months, babble strings like "mamama" by 9 months and call a parent "mama", "dada" or another special name by 12 months. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby's 10-month page says first words may appear anywhere between 8 and 14 months.
After that, words tend to build slowly and then speed up. By 18 months the CDC says most toddlers try to say 3 or more words besides "mama" or "dada", and by 2 years most put two words together, like "more milk". Pregnancy, Birth and Baby says talking to your baby helps them learn how to talk, so lots of everyday chat, with pauses for them to reply, is the best place to start.
How does talking develop from birth to 3 years?
Each row below is from a CDC checklist, which lists skills 75% or more of children have by that age. Many children do these things earlier.
| By about | Sounds, words and communication (CDC) |
|---|---|
| 2 months | Makes sounds other than crying; reacts to loud sounds |
| 4 months | Coos ("oooo", "aahh"); makes sounds back when you talk; turns towards your voice |
| 6 months | Takes turns making sounds with you; blows raspberries; squeals |
| 9 months | Makes lots of different sounds like "mamamama" and "bababababa"; lifts arms to be picked up; looks when you call their name |
| 12 months | Waves bye-bye; calls a parent "mama", "dada" or another special name; understands "no" |
| 15 months | Tries one or two words besides "mama" or "dada"; points to ask for something; looks at a familiar object when you name it |
| 18 months | Tries three or more words besides "mama" or "dada"; follows one-step directions without gestures |
| 2 years | Says at least two words together; points to things in a book and to two body parts when asked |
| 30 months | Says about 50 words; two or more words together with an action word ("doggie run"); uses "I", "me" or "we" |
| 3 years | Has a conversation with at least two back-and-forth exchanges; asks "who", "what", "where" or "why"; talks well enough for others to understand most of the time |
What babbling and first words sound like
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby's guide to learning to talk describes the stages this way: up to 6 months, cooing, gurgling, laughing and raspberries; from 6 to 9 months, babbling in syllables like "baba" with lots of "b" and "m" sounds; from 9 to 12 months, trying new sounds, saying "ma-ma" and "da-da", waving and recognising about 10 simple words; and from 12 to 24 months, clearer words like "dog" and "ball", copying your sentences and starting to put words together.
How many words should my child say at 12, 18 and 24 months?
The sources set their markers differently, so it helps to see them side by side.
| Age | What the sources describe |
|---|---|
| 12 months | A special name for a parent (CDC); "ma-ma" and "da-da", and understands about 10 simple words (Pregnancy, Birth and Baby) |
| 15 months | One or two words besides "mama" or "dada" (CDC) |
| 18 months | Three or more words besides "mama" or "dada" (CDC) |
| 18 to 24 months | Between 1 and 7 new words a week (Pregnancy, Birth and Baby) |
| 2 years | Two words together (CDC); about 50 words and 2- or 3-word sentences (Pregnancy, Birth and Baby) |
| 30 months | About 50 words (CDC) |
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby's 18–24 month page puts about 50 words at 24 months, while the CDC lists it at 30 months because it uses the age by which 75% of children have a skill. Both agree that joining two words is the key step around age 2. Words don't need to be perfect: the CDC counts "ba" for ball.
How can I help my baby learn to talk?
You don't need flashcards or apps. These ideas come from the NHS guide to helping your baby talk, Pregnancy, Birth and Baby's talking to your baby and the CDC.
Birth to 6 months
- Hold your baby close and look at them while you talk.
- Talk through feeds, nappy changes and baths.
- Use a happy, sing-song voice. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby says "baby talk" helps babies learn to listen and respond.
- Copy your baby's sounds, then pause so they can "answer".
- Sing, which the NHS says helps babies tune in to the rhythm of language.
6 to 12 months
- Name and point to things you're both looking at: "Look, a black cat."
- Look at books together and talk about the pictures; you don't have to read the words.
- Build on your baby's sounds. The CDC suggests repeating their sound and adding a real word that uses it.
- Play peek-a-boo and turn-taking games.
- Teach gestures like waving bye-bye.
12 to 24 months
- Offer choices: "Do you want an apple or a banana?"
- If a word comes out wrong, say it back correctly without criticising.
- Sing songs with actions; the NHS says the actions help children remember the words.
- Repeat words in everyday phrases and give short, simple instructions.
- Play "Where's your nose?" and other body-part games.
2 to 3 years
- Add a few more words to what your child says ("Car." "Yes, a big red car.").
- Say their name first to get their attention, and give them time to answer.
- Talk through everyday jobs like shopping, cooking and cleaning.
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby also suggests getting down to your child's eye level so they can see your mouth move, and praising new words.
Do dummies and screens affect talking?
The NHS says it's hard to learn to talk with a dummy in your mouth. It suggests offering a dummy only at sleep time and aiming to stop dummies completely by 12 months. Our dummies guide covers safe use.
Background noise also makes listening harder, and the NHS suggests switching off the TV and radio when you're talking together. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby suggests turning off the television and putting down your phone so you can give your baby your full attention. The CDC recommends keeping screens to video calls with loved ones for children under 2. See screen time.
Will speaking two languages at home delay talking?
No. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby's bilingual guide says bilingual children have the same milestones as children who speak one language and learn to speak just as quickly. While they learn, they may mix languages or go quiet for a while, which is normal. If there is a real language problem, it shows up in both languages.
Practical tips from Pregnancy, Birth and Baby and the NHS:
- Speak the language that feels most comfortable for you. The NHS says parents can each use a different language, and children adapt well.
- Start early. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby says it's best to begin both languages from birth if you can.
- Don't drop your home language when your child starts learning another one.
- Use songs, stories and play dates in your language to keep it fun.
Why do hearing checks matter for learning to talk?
Babies need to hear well to learn speech. In Australia, the newborn hearing screening test is recommended for every baby, usually within 2 days of birth and ideally within 1 month for healthy babies, or by 3 months for sick or premature babies. A "refer" result means more testing is needed, not that your baby has permanent hearing loss. Check your baby's health record to confirm they passed.
Hearing can also change after the newborn test. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby's hearing loss page says fluid in the middle ear and ear infections can cause temporary hearing loss, and some hearing loss is missed at screening. It suggests seeing your doctor or child-health nurse if your baby:
- doesn't startle at loud sounds by 3 months
- isn't starting to make sounds by 4 months
- doesn't turn towards voices by 8 months
- isn't babbling by 8 months
When should I get my child's speech checked?
See a doctor promptly if your child
- stops using words, babble or gestures they used before, or stops responding to you
- seems to stop hearing or reacting to sounds
The CDC's advice for any lost skill is not to wait: talk to your child's doctor and ask about developmental screening.
Raise it with your GP or child-health nurse if your child
| By about | Worth raising if they |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 months | Don't startle at loud sounds or aren't making sounds |
| 8 to 9 months | Aren't babbling, don't turn to voices or don't look when you call their name |
| 12 months | Don't wave bye-bye or use other gestures, or don't respond to their name |
| 18 months | Use no single words, don't point to show you things or don't follow simple instructions |
| 2 years | Don't join two words together or don't copy words |
These points come from the CDC checklists and Pregnancy, Birth and Baby's pages above. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby also suggests seeing a doctor if your child has limited eye contact, isn't interacting with people, seems floppy or stiff, or isn't equally strong on both sides of their body.
Your GP or child-health nurse can refer your child for a hearing test, a speech pathology assessment or a developmental assessment. In the UK, the NHS says you can also refer your child to a speech and language therapist yourself. The CDC's screening page notes the AAP recommends autism screening at 18 and 24 months, or whenever a parent or doctor is concerned. If you notice stuttering, Pregnancy, Birth and Baby's speech problems page recommends seeing a speech pathologist as soon as you notice it.
What's worth writing down?
Keep a running list of your child's words in every language, with the date each one first appeared, plus gestures like pointing and waving. It helps you notice whether new words are still coming, and it gives your GP, child-health nurse or speech pathologist a clear picture. It's also a lovely keepsake.
