According to the NHS, children learn to talk at different rates. The CDC notes that most babies call a parent by a specific name like "mama" or "dada" by 1 year, try one or two words besides names by 15 months, and say three or more words by 18 months. The AAP states that most toddlers use at least 50 spoken words by age 2. If a child loses skills or misses milestones, consult your doctor.
When do babies begin talking?
Speech development begins long before a baby utters their first recognizable word. Infants listen to voices, respond with sounds, and practice syllable repetition. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines milestone targets as skills that 75 percent or more of children achieve by a given age.
According to CDC milestone lists:
- 4 months: Makes cooing sounds ("ooo", "aaa"); responds with sounds when you talk; turns head toward your voice
- 6 months: Takes turns making sounds with parents; blows raspberries; squeals with excitement
- 9 months: Babbles strings of repetitive syllables ("mamama", "bababa"); lifts arms to be picked up
- 12 months: Waves "bye-bye"; calls at least one parent by a specific name ("mama", "dada"); pauses when told "no"
Timeline for first spoken words
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) HealthyChildren resource, repetitive babbling sounds like "ba", "da", "ga", and "ma" emerge between 8 and 12 months. An infant may say a word accidentally at first, learning its meaning from your enthusiastic reaction. Around their first birthday, babies deliberately use words to gain attention.
The AAP emphasizes that word counts vary widely between individual children. Some 12 month infants have two or three words, but expressive babbling that mimics speech rhythm is far more typical. The AAP counts any consistent vocalization used for a specific person or object as a true word. Receptive understanding regularly outpaces spoken language.
According to the CDC:
- At 15 months: Tries to say one or two words besides "mama" and "dada"; looks at familiar objects when named; points to ask for things
- At 18 months: Says three or more words besides names; follows one-step verbal directions without gestures
- At 2 years: Combines at least two words into phrases like "more milk"; points to at least two body parts when asked
The AAP reports that most toddlers speak at least 50 individual words by age 2, and two-word phrases typically emerge around this time. The AAP notes that some children with normal intelligence and hearing speak fewer words during this phase, with boys often developing language slightly later than girls.
How to support speech development
The NHS and AAP offer practical daily communication strategies:
- 0 to 6 months: Face your baby while speaking; narrate diaper changes, feedings, and baths; sing and imitate their sounds to teach conversational turn-taking
- 6 to 12 months: Name shared objects; read picture books together; play peek-a-boo; limit pacifiers to sleep times to encourage vocal play
- 12 to 18 months: Repeat mispronounced words correctly without criticism; offer clear verbal choices like "apple or banana"
- 18 to 24 months: Repeat key words during routines; speak in short sentences; ask simple location questions like "where is your nose"
In multilingual households, the NHS encourages parents to speak the language they feel most comfortable using.
Baby tracker
This tracker is not available in yuuvii 2.0.1. You can read articles on this topic here.
Baby development
This tracker is not available in yuuvii 2.0.1. You can read articles on this topic here.
When to worry about milestones and seek medical guidance
The NHS recommends discussing speech and language concerns with your physician, who can refer your child to a speech and language therapist if appropriate.
The CDC advises consulting your pediatrician and requesting developmental screening if:
- Your baby misses one or more age appropriate milestones on the checklist
- Your child loses previously established speech or motor skills
- You have persistent concerns about hearing or communication
Informational checklists do not substitute for formal developmental screening. Seek emergency medical care immediately if an infant appears unresponsive, unusually floppy, or has breathing difficulties. In the US call 911; in the UK call 999; in Europe call 112.
Frequently asked questions
What if my 12 month old is not saying words yet?
According to the AAP, rhythmic babbling is much more common than clear words at 12 months. The CDC 12 month milestone focuses on gestures like waving, responding to "no", and calling a parent. Consult your pediatrician if you have concerns.
How do other motor milestones unfold?
Read our guides on newborn when to start tummy time and overall progression in baby milestones by month.
Sources
- NHS: Help your baby learn to talk
- NHS Best Start in Life: Listening and learning, 6 to 12 months
- CDC: Milestones by 4 months
- CDC: Milestones by 6 months
- CDC: Milestones by 9 months
- CDC: Milestones by 1 year
- CDC: Milestones by 15 months
- CDC: Milestones by 18 months
- CDC: Milestones by 2 years
- AAP HealthyChildren: Language development, 8 to 12 months
- AAP HealthyChildren: Language development, 1 year olds
- NHS: Is your baby or toddler seriously ill?
Baby tracker
This tracker is not available in yuuvii 2.0.1. You can read articles on this topic here.
