Baby Talk: Communication Milestones in the First Year
Your baby’s first year is an amazing journey of discovery, connection, and—yes—lots of noise! From the earliest coos to their first "mama" or "dada," from day one, your little one is constantly learning how to communicate. Let’s break it down by age so you can celebrate all the small (and big!) wins along the way.
0-3 Months: Tiny Talkers in Training
Even as newborns, babies are wired to connect! In these early months, they’ll:
Make eye contact with you like they’re trying to memorize your soul (spoiler alert: they are!).
Quiet down or perk up when they hear your voice.
Flash that magical, gummy smile in response to familiar faces.
Start “cooing” with vowel-like sounds “ooo”, “eeee”, “ahhh”, which is their way of saying, “Hey, I’m part of the conversation too!”
Cry differently for different needs—hunger, discomfort, or just needing a cuddle each come with their own soundtrack!
3-6 Months: Babble On
By now, your baby’s got a lot to say! You’ll notice them:
Turning their head toward sounds (even if it’s the family dog barking again).
Babbling with new sounds like "ba" and "ga," testing out their growing vocal range.
Vocalizing to get your attention—they’re basically saying, “Feed me, please!” or “Where’s my toy?, or just “Look at me!”
6-9 Months: Little Copycats
At this stage, your baby’s communication skills really start to shine. You might see them:
Imitating sounds you make.
Using gestures like pointing or reaching to show you what they want.
Babbling with more complex sounds—think “ba-da-ga” combos.
Participating in two-way communication—when you talk to them, they’ll “talk” back with coos, babbles, or giggles. It’s their version of a conversation!
9-12 Months: First Words, Big Wins
The end of the first year is when things get really exciting! Your baby may:
Understand between 20-200 simple words like "no" (though they may pretend they don’t), “shoe”, “puppy”
Starts to follow simple directions: “Come here”, “wave bye-bye”
Say 1-2 words with meaning, often “mama” or “dada”—and no, this isn’t a competition (wink, wink).
Use gestures like waving or pointing to communicate their needs and wants.
Use “jargon”—long strings of nonsense syllables or pretend words that don’t make sense but sound just like real sentences. It’s baby’s way of practicing their future conversations!
Did You Know?
Did you know your baby can hear you while still in the womb? By around 25 weeks, they begin to recognize familiar sounds, like your voice! That’s why newborns often calm down when they hear mom or dad speaking—they’ve been listening all along! 🍼👂💖
Parent Pro Tip: Get face-to-face with your baby during playtime—literally! When you’re at their eye level, they can see how your mouth moves when you talk, which helps them learn to copy those sounds. Plus, it’s a great way to soak up those adorable giggles!
Remember, every baby is different, and milestones are more like guidelines than hard-and-fast rules. If you’re ever unsure or just want to chat about your little one’s progress, your pediatric speech therapist is here to help. You are certainly welcome to contact us for a free phone consult to discuss questions or concerns. Find our contact information at www.northernstartherapy.com and happy chatting! 😊
