Baby Not Making Excited Sounds or Squealing
Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, PhD, CCC-SLP · Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Content reviewed against published ASHA, AAP, CDC guidelines
Last reviewed:
Speech and communication milestones vary widely, and worries about baby not making excited sounds or squealing, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Squealing and excited vocalizations typically emerge between 3 and 5 months as babies experiment with their voice. Some babies are naturally quieter, while others are vocal early. If your baby is cooing and socially engaging but not squealing yet, they are likely developing normally.
Key takeaways
- Squealing and excited vocalizations typically emerge between 3 and 5 months as babies experiment with their voice. Some babies are naturally quieter, while others are vocal early. If your baby is cooing and socially engaging but not squealing yet, they are likely developing normally.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is under 4 months and making cooing sounds but has not started squealing yet
- Call your doctor if: Your baby does not respond to sounds or voices, suggesting a possible hearing concern
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to ASHA, AAP, CDC guidelines, squealing and excited vocalizations typically emerge between 3 and 5 months as babies experiment with their voice. Some babies are naturally quieter, while others are vocal early. If your baby is cooing and socially engaging but not squealing yet, they are likely developing normally. At 0-3 months, babies are primarily cooing and making soft vowel sounds at this stage. Squealing has not typically developed yet. Your baby is building the vocal cord strength and breath control needed for louder, more varied sounds. It is generally considered normal when your baby is under 4 months and making cooing sounds but has not started squealing yet. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby does not respond to sounds or voices, suggesting a possible hearing concern.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
0-3 months
Babies are primarily cooing and making soft vowel sounds at this stage. Squealing has not typically developed yet. Your baby is building the vocal cord strength and breath control needed for louder, more varied sounds.
3-5 months
This is when squealing, shrieking, and high-pitched excited sounds usually appear. Babies discover they can make loud noises and enjoy the reaction they get. Not all babies squeal at the same age, and temperament plays a role in how vocal a baby is.
5-7 months
Most babies are squealing, growling, blowing raspberries, and experimenting with a wide range of sounds. These vocal play behaviors are important precursors to babbling. If your baby is still very quiet with minimal sound variety by 6 months, mention it to your pediatrician.
7-9 months
Babies are transitioning to babbling with consonant-vowel combinations. Squealing may decrease as more complex vocalizations take over. If your baby has never made excited high-pitched sounds and also lacks other vocalizations, a hearing evaluation may be recommended.
9-12 months
At this stage, babbling and intentional sound-making are more important milestones than squealing. However, if your baby has been consistently quiet throughout infancy with very limited sound production of any kind, a comprehensive speech and hearing evaluation is advisable.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed baby not making excited sounds or squealing and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is over 6 months and makes very few sounds of any kind, not just squealing.
- Mention if your baby does not seem to react with excitement or interest to stimulating toys, games, or people.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby is under 4 months and making cooing sounds but has not started squealing yet
- Your baby has a calm temperament and makes sounds quietly rather than loudly
- Your baby squeals occasionally but not as frequently as other babies you know
- Your baby is making a variety of other sounds like coos, gurgles, or raspberries even without squealing
- Your baby is over 6 months and makes very few sounds of any kind, not just squealing
- Your baby does not seem to react with excitement or interest to stimulating toys, games, or people
- Your baby's overall vocal production seems unusually limited compared to developmental expectations
- Your baby does not respond to sounds or voices, suggesting a possible hearing concern
- Your baby shows no emotional response to any stimulation and appears withdrawn or unengaged
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice baby not making excited sounds or squealing — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is under 4 months and making cooing sounds but has not started squealing yet — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-3 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Talk, read, and sing to your baby frequently. Narrate daily activities to build language exposure.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your baby does not respond to sounds or voices, suggesting a possible hearing concern.
Related Conditions
Baby Is Very Quiet and Not Vocalizing
Some babies are naturally quieter than others, just like some adults are more talkative than others. However, all babies should be making some sounds - cooing by 3-4 months and babbling by 7-9 months. If your baby is very quiet and rarely makes any vocal sounds, it's important to have their hearing checked and discuss their development with your pediatrician. A quiet baby isn't always a concern, but it's worth investigating.
Baby Not Making Vowel Sounds
Most babies begin making vowel sounds - those lovely "oooh," "aaah," and "eee" sounds - around 2 to 3 months of age. This early cooing is one of the first steps in language development. Some babies are naturally quieter than others, but if your baby isn't making any vowel sounds by 4 months, it's worth checking in with your pediatrician to make sure hearing and development are on track.
Baby Not Experimenting with Sounds
Between 4 and 6 months, babies typically enter a stage of vocal play where they experiment with squealing, growling, blowing raspberries, and varying pitch and volume. This stage builds the foundation for babbling. If your baby is not exploring different sounds by 6 months, a hearing check may be a good first step.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is baby not making excited sounds or squealing normal?
When should I call the doctor about baby not making excited sounds or squealing?
When is baby not making excited sounds or squealing normal?
What causes baby not making excited sounds or squealing?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about baby not making excited sounds or squealing?
Is baby not making excited sounds or squealing normal at 0-3 months?
Is baby not making excited sounds or squealing normal at 3-5 months?
Should I go to the ER for baby not making excited sounds or squealing?
Does baby not making excited sounds or squealing go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Baby Not Making Excited Sounds or Squealing.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed baby not making excited sounds or squealing and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is over 6 months and makes very few sounds of any kind, not just squealing.
- Mention if your baby does not seem to react with excitement or interest to stimulating toys, games, or people.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby is over 6 months and makes very few sounds of any kind, not just squealing
- Your baby does not seem to react with excitement or interest to stimulating toys, games, or people
- Your baby's overall vocal production seems unusually limited compared to developmental expectations
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby does not respond to sounds or voices, suggesting a possible hearing concern
- Your baby shows no emotional response to any stimulation and appears withdrawn or unengaged
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of baby not making excited sounds or squealing are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby does not respond to sounds or voices, suggesting a possible hearing concern.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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Related Speech Concerns
Baby Is Very Quiet and Not Vocalizing
Some babies are naturally quieter than others, just like some adults are more talkative than others. However, all babies should be making some sounds - cooing by 3-4 months and babbling by 7-9 months. If your baby is very quiet and rarely makes any vocal sounds, it's important to have their hearing checked and discuss their development with your pediatrician. A quiet baby isn't always a concern, but it's worth investigating.
Baby Not Making Vowel Sounds
Most babies begin making vowel sounds - those lovely "oooh," "aaah," and "eee" sounds - around 2 to 3 months of age. This early cooing is one of the first steps in language development. Some babies are naturally quieter than others, but if your baby isn't making any vowel sounds by 4 months, it's worth checking in with your pediatrician to make sure hearing and development are on track.
Baby Not Experimenting with Sounds
Between 4 and 6 months, babies typically enter a stage of vocal play where they experiment with squealing, growling, blowing raspberries, and varying pitch and volume. This stage builds the foundation for babbling. If your baby is not exploring different sounds by 6 months, a hearing check may be a good first step.
Accent vs Speech Disorder in Bilingual Toddlers
When toddlers grow up hearing more than one language, they naturally blend sounds, patterns, and accents from both languages. This is normal and healthy, not a speech disorder. A bilingual child may pronounce some sounds differently than monolingual peers because they are learning the sound systems of two languages simultaneously. True speech disorders affect both languages equally, while accent influence appears only in specific sounds borrowed from one language to another.
Ear Fluid Affecting Baby's Speech Development
Chronic or recurrent middle ear fluid (otitis media with effusion) can temporarily reduce hearing by 15 to 40 decibels, which is like hearing through water. During critical periods of language learning, this muffled hearing can impact speech and language development. If your baby has frequent ear infections or persistent fluid, discuss the potential speech impact with your pediatrician.
Will Ear Tubes Help My Child's Speech?
Ear tubes (tympanostomy tubes) can restore normal hearing by draining persistent fluid from the middle ear. Many children show speech and language improvement within weeks to months after tube placement, particularly if hearing loss from fluid was contributing to their speech delay. However, ear tubes alone may not resolve all speech delays, and some children benefit from speech therapy alongside tube placement.