Is Bilingualism Causing My Baby's Speech Delay?
The short answer
Bilingualism does not cause speech delays. Bilingual children may take slightly longer to say their first words in each individual language, but when you count words in both languages together, they're right on track. If your bilingual child has fewer than 10 total words (in any language) by 18 months or fewer than 50 by age 2, that's a delay - and you should get a speech evaluation, not drop a language.
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By Age
What to expect by age
6-12 months
Bilingual babies babble just like monolingual babies, and at the same age. They're absorbing both languages from birth and building the foundation for speech. There's no need to limit exposure to one language at this stage - the more language input they get, the better. Babies are wired to learn multiple languages simultaneously without confusion.
13-18 months
First words may come slightly later for some bilingual toddlers, but the delay is small (a few weeks to a couple of months) and not universal. Many bilingual babies say their first words right on time. When counting vocabulary, add up words in both languages. If your child has 10 words total (5 in each language, or 8 in one and 2 in the other), that counts. If they have fewer than 10 total by 18 months, mention it to your pediatrician.
19-24 months
By age 2, bilingual toddlers should have at least 50 words combined across both languages and be starting to put two words together (in either language). It's normal for them to mix languages in one sentence ("more leche") - this is called code-switching, and it's a sign of language skill, not confusion. If your child isn't reaching these milestones in total vocabulary, they need a speech evaluation, not less exposure to one language.
2-3 years
Bilingual children may have a smaller vocabulary in each individual language compared to monolingual peers, but their total vocabulary (both languages combined) should be similar. If your child is significantly delayed in understanding or expressing language in both languages, that's a true delay. Don't stop speaking your home language - research shows bilingual children with speech delays benefit from therapy in both languages, and maintaining the home language supports family connection and identity.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your child says some words in one language and some in another, and mixes them in sentences - this is typical bilingual development, not confusion.
- Your child has 50 words by age 2 when you count both languages together, even if they have fewer than 50 in each individual language.
- Your child seems to understand both languages well, even if they speak one more than the other.
- Your child's first words came a few weeks later than your monolingual friend's baby - small differences are normal and don't predict long-term delays.
- Your child is 18 months with fewer than 10 words total across both languages.
- Your child is 2 years old with fewer than 50 words combined in both languages.
- Your child isn't combining words by age 2 in any language.
- Your child doesn't seem to understand simple instructions in either language by 18 months.
- Your child is over 2 years old with very few words (under 25 total) and isn't combining any words.
- Your child has lost words they were previously using in either language.
- Your child is 3 years old and still not using sentences in any language, or is very hard to understand.
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
Worrying about your baby means you care. That is a good thing.
Related Speech Concerns
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.
Baby Failed Newborn Hearing Screen - What Now?
Failing a newborn hearing screen does not necessarily mean your baby has hearing loss. Many babies who fail the initial screen pass on follow-up testing. However, it is critical to complete follow-up testing by 3 months of age. If hearing loss is confirmed, early intervention by 6 months of age leads to significantly better language outcomes.
Baby Using Jargon but No Real Words
Jargon babbling, which sounds like your baby is having a conversation in a made-up language, typically appears between 10 and 14 months and is a positive sign that your baby is learning the rhythm and melody of speech. Real words usually emerge from jargon over the following months. If no real words appear by 16 to 18 months, a speech evaluation may be helpful.
My Baby Is Losing Words or Skills
If your child was consistently using words and has truly stopped, this is something to act on promptly. Regression - the genuine loss of skills a child previously had - is different from a normal plateau or a toddler being too busy to talk, and it always warrants a conversation with your pediatrician sooner rather than later.