My Baby Isn't Talking
Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, PhD, CCC-SLP · Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Content reviewed against published CDC, AAP, WHO guidelines
Last reviewed:
Speech and communication milestones vary widely, and worries about isn't talking, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
First words typically appear between 10 and 14 months, but there's enormous variation in what's normal. What matters most at first is whether your baby is communicating - pointing, gesturing, making eye contact, and babbling with different sounds - even if actual words haven't arrived yet.
Key takeaways
- First words typically appear between 10 and 14 months, but there's enormous variation in what's normal. What matters most at first is whether your baby is communicating - pointing, gesturing, making eye contact, and babbling with different sounds - even if actual words haven't arrived yet.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is under 12 months and babbling with a variety of consonant sounds, even though no clear words have emerged.
- Call your doctor if: Your baby has lost words they were previously using - any loss of language is a reason for prompt evaluation.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
Thousands of parents search for this exact thing. You are not alone.This is one of the most-searched concerns on our site.
What Parents Should Know
According to CDC, AAP, WHO guidelines, first words typically appear between 10 and 14 months, but there's enormous variation in what's normal. What matters most at first is whether your baby is communicating - pointing, gesturing, making eye contact, and babbling with different sounds - even if actual words haven't arrived yet. At 6-9 months, words aren't expected yet. At this age, you should be hearing babbling - repetitive consonant-vowel combinations like "bababa" or "mamama." Your baby should also be responding to their name and turning toward sounds. These are the building blocks of language, and they're more important right now than words. It is generally considered normal when your baby is under 12 months and babbling with a variety of consonant sounds, even though no clear words have emerged. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby has lost words they were previously using - any loss of language is a reason for prompt evaluation.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
6-9 months
Words aren't expected yet. At this age, you should be hearing babbling - repetitive consonant-vowel combinations like "bababa" or "mamama." Your baby should also be responding to their name and turning toward sounds. These are the building blocks of language, and they're more important right now than words.
10-12 months
Many babies say their first word around 12 months, but "word" is a loose term at this age. It might be "dada" used consistently for dad, or "buh" for ball - it doesn't need to sound perfect. If your baby is babbling with variety, pointing at things, and clearly understanding some of what you say ("Where's the dog?"), language is developing even without clear words.
13-15 months
Your baby might have a few words, or they might still be relying on gestures and babbling. Both can be fine. What matters is the trajectory: are they adding new sounds? Do they understand simple instructions? Are they pointing and sharing attention with you? Receptive language (what they understand) usually develops ahead of expressive language (what they say).
16-18 months
By 18 months, most pediatricians expect at least a few meaningful words. If your baby has no words by 18 months, an evaluation is recommended. But context matters - babies in bilingual homes sometimes take a bit longer to produce words in either language (though they understand both), and this is a normal part of bilingual development, not a delay.
19-24 months
Between 18 and 24 months, vocabulary typically explodes. If your toddler has fewer than 50 words by 24 months or isn't starting to combine two words ("more milk," "daddy go"), a speech-language evaluation is a good idea. Early intervention for speech is extremely effective, and many "late talkers" who get support catch up completely.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed isn't talking 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 12 months and isn't babbling with consonant sounds (like "ba," "da," "ma") - babbling variety is an important precursor to words.
- Mention if your baby is 18 months with no meaningful words at all, even in a bilingual home.
- 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 12 months and babbling with a variety of consonant sounds, even though no clear words have emerged.
- Your baby understands more than they can say - they follow simple directions, look at things you name, and clearly comprehend you.
- You're raising your baby with two or more languages - bilingual babies may say first words slightly later but typically catch up by age 2.
- Your baby uses gestures like pointing, waving, and reaching to communicate their needs effectively.
- Your baby has a few words but isn't as talkative as other babies you know - vocabulary size varies enormously within the normal range.
- Your baby is over 12 months and isn't babbling with consonant sounds (like "ba," "da," "ma") - babbling variety is an important precursor to words.
- Your baby is 18 months with no meaningful words at all, even in a bilingual home.
- Your baby doesn't seem to understand simple language - they don't respond to "no," don't look where you point, and don't follow basic requests.
- Your baby used to babble more and seems to have become quieter over time.
- Your baby has lost words they were previously using - any loss of language is a reason for prompt evaluation.
- Your baby is over 12 months and doesn't respond to sounds, their name, or voices - a hearing evaluation should be the first step, as hearing issues are a common and treatable cause of speech delays.
- Your baby is over 18 months with no words AND doesn't point, gesture, or make eye contact to communicate.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice isn't talking — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is under 12 months and babbling with a variety of consonant sounds, even though no clear words have emerged — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 6-9 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 has lost words they were previously using - any loss of language is a reason for prompt evaluation.
Related Conditions
Speech Delay in My Child
Speech delay means a child is developing speech and language skills in the expected order but at a slower pace than typical. It's one of the most common developmental concerns - affecting about 10-15% of toddlers - and early intervention through speech therapy is remarkably effective, with many children catching up fully by school age.
My Child Is a Late Talker
Late talkers are children who have fewer than 50 words or aren't combining words by age 2, but are developing normally in other areas. About half of late talkers catch up on their own by age 3, but the other half go on to have lasting language delays. Early evaluation and speech therapy can make a big difference, so it's worth acting even if you're told to "wait and see."
Baby Not Babbling
Babbling with consonant sounds like "ba," "da," and "ma" typically begins between 6 and 9 months and is an important building block for speech. Babies develop at different rates, but if your baby is not making any consonant sounds by 9 months, a hearing check is a good first step.
My Baby Isn't Babbling at 9 Months
Most babies are babbling with consonant-vowel sounds like "baba" or "dada" by 9 months. If your baby isn't babbling at all by this age, it's important to check their hearing first and then consider a speech evaluation. Babbling is a key building block for later language, and early intervention can make a big difference.
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 isn't talking normal?
When should I call the doctor about isn't talking?
When is isn't talking normal?
What causes isn't talking?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about isn't talking?
Is isn't talking normal at 6-9 months?
Is isn't talking normal at 10-12 months?
Should I go to the ER for isn't talking?
Does isn't talking go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Isn't Talking.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed isn't talking 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 12 months and isn't babbling with consonant sounds (like "ba," "da," "ma") - babbling variety is an important precursor to words.
- Mention if your baby is 18 months with no meaningful words at all, even in a bilingual home.
- 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 12 months and isn't babbling with consonant sounds (like "ba," "da," "ma") - babbling variety is an important precursor to words.
- Your baby is 18 months with no meaningful words at all, even in a bilingual home.
- Your baby doesn't seem to understand simple language - they don't respond to "no," don't look where you point, and don't follow basic requests.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby has lost words they were previously using - any loss of language is a reason for prompt evaluation.
- Your baby is over 12 months and doesn't respond to sounds, their name, or voices - a hearing evaluation should be the first step, as hearing issues are a common and treatable cause of speech delays.
- Your baby is over 18 months with no words AND doesn't point, gesture, or make eye contact to communicate.
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 isn't talking are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby has lost words they were previously using - any loss of language is a reason for prompt evaluation.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
Was this page helpful?
Related Speech Concerns
Speech Delay in My Child
Speech delay means a child is developing speech and language skills in the expected order but at a slower pace than typical. It's one of the most common developmental concerns - affecting about 10-15% of toddlers - and early intervention through speech therapy is remarkably effective, with many children catching up fully by school age.
My Child Is a Late Talker
Late talkers are children who have fewer than 50 words or aren't combining words by age 2, but are developing normally in other areas. About half of late talkers catch up on their own by age 3, but the other half go on to have lasting language delays. Early evaluation and speech therapy can make a big difference, so it's worth acting even if you're told to "wait and see."
Baby Not Babbling
Babbling with consonant sounds like "ba," "da," and "ma" typically begins between 6 and 9 months and is an important building block for speech. Babies develop at different rates, but if your baby is not making any consonant sounds by 9 months, a hearing check is a good first step.
My Baby Isn't Babbling at 9 Months
Most babies are babbling with consonant-vowel sounds like "baba" or "dada" by 9 months. If your baby isn't babbling at all by this age, it's important to check their hearing first and then consider a speech evaluation. Babbling is a key building block for later language, and early intervention can make a big difference.
Baby Not Saying Mama or Dada
Most babies say "mama" or "dada" with meaning between 10 and 14 months, though they may babble these sounds earlier without attaching them to a person. If your baby is babbling with consonant sounds, making eye contact, and communicating with gestures, the specific words will likely follow in their own time.
My Baby Isn't Pointing
Pointing typically develops between 12 and 14 months and is considered one of the most important social communication milestones. It shows your baby wants to share their world with you. If your baby isn't pointing by 18 months, a developmental evaluation is recommended - but there are lots of other ways babies start communicating that are worth noticing too.