When to expect your baby's first words

Your baby is beautifully unique and will develop their language skills at their own pace. So don’t compare your baby’s talking milestones with other babies at playgroup or at the park. The ability to talk will come gradually and can vary widely.

Before they can even say their first words, they’ll be picking up on your tone and body language. Your child’s brain is like a little sponge, and they’ll learn by copying you and others around you. So, to help develop their speech, try talking to them as much as possible.

Baby speech development timeline

3 to 4 months

You’ll begin to hear your baby’s first sounds as they start to cry less and maybe gurgle sounds like “baba” or “yaya”.

4 to 5 months

They’ll begin experimenting with the pitch of their voice, laughing in response to funny faces or noises, and using sounds to get your attention. If your little one is not producing any vocal noises or there’s no eye contact, it’s worth having a chat with a health visitor or GP at this stage.

7 to 12 months

You’ll notice they start to copy you with a wide range of babble. You could have pretend conversations with them, and they may understand certain objects they’re familiar with, such as toys and clothes.

12 to 18 months

Between 12 and 18 months, your baby may start using more single words and gestures together. By around 18 months, many children can say up to 20 single words, although they may not be very clear yet.

How to help your baby develop language skills

• Talk to them as much as you can throughout the day, point out simple things, take a walk and show them new objects and colours. This will also teach them about the environment they live in
• Read books with them and talk them through picture books, pointing out familiar things
• Talk to them during playtime. Building blocks are a good toy to use, as they encourage a range of language use, such as nouns (blue), adjectives (high), and verbs (build)
• Sing nursery rhymes to make learning new words fun for them
• Follow up on the words they say, for example, if they say “duck”, say to them “yes, a yellow duck”
• Praise them when they say something; don’t focus on the mistakes
• They learn by watching your lips, too, so get down to their level when talking to them
• Offer them a choice like blue or yellow to encourage them to use their words
• Take away distractions when you’re talking to them, turn off the TV and focus your attention on their little conversations

When to seek further support

Every baby develops language at their own pace, so try not to worry if your little one takes their time. Speak to your health visitor, GP or a healthcare professional if your baby does not respond to sounds, is not babbling by 12-15 months, has not said their first words by 18 months, does not seem to understand some of what you say, or you have concerns about their hearing, eye contact or communication.

For more guidance and tips, explore the Capricare® Parent Support Hub.