Babbling for 6.5 Month Old

I have two daughters who are now in their twenties; however I remember that they both developed at different levels, my first child started to say her consonants at 6 1/2 mos. Where my younger daughter started at a little before 6 mos. Just be patient with her, read a lot of books. I used to read stories, but I also included books with simple words like, boat, mom, dad, cat, dog...etc. Talk to her a lot, and praise her when she does say certain words. Don't worry too much, she's only 6 mos. old. If you really are concerned seek another opinion from a specialist. Remember that every child develops at different ages.

I have many friends who have children, as do I, and I think all kids devlop on their own schedule. Although I am no doctor, I don't think it is anything to be concerned about at this time. If he reaches 10 months and still nothing...then I might get a second opinion. Hope this helps!!

I don't think that you should be concerned. I'm not concerned and my 7 1/2 month old doesn't babble yet. We went to the doctor just last week and he didn't say anything about it. I think that all babies just have different paces for different things. He'll talk when he's ready.

Babies are all different. My daughter who is 13 months old isnt talking much she babbles alot. She says Dada and Bubba but hardley ever says Mama. For your doctor to tell you that is like saying that every day is sunny. Nothing is really eer the same and neither are kids. He will be fine I am sure.

I don't know much about ds. But I do know everyone no matter what develops at their own rate as you know I have 4 including a 7 mo old and they are all different. My 7.5 mo girl barely says mama and ga and na no baba or dada here yet either. And my boys were slower in speaking than my girls by the way. Hope this helps a little and enjoy your baby!

Don't worry if your 6.5 month old is not saying consonants, every child is different. I have three children aging from 9-1.5. If your child is still aware of sounds I would say he's just fine. Use your motherly instinct. Mom's know best.

Hi J., I am a mother of 4 and I can only say that each child was quite different. The Pediatricians would point out certain stages that my children should be going through at the time and some of the stages were reached at different times not always at the age suggested. My last child did not start speaking fluently until after his 3rd birthday in February now he is a chatter box. So I suggest you keep an eye on your little one and allow hin time as each child is different.

Hi. JEEPERS! Is it a race? Absolutely, positively DO NOT WORRY! It's perfect that your son is doing the vowel sounds.
I am concerned, however, that your doctor made you feel like your son is behind or may have a hearing problem. It's too early to even mention such things. If he doesn't start doing additional sounds by the next 3-4 months then you might revisit this issue.

There are many reasons besides hearing. Some have to do w/ muscle tone. Others have other reason. DO'nt panic . Give it time, but be open to checking out other things.

My daughter didn't talk at all til 2 yrs. Then spoke in paragraphs!

Of course you want to stay on top of things in case there is a problem, BUT DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THIS! Six months seems pretty young to start expecting this from every child. I have four kids and two of them started saying dada about this time, but mama never came until after 10 or 11 months, and those two were very early talkers (complete sentences at 18 months). Of course pay attention to your son so that you are aware if there could be something wrong but please don't loose sleep over this. All kids are different, and like I said, six months is very young.

I'm a mom of 4, and can assure you that every child learns at a different rate. There are a few things you may want to consider before you panic about hearing problems :)
First, since it is your first child, chances are he is not around other children for long periods of time. Children learn very quickly when they are in an environment with other children, especially older children. Also, sometimes as new mommies, we tend to do a lot of baby talk to our babies. That's very cute and we almost can't help it, but it's very important to speak to them in a normal dialect. They are tiny, but they start learning the different sounds very early! I would recommend spending a lot of time talking to him, but make sure you're face to face, where he can see your mouth moving and where he can put together your sounds with the fact that they're coming from your mouth :) Don't expect too much from him, start slow and maybe with just one word at a time... like, mama... or dada. You'll be surprised how smart babies are! If baby goes to daycare, have your daycare provider watch him closely to see if she catches him babbling! I have a 10 month old right now who refused to clap until last week :) Go figure! Sometimes babies just don't do stuff until they want to.
With all that said, still keep a close eye on him. If you notice that he really isn't connecting the sounds, make sure to tell the doctor. The worst thing we can do as parents is go into denial, because we want to make sure that our babies get the help they need when they need it. Again, you say stuff startles him and he seems to hear sounds, right? I'm willing to bet that spending a little more chatting time with him will probably get him up to speed!

Good luck to you, and happy parenting!!!

Each child is different and lack of babbling is not a sign of hearing issues! A 6mo old should be experimenting with sounds but full words are not the 'norm'. I have known children who at 18mo are just starting to get full words. Each child develops differently, some start walking early and seem to develop language slower others start talking early and walk later. I wouldn't worry a bit about this! But I would find a new ped. cause this one is a bit off on her knowledge of development.

I personally wouldn't be worried...Babies develope at different times and 6 months seems a little early to me to be concerned. If you are though it wouldn't be too hard to get him into an ENT doc and just have them do a hearing test. One of my sons had really bad ear infections from about 6 months to 1.5 years and after we got some tubes in his ears he started talking like crazy. Good luck!

Well, I'm no pediatrician, but from what I remember babies should be babbling at your child's age but it seems a little strict to be pronouncing possible hearing problems because there's no consonants. But, what always seemed to happen to me is that whatever milestone was coming up inevitably appeared a couple weeks AFTER the well check visit with dr. No teeth - showed up the next week. Babbling and no words - out came dada a week later. Good luck

Relax, your son is most likely just fine! Every child develops differently, and most boys learn speech later than girls. My oldest DS started really talking around 2 1/2, and my youngest is 20mos. old an tries to talk, but real words don't come out much. Six and a half months is very early for worrying about talking. Even though I thought my oldest was a late talker, he did start to talk, and now we sometimes want him to just be quiet! :-) (he is 3 1/2 now, and boy does he go on, and on!) Enjoy your little one, the time flys so fast!

I would not lose any sleep over it yet, every baby is differant. Yes he should be making alot of sounds that sound like mama or dada but to say them perfectly clear at this time is expecting quite a bit from your child. You also said you were a working mom how much time a day can you spend talking to your child face to face so he sees you mouth and clearly hears the sounds you are saying? Does your child care provider do this with your child? You also said that this was your first child....children learn alot faster when they interact with other kids even at 6 months they learn from watching others and it is also a great modivater to talk, crawl etc.( when they watch other kids in action) There is a program in each state that works with kids from birth to 18 that helps parents with these type of issues and questions. They will obbserve your child for free tell you where they are in moter skills etc. and give you info to help and if they qualify for the program it is free. They work with your schedual and even sometime have there own Doctors (so you don't wait 5 months for a specialist. Back east it was "The Early on Progran" here in NV it is " The Nevada intervention program" I hope this will help.
Good Luck From Fran

My 7 month old (fourth child) only says consonants on rare occasions. All children develop at different rates and doctors sometimes forget that we are individuals, not statistics. In my opinion, if he is responding to sounds then there is probably not a probelm. As for suggestions, when you talk to him make sure you enunciate very well. If you tend to drop letters at the ends of words he may not be hearing them. Also one thing I did with my babies is playing toungue games. Babies love to imitate so sticking your toungue out and touching your lips and making distinct consonant sound may help.
S. W

I am a mom of an 18 mo. old, but have been a special educator and child therapist for many years. There is often a range within the norm for a child's development. While I think you need to pay attention and be aware, and perhaps do a consult with a speech therapist to ease your mind, your child may be just fine. It is true that ear infections can cause hearing problems and then speech delays, however here are some tips to support language development( which you may already be doing). Talk to your child often, mimic his sounds and then make different sounds for him to respond to. Sing and be playful with language, babies love this and really respond. Being startled by sound and waking up isn't the same thing. People with hearing trouble often have trouble with certain consonants due to the frequency of the sound, so while subtle, it is different. Although a child that does not respond to loud sounds may certainly have an issue. It just gets tricky when it is a little more complicated.
Chances are this consonants may kick in a few months from now. I have seen such a wide range with my baby and my friends' babies. One child was a little later with this and is right on target now, more than a year later. So be aware and don't ignore signs, but don't go crazy worrying either.
A. G

Don't worry. Your baby will be just fine. With my first, he was late with consonents, but caught on quickly. He didn't repeat a word, after I would say it until he was 21 months!! Then, he never stopped. He was the valedictorian of his HS. Just talk to him a lot, read simple words and don't panic. Babies just can't be put onto an arbitrary schedule. Enjoy this time, it goes by all too quickly.

All babies develope differently. They go at there own pace. If there is a concern with the babies hearing, did the doctor set an hearing test appoinment?? Be patient, your baby will come around.

Are you kidding me????

Every kid develops differently. My boys didn't start saying "Dada" or "Mama" until they were well over a year....and my 5 year old is now speaking and reading Spanish, as well as English...and we never started speaking Spanish with him until 6 months ago - we are NOT bilingual, but we wanted him to learn.

Also, we had a friend who used to ask her son questions and then answer them for him before he had a chance to find the words. He didn't speak until he was 3...and he is fine...in fact, he doesn't shut up. Of course, she freaked and put him in occupational therapy, etc, but there was NOTHING wrong with him...and he didn't develop any faster with the therapy than he would have.

My 8 months old nephew is saying "dada" and "mama", but I don't hear it. My SIL swears he's talking.

Kids develop at different stages and nowadays parents are way too paranoid...and then their "care providers" can intensify that insecurity by making stupid comments like that.

I wouldn't worry if I were you. Kids all develop different things at different speeds. The benchmarks doctors use are guides but shouldn't be used as absolutes. For example, my oldest son (who is the biggest blabbermouth at 3 1/2) didn't get out any English-sounding words until he was just about 2. It was all his own language until then. The doctors said that by 18 months he should have 5 or more words for things, like 'mama' for me or 'ball', but he didn't have anything recognizable. But he worked it out and at 3 was right in line with all the the other 3-yr-olds. So, don't let them worry you- she's probably just fine.

That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! Your doctor is crazy!

Don't worry yet. Not every child fits into the book model. Your son sounds fine and right on target to me. My DS was talking at 9 mo. but DD did not start making those sounds until 9 mo. and DD is just begining to at 2.9 yrs. Each child is different. (She communitcates just fine though, DS talks for her.) Just keep talking to him and read, read, read to him. He will get there at his own pace.

Dear J.,

I would say that it wouldn't hurt to have it checked out - you want to find out if there is anything wrong as soon as possible so that you can correct it and give your son every opportunity! However, that said, I would not worry about it too much in the meantime - remember what you said about his being aware of sounds and noises (waking him up) - and keep in mind that EVERYone is different, and while there are certain milestones and standards, some babies will meet them - and some will be the exceptions to the rules.

God bless!
B.

I would say not to worry about it. All kids start talking at different ages. As long as your baby is making sounds in an attempt to communicate and doesn't appear to not be responsive in other ways you should relax. I had 5 children and adopted 3 as infants and none of them were "right on" when it came to talking but were all talking normally by 3 and have all turned out to be highly intelligent. My 2 yr. old granddaughter is not talking as much as some other children her age but follows directions perfectly and gets her point across so we are not concerned with her being "spot on" as to charts. I don't think any of our kids said mama, dada, baba, etc. consistently until around 12 mo. Hope this helps!!

I think you doctor is totally over reacting.....he's only six months. I wouldn't worry about it at all!

Frist of all, I applaud your pedicatrician for taking such a proactive role in speech/language development. Many do not and won't even refer to a speech pathologist until age, which is ludicrous! I am a speech language pathologist and see this over and over. Waiting until 3 has wasted so much critical time. If you ped is concerned about hearing, he/she should have refered you for a hearing screening! Not babbling consonants doesn't mean your child necessariy has a hearing problme or a speech delay. All kids do develop at different rates; however, MOST will develop according to specific milestones that are obtained via research. It's not just made up stuff. Your baby should be somewhat CLOSE to these milestones. Here are the milestones for 4-6 months:

Hearing and Understanding

4-6 Months_________________________
• Moves eyes in direction of sounds.
• Responds to changes in tone of your voice.
• Notices toys that make sounds.
• Pays attention to music.
Talking

4-6 Months__________________________
• Babbling sounds more speech-like with many different sounds, including p, b, and m.
• Vocalizes excitement and displeasure.
• Makes gurgling sounds when left alone and when playing with you.

Keep an eye on your child to see if he/she is doing some of these. If not, they should be soon. The reason it's so important is the prevalence of autism. Our field has become better at identifying kids EARLY based on these milestones. Not saying your child is autistic or showing any signs, simply explaining the importance.

Some will tell you, "My child didn't talk til 3 and now he won't shup up." This is not typical development! While SOME do go on to talk, others do not! If you wait til 3 and there IS a problem, you've wasted some of the most critical time for language development.

Just listen to your gut, pay attention to the milestones (generally) and try not to worry yet! If you see that your child is not meeting ANY of these milestones, contact a speech language pathologist. They can help determine if there's a concern or if everythigns normal.

Again, don't worry just yet. Sounds like you are a great mommy!!

I know that sounds crazy, but I don't think the doctor was asking if your child was saying his first words. In speech and language development, babies start to play with the sounds they can make with their lips, tongue, and mouth. The babbling is also vocal play. So with the /m/ and /b/ sounds in /mama/ and /baba/ is your son playing with the sounds he can make with his lips together? Is he smacking them, pushing, puckering his lips and then adding sound? These are precursors to true consonant sounds. The same with his tongue; is he playing around with the sounds he can make with his tongue? Sticking his tongue out, pushing/touching against the roof of his mouth like a /t/, /d/, or /l/ would?
Again, consonants aren't expected at this age or even meaningful words, it's just the beginning of that vocal play. Every child is different, and there is a range for normal development.
A great way to participate in that development is to engage in his vocal play. He will learn the beginnings of turn-taking in communication and will start to become aware of you and your sounds in this process. Start this when he is being more vocal and then imitate what he does. Make sure your face and his face are fairly close in proximity. If he says, "Ooh-Aah" you imitate the same....then wait for him to take another turn...you imitate and so on. It is a great way to closely interact with your baby and it will truly assist in his speech and language development.
Good Luck, have fun interacting with your little one!

Does your Pediatrician have children? Not just one, but at least two? All kids are very different. my oldeest daughter was putting 2 words together by 10 months, my son who just turned two years old is finally talking in 2-3 word sentences. I would not worry at this point. All four of mine have done it completely different from the other and they all seem to get right on track by the age of two. If your son is not saying mama and dada by about 12-15 months then look in to it further. I think Ped's now adays put too much emphasis on verbal communication. Some kids build physical abilities first and talk later and others build verbal strengths and then physical!

Good luck and rest assured that he will start saying those sweet things soon!!
W. :)

Sorry, but what is a "DS"?

hi my name is J. E. i have 5 grandsons and all of them develop differently but the one that is 9 mos old just started saying ma ma at about 7 to 8 months he still doesn't say any more words so don't worry when your baby starts talking you will not be able to stop it just enjoy the quietness right now.

Don't worry yet. You can always get his ears checked, but it seems way too early to tell. My daughter is 9 months old and babbles a little, but the dr hasn't showed any concerns. I would wait it out. In my experience I have found to not freak out and jump into conclusions.

You should not be worried at all. Every child is different as a mother we must be the voice for our kids--even when a doctor questions it. You must believe your instincts they are never wrong!!!! Good luck I know he's fine!
Susan

HI there,

I think you have to remember that all the developmental milestones are averages. My now 22 month old was only saying vowel sounds at 12 months. We were worried and took her for an audiology test... and she saw a speech therapist as well. At fifteen months, I was told that she is at 6-9 months in communication. Now, at 22 months, she is babbling constantly. She has about forty words... I still don't understand them all!!! but language is definitely developing. At 6.5 months, I would talk to your baby...read to him... and encourage him by acknowledging all the sounds that he makes... I would not get too worried at this stage. I hope that in the near future, you are saying to yourself... "Wow, I wish that little guy would just be quiet!!!!"

6 mos seems awfully early for ma ma and da da, don't worry.

I wouldn't be concerned. None of my kids said mama or dada type words until after their 1st birthdays, I think 6 mo is way to young to be expecting that.

i had the same issue with my son at an even later age - he was 1yr (he's now 10). the only difference is, I was the one worried - not the doctor. i had read in 'the books' that he should be saying more than he was at that age & the doctor asked me questions about his OTHER developments. being that he was able to do OTHER things - physical things like holding/rolling a ball, etc..the doc told me not to be concerned - that it was typical of boys to do the talking part later than the girls & that boys tend to gravitate towards the PHYSICAL side of development, and when they feel that they've mastered THAT, then they move on to the verbal challenges. in fact, my son didnt even speak real sentences until almost 2 yrs of age. nothing was/is wrong with his hearing, and now at 10 yrs old, he is one of the best players on his baseball team - with great skill in hand/eye coordination and such. also, didnt they do a hearing test with your boy in the hospital? i just had a baby girl & they came in & did a hearing test, saying that it is now mandated.....if you have real concern about the hearing, then do the test. but it is my opinion that you should not be terribly worried & i question the doctor for not looking at or questioning you about your son's OTHER accomplishments. hang in there, im sure it will all be fine.

Don't worry every baby is different. You may want to spend more face time using words with d,b,g,m in them. Enjoy your time together and words will come very soon.
A. C

That is interesting because my 9 mos still doesn't say any of those words. The doctor hasn't ever talked to us about what our daughter is saying. Did your son have his hearing checked right after he was born? If what the doctor has told you bothers you, you may want to consult another doctor.

I am a mother of two boys (ages 10 and 5) my first one started talking at a very early age and my second one was very late in talking. I never made a big deal in front of him, I just made sure I talked normal (no baby talk) and said the words several times. Two weeks before he turned three I requested a referral to a speech pathologist and he has been seeing one since. Now at the age of 5 he is communicating just like the other kids and will no longer need speech therapy. Mom's know when something is wrong don't rush things but if you do see that it might be a problem be proactive and get the help you and your child need.

Why on earth would your 6 month old be saying consonants? My 6 month old son like to babble and hear himself scream but nothing he says resembles words. I am sure your son is okay. I would be more concerned at the 9 month check up he has started saiyng mama, dada.

Every child is different. I have 8 kids. My qualifications? 6 sons that all made eagle scout. A validictorian and a salutitorian (ranked number 2). All eight of my kids are married and none of them lived together before they were married. Six of my kids' spouces came to me when no one was around and told me thanks for raising my kids to love and respect their spouce.

You said you're a working mom. That means you hired a minimum wage person to care about your child. Minimum wage begets minimum performance. No one will ever care as much for your child as you do. Your child probably doesn't get held as much as you would hold him. When you hold your child he hears you speak and learns. When no one holds him he doesn't feel loved and he doesn't learn. Want to really help you child . . .

My advice: Pay off your bills and apply for the most improtant job you'll ever have. . . a stay-at-home mom. Then have two more kids asap. Why? The closer they are in age the more they will have the same interests. A 6 yr old doesn't want to play with a 6 month old. But a 5, 3, and 1.5 year old will play together very well. Why three or more? If you have three and one gets mad the other two will play without the mad one. This will make the mad one get over it sooner and they will learn to play better together, as children AND adults.

Good luck. AND good luck at your new job . . .

Oh good Lord!!! Give the kid a break! He's only 6.5 months old! HA....I agree...doctors work with formualas and guidelines that not all kids fall into. ALL kids are different. Even within families, they are all different.

My first born is a boy, he's now 7. He spoke the usual few words boys do growing up...ball, nana (for banana)...some other simple words ...but not necessarily very verbal (which I'm now learning is a boy thing). Yet by the time he was 14 mos. he was very distinct in his pronunciations of every word and by 16 months already had short sentences down. It wasn't baby talk...he was just very clear. He could point to anything in a book and tell you what it was.

Now my daughter, who is now 18 months...has been babbling and carrying on conversations (just like a woman, ;o) ) since she was 4 months old!! When she first started up we freaked!! ....thinking how can this be that SO much verbage is coming out of this little infant!! But part of it IS the difference between boys and girls. And yet now at 18 mos. even for as much as she talks ALL day long....you can't understand anything she is saying....hahaha. She has her small library of words that WE know what she means....but in comparison to her brother at that age - worlds apart.

But yet, her specialty at this point is her fine motor skills, her very stable walking, climbing, etc. abilities, carrying very heavy items without stumbling. All of 'that' ability builds critical thinking abilities.

So, relax if your son isn't following some guideline based on what the doctor said.

It's very easy to keep testing him to make sure he isn't having any hearing problems. When you are behind him talk to him low key....does he turn around? Does he jump when there are loud noises? Keep watching him...you'll know.

But just give him more time to find his own way.

My daughter can follow every instruction I give her...so I know she understands language and connects everything. And just within the last 2 weeks I have heard her improve more clearly on certain words. So she's getting there, and as she approaches 2 yrs I'm sure she'll be even more distinct. But I learned from all the Moms around me that their boys were also not that verbal in their first year. And the girls although babbling forever it seems ...still weren't as distinct as the boys were after the first year.
But again, not a cut a dry way either way. I will say though that it is really important to read to them already. Alot. I started reading to my son at 4 weeks. Most of the time I'd just describe the page with it's colors, characters, etc. They learn from your voice inflection. It all goes in and eventually it all processes and they get it. But you need to be hands on and don't wait for teachers or preschool for them to learn.
My son learned his A,B,C's, 1,2,3's, colors, and shapes by 2.5yrs old. He's in first grade but from day one they've put him in 2nd grade advanced reading and math. And that didn't happen because of the school system. I consider my kids 'home schooled'. Going to the building every morning is just a formality.

My daughter is learning all that stuff now....and they DO get it. So if nothing else read to your son ALOT right now. Believe me it will not be in vain and from that he will hear more sounds and begin to mimic more. You should start hearing more out of him...and if that happens then you know he's getting it.

Good luck...I'm sure you'll see it'll be fine.

Hi J.
Boy do you need to change your Dr. 6 months , are you kidding me. There is enough to worry about without worrying why a 6 month old is not forming words yet.
Give it time and don't always think the Dr.s have the answers.
Christi

All children develop differently and in their own ways. The doctor shouldn't be telling you that when your baby is only 6 months old. I've known parents whose kids didn't start making noises till they were over 1 and didn't really talk till they were almost 3. Heck, at least your baby is making noises, which is a good sign. I'm so annoyed that a doctor would say that at such a young age and with your first child! Don't be concerned at this young of an age. And get other doctor's opinions when you get dumb advice like that. I remember our pediatrician would ask about us baby-proofing out house when we had our 2nd and we laughed after getting in the car because he was so serious and trying to be helpful, but he doesn't have kids and we do. Your instinct is worth more than anything in the world.

Please.......

6 months is still very young. My 10 month old started saying dada, mama, baba, just a few months ago. Dada was first. Now at 10 months, she says bubbles, ball, mama.......
Every baby is different as everyone is going to tell you.
Please don't worry!!!! He will say all of those things at his own pace! If you are worried about it, I would suggest maybe reading to him a few times a day.I did that and now my baby babbles up a storm! She says all of the vowels and constnants
Again, DON'T worry about it!!!!
Good luck!

J., your instincts are good...sounds like he is fine. 6.5 months is really early to be saying mama and dada. I wouldn't expect the baby to speak much until he's around 9+ months. Keep reading the "what to expect" books...those give you better guidelines...and maybe see another Dr for the next Well Baby check up. See what the next Dr says.

I have three girls. Each developed their speech differently, but I don't recall any of them saying much before 9-ish months. Some kids mumble in sentences when they start talking - eventually the words become understandable. Two of my girls were like this. The last baby started speaking in individual words. We could tell what she needed much easier.

My sister's first baby is the same age as my third baby - 18 mos. My sister's baby hardly says any understandable words. I don't think there is any word my third doesn't say. She shocks us. With two older sister's she has pick up on speach much faster. ALL babies are different...don't worry. You baby may not say anything for a while and then one day start speaking Shakespeare. They are amazing little creatures. Good luck.