Encouraging Babbling

Updated on June 14, 2011
L.A. asks from Kew Gardens, NY
12 answers

Any ideas on what, if anything, we mgiht do to get our little one to try his hand at babbling. He makes a little grunting noise, he sometimes raspberries, but he's largely very quiet. He's 8 months old and otherwise a healthy, active boy.

I must be a fool. I should probably consider his quiet nature a blessing, and rest assured that he'll be making plenty of noise soon enough.

Any thoughts?

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S.L.

answers from New York on

dont just talk to him make noises and sillly sounds while you play with him, make car sounds, beeping noises and animal sounds These are easier to imitate then words.

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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

The book "Nurtureshock" has a chapter on how babies move between stages of language. They suggest that responding to your baby's noises is more important that talking to them alot. So, when he makes a noise, express your delight with him!

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S.O.

answers from Rapid City on

I would just talk to him all the time (i.e. when you are getting him dressed, feeding, playing, etc.) Just keep talking to him and he will start "talking" up a storm back to you.

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M.P.

answers from Raleigh on

My son was like this. I worried he wasn't doing much babbling. Then one day, a switch came on when he was about 1 year old and he hasn't hushed since. lol Just talk to him, point to things and name them over and over, etc. He's listening, so that's the most important thing.

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K.P.

answers from Seattle on

I think part of your statement is true, but not the part you think. Your not a fool, but you are right, he will be making plenty of noise soon. He is just taking his time and he will get there.

Talk to him more, tell him what you are doing and make funny noises at him. If you are relatively quiet, he is taking after you. Get loud mama!
I always try and make eye contact with my son when I talk to him so he understands "I am talking to you" and then he will engage too.

Turn on the radio and get some music going to liven things up and maybe he will join in.

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K.H.

answers from Phoenix on

Have a running dialogue with him. Basically, think out loud all the time. When I'm with my daughter, I constantly chatter about how my day was, what I need to pick up at the grocery store, my debate over whether to cut my hair, etc. It feels silly at first because your baby will look at you like you're crazy, but it helps him to acquire words and understand speech patterns.

Have fun!

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

He's 8 months old.
It will occur.
Right now, the raspberries and grunts are ALL precursors to "babbling."
These are 'practicing' moments.
It is all developmental based and normal.
It will occur on its own.

Then "babbling" and making other sounds, is a precursor to 'talking."
It all occurs in stages. Increments.

One day he will not be all quiet.
I know, my son was like that. He is now the MOST talkative and noisy one in our family.

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P.K.

answers from New York on

They all do things in their own time. A few months from now you will be
writing about his constant yelling (not crying) just yelling. They like to hear
their own voice. It will come.

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H.F.

answers from Pocatello on

Have your doctor test his hearing, as long as he can hear well and you talk to him and sing ot him every day, he will learn to talk. Some babies are quieter than others, and sometimes kids have language delays, it can be hard to tell the difference at such a young age. If he is not babling more by the time he's one-18 months then you may have a problem.

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T.S.

answers from Sacramento on

Just keep talking to him. Sometimes we think that because they "can't understand" we don't need to talk, but talking is what MAKES them understand and try to talk themselves. The babbling is baby trying to imitate speech so the more he hears, the more he'll try.

When he DOES attempt a speech sound, respond like he's talking. "Oh really?" "I totally agree!" etc. so he learns the conversation flow.

Keep up the good work, mama.

HTH
T.

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

have a constant narration during the day at all times.

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A.G.

answers from Albuquerque on

My son is a noise machine and has been since he was about 6months old, my daughter on the other hand ( they are 10months old) has just the occasional da-da. Im sure he will make plenty of noise sooner than you know it!

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