My 10 Month Old Isn't Babbling Yet

Updated on December 01, 2009
S.M. asks from San Diego, CA
11 answers

Hi mommies,
My DD just turned 10m old and she isn't babbling yet. Is this normal? I know she can hear properly and understands certain words. She def. knows her name and gives kisses when we ask her too. She also can "give me a 5" when I ask her to. It's just that she doesn't make any consonant sounds. Any thoughts? Thanks so much!

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M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

My grand daughter Jeanelle was the same when she was 10 months old, and remained quiet until she was about 15 months old, . . . and then the dam broke and she hasn't stopped talking since. LOL

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K.K.

answers from San Diego on

Hello, I wouldn't worry too much yet. Our now 13 year old grandson was much the same way and was slow to talk. He also had no interest in learning ABC's or numbers before starting kindergarten. He loved to be played with and listen to one million books a day. As soon as he started kindergarten, he started learning like crazy. He is now in the 8th grade and is all Honors classes and receiving mostly A's. He is very smart and so cute that the girls can't leave him alone.
Good luck with your precious baby.
K. K.

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R.J.

answers from San Diego on

We might have different definitions of babbling... are you saying she makes no sounds whatsoever, or just no consonants?

We had lots of vowels & "L"s and thwibbts/raspberries and pop noises (babbling) until DS had 8 teeth. For him that was nearly 18 mo. Nothing for his tongue to hit against, or for his lips to curl against, for the consonants until then. He babbled constantly though, testing out his voice and different sounds. One of his favorites was to smoosh his face into the couch and pull it away, smoosh, pull away, all while making noise. Bwah Bwah Bwah Bwah Bwah!

He was a late talker (communicated fantastically, just not with words -looks, and eye contact, and body position), but a way early reader.

Some babies don't make a lot of sounds until they start talking... not even gurgle-speak, or babble-speak. Most of the time it's just personality... other times it's physical (lack of controlled breath, cleft palate, nerve problems with larynx or tongue, etc.).

At 10 months I wouldn't be stressing unless there were NO sounds, in which case straight to the Ped.

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L.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I think I heard somewhere that Albert Einstein didn't talk until he was around 5 years old. I don't know how true that is .If you're sure she can hear ,then don't worry.She'll talk when she has something to say. Meanwhile, enjoy the peace and quiet because once she starts You're gonna wish she came with an off button[on some days.]

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B.O.

answers from Honolulu on

Hi S., I honestly think she is fine. I have a friend with a 2 year old daughter who doesn't talk. However, their biggest issue is that she is handed everything and is not encouraged to talk. If you are encouraging her then you shouldn't worry. Trust me, when she starts talking she would not stop.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

She's fine. All babies develop "talking" or babbling differently. No baby develops it the same way, nor at the same pace. The fact that she is understanding what you say to her, is good and normal.

The book "What To Expect The First Year" is really good. You can find it anywhere and online. I really recommend it.

Here are some additional links:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Language-and-cognitive-development
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=2007060411035...
http://wondertime.go.com/learning/child-development/devel...
http://www.kidsdevelopment.co.uk/LanguageDevelopmentInFir...
http://www.parenting.com/article/Baby/Development/Babys-F...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babbling

I really wouldn't worry. Your baby is very young, and each baby has their own time-line/personality too. Ability to speak has nothing to do with how "smart" they are.
Both my kids are real "smart" and articulate. However they each began "talking" at different ages. My son, was even "delayed" in speech... but it had nothing to do with him having any serious "problems." And now, he is SUPER talkative and expressive and talks more than anyone else in our family!

Einstein didn't talk until 3 years old. And he was a genius!

All the best,
Susan

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R.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

my sister didn't talk till she was two, now you cant get her to stop, and she is a highly motivated very bright person...
good luck!
R.

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S.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

I wouldn't worry. My son didn't really "babble" at that age either. When I asked my pediatrician about it at his one-year apppointment, she told me that he needs to be six months behind before they'll suggest speech therapy and even at a year, he's not old enough to be that far behind. When he still had only three words at eighteen months, we had him evaluated by the Regional Center (on our ped's recommendation) and he was approved for speech therapy where he's thrived. Within a couple of weeks, his vocabulary exploded. Point is, I'm sure your daughter is fine, but even if she continues to fall "behind" there are things that can be done to help her along. If you'd like some specific pointers we got from the therapist in the meantime, feel free to e-mail me back.

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C.Z.

answers from Los Angeles on

Agreed w/ everyone else...no need for worrying. My son wasn't a babbler at 10 months either. He is 15 months old and really only started talking...he says about 4 words. He's actually right on track but I always freaked myself out thinking he was behind b/c of other babies his age. About 10 months was when I could tell the "light bulb" went off for my son. I one day asked him where the balloon was and he turned around and looked at the balloon. Now he can point to almost everything I ask him about in his 1st 100 words book. Your daughter is doing exactly what she should be at her age. The best thing you can do it keep reading to her, show her the picture books and tell her what everything is, go for walks and point out trees, flowers, dogs, etc. It's amazing...every month you'll realize she knows a whole that more than you think she does!!!
Congrats...you have a completely normal little girl! : )

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N.F.

answers from Reno on

See if there is an early intervention program near you. I will tell you that likely the ped or other experts won't have her in speech therapy until she's 18 months. My son also wasn't into consonants at 10.5-11 months (but he was also not doing a lot of other things as well) and he entered into an early intervention program. It is just nice to have him evaluated by experts and they can usually tell if they are just behind or if there is an underlying issue. If that is her only delay I am sure she'll catch up soon. My boy did and now he's babbling away but still no words at 17 months. It's hard when it's your first b/c you have no barometer... hang in there!

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L.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi S.,

I noticed the description about yourself above. I too am a working mom and working towards being a stay at home mom as well. My husband and I own our own business and we're always looking for sharp, motivated people. If you are interested in learning more, please give me a call at ###-###-####. Thanks. In terms of your question above, my daughter is also 10 months. I don't know a whole lot yet about proper development, but what I've read is there is a huge spectrum. Good luck.

L.

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