Stopped Babbling

Yes, it is normal. He has probably shifted his focus to some other sensory function right now. He will speak again and then you will want to know how to shush him up (haha)!

I am a 33 year old mom to a 2 year old girl... and experienced the same thing you are talking about...

Hi, L.. You might want to investigate the vaccination issue. I realize that this is a very unpopular topic. However, I know & have heard of so many kids who seem to regress developmentally shortly after routine shots have been administered. I'm not out to scare anyone--I just know that too many parents accept vaccinations and don't give one thought to it! Every parent has the right (and reponsibility, in my opinion) to investigate the issue for himself.

Best wishes for your sweet son!
K. A.

Has he had any vaccines lately? For more info. check out these websites:
www.thinktwice.com
www.nvic.com (national vaccine information center)
www.marytocco.com

My son is 7 months and he did the same thing. A couple of weeks ago he started squeeling and screaming, and now he isn't babbling but trying to talk. He says mamma and babba clearly and isn't squeeling as much. I think he is trying to learn how his voice works and what he can do with it. I let him make all the noise he wants and he talks when he wants to.

Hi. I am a Mom but also an Early Intervention Specialist. I saw tons of babies and toddlers on a daily basis and assisted with assessments. It is common for children once they have mastered one thing (like babbling) to then move to something else (like sitting up or crawling). She may pick it back up again. You don't need to worry about speech delay until approximately 16 to 18 months. If you are worried about the big A (Autism), it is really hard to diagnose at this early stage. Most tests for Autism do not start until 18 months to 2 years. There are some signs at 1 year like fascination with swirling things and not responding to name when called, but those are very weak tests. I would talk to your pedicatrician. If you still have concerns, the federal government has a program called Early Intervention through IDEA (the laws over special education in the education system). ANYONE at ANYTIME can request an assessment for thier child. I believe in Michigan it is called Early On. You can look them up and give them a call. Also, check ears again. My niece stopped talking and it turned out she had so much fluid in her ears she couldn't hear. They put tubes in and it seemed to help a lot. Relax and just keep doing all the things you are normally doing, such as singing, talking and interacting.

Hello L.,

I don't remember my son necessarily at 5 months but I do remember it happening twice - once when he was about 18 months - where he stopped talking or babbling and I had the same thoughts. Everything was fine. I noticed when he did start back up he seemed to be advanced by alot. I thought afterwards - "he was spending his time observing and trying to figure things out".

I know it is hard not to worry but I'm sure everything is just great!!!!

Good Luck, L. S. - Mom of 28 month old boy

It is common for "talking" to cease while a baby is learning a new skill and it is common for mom to worry and drive herself crazy imagining the worst case.
Just before my daughter starting walking, she stopped almost all of her chattering then once she had that down, her mouth started running again!
Is he learning to or just learned to roll over? Is he starting to sit up on his own? These could be reasons why he isn't babbling as much; he is too busy exploring. I would take a wait and see approach but you could always ask at his next check up.

Hi L. -
I seem to recall my daughter did this a couple of times. The first was like your son - she just stopped, went a couple of weeks then as clear as day could say Daddy, Momma, Book, Please & Duck (well Duck was a little unclear...L!) Anyways, time went on with her one word sentences and then bam again she stopped talking - nothing for like three weeks - this time when she started up again she talked in 3-5 word sentences. I talked to my Pedatrician. She said she had seen it before & that it was normal for some kids - they recognize their sounds aren't the same as yours - that the child is studying your speech pattern to get his words to come out like yours.
My daughter is now 3 1/2 and talks more like she is about 10 or so.
If I were you I'd keep and eye on it but wouldn't worry - And keep talking to him - be sure to let him see your face - they study not only the sound but your facial movement in forming words.
Take care!

Both of my kids (now 12 and 2-1/2) babbled when they were babies and also stopped when it came time around their milestones. Then and now, they talk well and my daughter's mouth is always moving even if she has nothing important to say (LOL)! Sometimes it gets frustrating when children are constantly asking questions and moving their mouths, so enjoy the peace. It's probably just a phase, but if you are worried, call his pediatrician.

Has your son become more easily frustrated since the babbling stopped? Is he still making similar eye contact? My rule of thumb is get it checked out if I have any weird feelings. But I did read in a thread on another mommy board that that this can be common when the baby is focusing now on other developmental milestones. Is he advancing physically?
Here isthe link to the other forum in case you'd like to read it:
http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/8/438282

my daughter is 5 months 2 weeks and oddly just did the same thing. I must admit though that just as I started to think something may be wrong she started talking again. The silence lasted a couple weeks and then started back up in her crib in the morning when no one was around she did it only when by herself for like 2 weeks and I could do nothing but laugh at her about it. Now shes back to babbling to everyone I wouldn't worry if hes still making some sort of noise.