Baby’s first words are a BIG deal. Before you hear “mama” or “dada,” there are months of listening and language work that happen first. During the 7-to-9-month window, not only is your baby understanding more words, but they’re also playing with their own voice to imitate speech patterns. They’re getting ready to talk!
Your baby is working hard, building a mental library of words and what they mean, well before they can say them. They’re making connections between what they hear and the accompanying words, people, objects, and routines.
And you’re working hard too to support their language development! Every time you read aloud, narrate your day, describe what they’re looking at, or respond to their sounds, you’re helping them make those connections.
Highlights
- At this age, your baby is a more active listener, and can understand more than they can say
- Babbling like “ba-ba-ba” and “da-da-da” is your baby practicing the mechanics of speech, and it means first words are around the corner
- Milestones for 7-9 month olds include turning to their name, imitating sounds, and joining in on peek-a-boo are all milestones to watch for
- Responding to the sounds your baby makes, creating back-and-forth “conversations” builds the foundation for their communication skills
If something feels off about your baby’s hearing or language development, talk to your pediatrician right away.
What Happens Before Baby Starts Talking?
At this stage, your baby is listening to learn! They may not be saying words yet, but they’re starting to understand them. At the same time, you may notice your baby trying to imitate sounds or match your voice.
Now that they’re sitting up, you might notice your 7-9-month-old turning when you call their name, pausing when they hear “no,” or looking toward a familiar object or person when named, (“Where’s grandpa?” or “I see your bottle!”).
Other milestones you may be noticing around this age:
- Listens to and begins to participate in games like peek-a-boo (They put their hands to their eyes) or songs like Pat-a-Cake (They clap their hands), etc.
- May respond to familiar routines by hearing first, without your gestures (They raise arms when you say “Up”).
- Attempts to imitate some consonants and vocal inflections that they hear.
- Understands when they hear the names of some people and objects, like mama or blankie.
Concerned your baby isn’t hitting these milestones yet? Listen to your parent gut and talk to your pediatrician. All babies develop at their own pace, but you know your baby best. If you think your child has a hearing problem, it’s important to take action right away. Hearing builds the foundation for saying first words, learning to read, and more, so there’s no time to waste!
Why Do Babies Babble?
Your baby has loved listening to you since day one. All that listening has set the stage for your baby to use their voice in new ways. That string of “ba-ba-ba” and “da-da-da” coming from your baby’s crib is how your baby practices the physical mechanics of speech. They’re practicing using their lips, tongue, and breath to produce different sounds. They’re also listening to and experimenting with the rhythms and patterns of speech, over and over.
Basically, they’re creating a feedback loop. Make a sound. Hear it. Do it again. Hearing their own voice helps them connect the sounds they’re making with the movements required to make them. Think of it as practicing for every word that comes later.
How to Help Baby Say Their First Words
At 7 to 9 months, your baby is becoming more conversational. When they vocalize, pause, and look at you, you can encourage the conversation and help your baby say their first words!
When your baby makes a sound, respond as if you’re engaged in a conversation with an adult. “Oh, wow! That’s fascinating. Tell me more. What else?” Pause, lean in, and wait to see what comes back. The pause might feel longer than normal, but that gives your baby time to process and respond to you.
When reading aloud to your baby, pause on a favorite page. What does your baby have to say? Keep the conversation going by naming and describing what’s on the page. “You see the moon! You’re right – the moon is up in the sky!”
Practicing conversation like this teaches them that communication is a back-and-forth exchange. This is sometimes called serve and return, and it’s an important interaction for developing first words.
You can also give your baby a play-by-play and narrate what’s happening. It can be something you’re doing — “I’m making your bottle! You’re hungry, and it’s time to eat!” — or something they’re doing — “You’re reaching for your toy! Stretch, stretch, stretch! You got it! Look at you holding your toy!” Putting words to actions helps your baby connect language to experience.
When your baby uses their voice, you can add words to what they said. If they say “ba-ba,” you can say, “Bottle! You want your bottle!” If they say “ma-ma-ma,” you respond, “Mama! Your mama is over there! Hi, Mama!”
Those first words are just around the corner! Your interactions with your little one, especially as you talk, read, sing, and play together, set them up for success.
Hearing First helps families who have a child with hearing loss so they can learn to listen, talk, read, and thrive — just like kids with typical hearing. A parent’s dreams for their little one with hearing loss are still possible with Listening and Spoken Language (LSL). Hearing First offers free resources, learning, community, and more for families, caregivers, and professionals supporting a child with hearing loss.
Back
