Speech Milestones

By Najiah N

Other than a baby’s growth and a baby milestones, there is also a “Speech Milestones” that a parent should know. It is an explanation about an age by age baby speech development.

0-2 months

A baby can express, if s/he is hungry, sleepy, or feeling uncomfortable because of his/her wet diaper, through cries. S/he can hear all the sounds from his/her surroundings and then give respond to those sounds like searching from where the sound coming from, her/his head will turn towards the sound. Stimulate your baby by giving classical music which is proven can help baby brain development.

Toys that can give noises such as musical toys or rattle toys are also recommended. At the age of two months some babies can even make sound, that’s why you should talk to your baby often to stimulate him/her to make more sounds as if s/he is talking.

3-5 months

A baby at this age can produce vocal “aaaa…” when you talk to him/her. Sometimes s/he is talking by her/himself and making the murmur voice, like when you rinse after brushing your teeth. Those voices are the expressions of happiness, angry, tired, or sleepy. There is a slight difference between those voices when expressing different meaning, only the parent knows the meaning, you just have be sensitive.

6-8 months

A baby can mumble with different intonations. Those intonations are sometimes high and sometimes low. If you talk to your baby s/he can respond with smile, laugh, and movements. A baby can say “ma..ma…ma…mam…pa..pa..” Sometimes s/he can repeat things you said, or it sounded like if s/he is repeating things we said.

9-11 months

A baby keep repeating the sound of “ma..ma..pa..pa…” if it’s an effort of talking, and making a sound of a word. If you call her/his name s/he will turn his/her head to the voices which is calling her/him. If s/he wants something s/he will make sounds as if s/he is calling or wanting for your attention.