5 1/2 Month Not Babbling

Hi S.

My name is Chris, I live in a little town called Littlehampton, which is on the south coast of England
I have a daughter of 25yrs and a son of 23yrs.
My son Ian didn't speak very much at all until he was about 18months. He made noices and spoke the odd word but that was it.
I use to worry myself sick.
He had hearing tests and they always said his hearing was fine.
When he reached around 20 months, he started speeking in sentances, which was a real shock and a big relief.
After that we could never shut him up and still can't at the age of 23yrs.
I like to think it was a combination of lazyness and he just sat and took it all in until he was ready.
I hope this might help a little. You have a beautiful son.
Regards Chris

She's got plenty of time. My son was babbling early and our friends son near his age wasn't, my son started his words sooner also, though our friend's son started babbling/words later, once he did start talking I swear it was just about in full sentences! and now he's ahead of ours speech wise. She could be taking everything in, don't worry unless you're getting several other signs of not thriving, your ped. can walk you through that but it sounds like she's doing great!

Not to scare you, but see a doctor, could be early signs of artism or just not ready to speak yet. M.

Hi S.. Try not to worry too much. Every child is different.Do hearing tests at home..call her name where she can't see you.Next pediatrician visit ask them what they think,too. I was very crushed that my son who was a preemie would only say Da-da from about 5-8 mos. He was what I would call a "watcher"..he had no problem communicating non-verbally..He'd reach for things and look at me so I knew he wasn't autistic.I knew he was not deaf because he would not take his eyes of Sesame St(concentration) and enjoyed noise toys..I would find him awake from a nap and he'd be gurgling and coo-ing to himself ...He finally talked and gave me a complete sentence.."Give me that" one day when I had a cookie and he was in the high chair.I was beginning to worry that he was mentally handicapped! He's 17 and 4.0 in Honors classes now! He waited til he was 15 months to walk,too!

I would contact your pediatrician and your local Alta California Regional office. It could be a sign of a problem. We used Alta California Regional's services for my oldest son (he did not speak until he was 3) and they were fantastic! Plus, it is free. If you do need services, they will do it in your home (or another place where she feels safe).

I'm not sure what the milestone lists say about when babies should start babbling but my 2nd child, now a little over 6 months old is not babbling. He coos and also is starting to do the same thing with pushing air out of his lips. I don't recall when my first started babbling but 6 months seems early to tell you the truth. The one thing I learned with no. 1 and being around all of the other kids at his daycare as he got a little older is that they really all develop at very different rates so don't worry too much.

I'm sure all is well. I don't remember when either of my kids started babbling, but my oldest didn't say more than a handful of words before he was two, and at three he had the biggest vocabulary and spoke very clearly.

I think your pediatrician will ask about cooing and babbling at your 6 month appt, so if you're still concerned then, check with him.

You can always ask your childs doctor about what they think it might give you a peice of mind since you seem concerned. My own daughter however didnt talk till later either. Then suddenly I started getting entire sentences. Now at 5 and 1/2 i wonder if she will ever stop talking :)

My 10-month-old son wasn't babbling around 5-6 months old too (though making plenty of noises when fussy/crying). I remember asking his pediatrician at the 6-month check-up and he said it was very typical for babies to go through a "silent" period. He said not to worry, that soon our son would start making different vowel sounds (which turned out to be true). He's now into trying different consonant sounds. I think his motor skills are developing more quickly than his language skills, which could just be the way he is.

I think a key bit here is to trust your guts. And to look for the big picture as well as small details. If you are just looking at a list of milestones and one is not happening, relax. If your child is giving you multiple clues that something is amiss (in this case you're looking for signs that she is communicative - reciprocity in general, eye contact, responsive gestures, responsive to environmental sounds, etc.), then seek the advice of your pediatrician or someone who sees lots of children and can give you some perspective. The range of what's normal is HUGE, and while early intervention is invaluable for many people, it's also important to trust your baby's own timeline.

Hi S.. Does she respond to sound and stimuli??? If so, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Keep talking to her. Read her stories, sing to her. She will start "babbling" soon enough. Some babies are a little older when they start. If she is not responding to sound or stimuli, talk to her Pediatrician. I am sure she is just fine. K. San Leandro

Hi S.:
You need to contact The San Andreas Regional Center
###-###-#### in San Jose...and tell them that you are concerned about your child and explain it to them... they will sent to you home a specialist to check her out for free, and if she qualifies for services such as speech therapy, she will also get them for free untill she needs them no more!!!
P.D. this is how I knew my boys were autistic, and thanks to their intervention they get the best of the best for free!!!They are doing better!!! There might not even be a problem, but let the experts rule it all out for you!!!

My son did the same thing and it was hard for me because my 1st (daughter) was saying words & signing by 6 mos. His babbling started really late and so did his words. I don't believe this is an intellectual indicator at all. My son understood everything that other kids did, if not more, and was very observant. He is now 18 months and can say many words and communicates a lot through signing. He is although very quite around strangers and outside of our home. He mostly talks at home and around familiar faces. He is also generally very mellow and shy where my daughter was super outgoing and friendly.

I would just watch for other indicators of something more serious like eye contact, grasping toys, wanting to sit, etc.. If all these things are going well I wouldn't worry.

Good luck & congrats on your little joy!