My 8 month boy doesnt babble

[CEC2019]

Hi,

My 8 month old boy doesn't babble..not saying ma da or ga..He does do a lot of squealing in different tones..er and ah...This is now worrying me a lot that he is so far behind..is it normal that he hasnt got there yet ? He is otherwise very happy and smiling..does pull him self up standing and does crawl..does anyone have any advice on this ?

Don't worry. Keep talking to him and singing and reading. Give him a few a months and if still no progress speak to your HV. The age at which they reach certain milestones is really variable and lots aren't babbling by 8 months.

Mine didn't really babble much at all. We weren't too worried because he signed and pointed to things, and then he suddenly went straight to talking at nine months and hasn't shut up since. He was a very late walker though - they all do things at slightly different rates.

Have you checked his hearing?

Thank you! Think just worry a lot and compare to other babies driving me mad!

His hearing was checked at birth..and he does turn to different noises ..so I dont think there is a problem with that

Children don’t always follow the rules about development. Some don’t babble at all. If I was you I’d keep an eye on his hearing and follow early SALT recommendations (google or buy a book) because it can’t hurt and will be good for any child.

Newborn screening doesn't catch all hearing losses. He turns to different noises but double check whether he turns to high pitched noises as well as low pitched ones. For example if someone says sasss behind him at about the same loudness level as they say mmmm does he turn for both?

Sssss not sass

My second oldest daughter didn't babble and it was the only source of concern I had because her older sister is autistic. However, she turned out to be NT.

With child development it's the whole picture not just one thing. I'd say one important sign is how do they interact with toys.

Thanks everyone...I do think his hearing is fine..he does wake up to my and turns when i call his name (not every time..ignores me when off crawling ) Perhaps I should see professional help..but really want to try to stay away from GP's etc due to the virus ..

Then he suddenly went straight to talking at nine months

Nine months...did you mean to write this? I've never heard or seen a baby that age talking

My DD didn’t babble and her DC didn’t either. There seems to be a non babbling gene in our family. DD started talking at about 18 months and was quickly very fluent with a really good vocab and DGD1 was the same. At 2.5 you could have a sensible (by 2 year old standards anyhow) conversation with her. Youngest DGC also no babbling whatsoever and started talking again around 18 months. With DD I took her for hearing tests I was so convinced she had a hearing problem as there was zero babbling ever. If you think there are any other problems such as not following sounds or from about 15 months or so not pointing at teddy when you ask him where teddy is, then check with your HV but the no babbling thing was certainly not an indicator of anything significant in my family.

My son didn't start babbling until he was around 16 months. He's nearly 19 months now and babbles non stop. No harm in calling the health visitor if you're concerned though.

Mine boy didn't babble. Got a speech and language referral at 22months and by the time the appointment came through he was talking fine. He is 2.5 now and talks much better than a lot of his peers. The health visitor won't do much until he is around 2 so I wouldn't worry. Just keep an eye on it and tell the health visitor at your one year review.

My boy is the same- almost 8 months, very physical ( pulling up all the time, crawling etc) and I was just thinking in the past few days that he doesn't babble. He sounds very similar to yours will squeal, laugh etc but no real babbling, I don't feel worried at this stage, will just keep talking and singing songs to him and see how he is in the next few months...