Baby Speech Development Milestones: What to Expect in the First Year
One of the most exciting parts of your baby’s first year is listening to all the new sounds they make — from those adorable newborn gurgles to the thrill of hearing their first word. But what are the typical baby speech development milestones you can look out for in the first 12 months?
Spoiler: every baby takes their own route, but knowing the general stages helps you feel reassured and gives you fun ways to support them along the way.
0–3 months: laying the foundations
At this stage, your baby is experimenting with sound in the only ways they know how — crying, cooing, and gurgling. It may not feel like much, but these are the very first steps in communication.
How to help:
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Make eye contact and smile back when they coo.
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Talk through your daily routine out loud so they hear the rhythm of language.
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Use lots of facial expression so they start to connect sounds with meaning.
4–6 months: babbles and squeals
This is when babies discover their voice and may start stringing sounds together like “ba-ba” or “da-da.”
How to help:
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Copy their babbles back to show them how conversations flow.
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Sing repetitive songs with clear sounds.
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Introduce simple board books — repetition helps lock in sounds.
7–9 months: understanding begins
Now, babies start to understand words like “bye-bye” or “milk,” even if they can’t say them. This is a big step in baby speech development milestones.
How to help:
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Point to objects and name them clearly.
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Use action songs that pair movement with words.
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Play games like peekaboo to build turn-taking.
10–12 months: the first word
For many babies, around their first birthday is when the first clear word pops out — though some babies will take a little longer. Both are perfectly normal.
How to help:
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Celebrate every attempt, even if it’s not crystal clear.
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Keep reading their favourite books — repetition is key.
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Offer choices: “Do you want the ball or the teddy?”
What if you’re worried?
It’s easy to compare your baby with others, but remember: baby speech development milestones are a guide, not a deadline. As long as your little one is experimenting with sounds, babbles and gestures, they’re on the right track. If you do have concerns, your health visitor can offer reassurance and guidance.
(You can also find expert advice from the NHS on learning to talk .
How Adventure Babies can help with baby speech development milestones
At Adventure Babies, we sneak language support into everything we do. Storytelling, songs, bubbles, messy play — it’s all designed to give your baby the best start with communication. Babies love the repetition of weekly classes, and parents love seeing those lightbulb moments when little ones copy a sound or clap along.
Want to keep the fun going at home? Our Adventure Babies books are perfect for building daily storytime into your baby’s routine.
So while every child hits their baby speech development milestones in their own time, the key is to fill their world with talk, play, and connection. And trust me — those giggles and babbles are just as precious as the first word itself.
