My 6 1/2 month old baby is not saying consonant sounds. Should I be concerned?

Question

My baby seems developmentally fine...has met all milestones so far, but is not babbling like the baby books say she should be. Obviously I will talk to my pedi about this next week, but I am a bit concerned. She raises her voice up and down by kinda baby yelling, laughs, smiles, etc., but really isn't putting anything together like "baaa" "daaa"... and especially Mama and Dada. I know she is too young to really know the meaning of Mama and Dada, but I have read she should at least be saying them involuntarily. She "seems" to hear okay, actually can hear a pin drop and wakes up, passed her newborn hearing tests, but what could be causing this? Signed, Worried Mommy!

Thanks to everyone that realized that I am a concerned Mom, not a Mom that expects too much from my daughter. I am appalled at one of the answers "scolding" me, but I realize the ignorance of some people on here. :) Seriously though, thank you SO much to you caring Moms that answered my question and put my mind at ease. Being a first time Mom, we only have the baby books to go by and our pediatrician (of which I DID note in my question that I was planning on asking her as well). I just wanted an answer from some "been there done that" Moms. Thanks again from the bottom of my heart!

Answer 1

I have a 6 1/2 month old too and he just loves ahh and ohhs and eees- no consonants yet. It's normal. I think the general rule is they should be doing it by 12 months or there could be a problem so you still have a while to go.

Here's a clipping from the link below:

Among the early signs and symptoms that parents and Pediatricians look for to alert them that a child needs further evaluation for autism include:

* not smiling by six months of age
* not babbling, pointing or using other gestures by 12 months
* not using single words by age 16 months
* not using two word phrases by 24 months
* having a regression in development, with any loss of language or social skills

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/weeklyquestion/a/04_signs_autism.htm

Answer 2

Your concerns are really unfounded. You need to put down the books and just enjoy parenting your infant through the first stages of life.

If you start this speaking issue now, you're going to be a very very sorry mom, and have a very frustraited child.

I dont know why the books say 6 months, in all my years raising my brothers, sitting, and being a nanny i have very rarely seen a child under 8 months that could put together mama or dada, regardless of its meaning to them.

Child DO NOT grow, learn and develop at a set rate. Much to the chagrin of many a doctor. You cannot stuff a child into a predetermined standard set by a few averaged cases. Doing so somehow suggests that your child is mediocure and cookie-cutter.

Those books are meant to be nothing more than a rough guide to the things you can expect to look for and encourge growth in during the different stages of life. Its not a good sign that you're already taking them so seriously that you're freaking out over a supposed missed milestone.

I know it seems like a huge issue, but its not. And your doctor is just waiting for a reason to charge your insurance company (or you) for testing and medication. And believe me, if you're in a panic he'll give you whatever it takes to calm you down.

I've been doing this since I was a kid, over 15 years now.

Just encourage your daughter, give her all the opportunity she needs to learn and grow, and dont panic when she takes her time to figure it out on her own. She doestn have to fit inside Dr. Spocks ideal.

You'll make yourself sick worrying about things like this.

Answer 3

this must be your first child huhh. you can not got by the books if every child developed by the book then you could go by the book, but they don't so you can't. children grow and learn at different levels so you can't always go by the books, they should only be for reference. all you can do is read to her (helps creativity, and listening skills) and just talk "normal" to her. don't say dada or moma say daddy and mommy. speak just like you would another adult person (sounds mean i know) this will teach her to speak the words like they are supposed to be spoken and it helps with the learning when she gets in school. so throw the book out and start letting her play and be a 6 1/2 month old baby. if you are really concerned have her ears checked again she may need tubes or nothing at all. just remember a lot of baby's don't roll over till they are 3 months or 4 months some baby's don't crawl till they are 1yr old doesn't mean that they are behind in anything just means they learned at a different rate. good luck with your baby daughter

Answer 4

No, babies develope at different levels. My daughter did utter a sound until almost 9 months, now we can't get her to stop for 2 seconds. Remember the "general rule" is only a guide, not a rule which all is to measuresed against. Relax, and just love the little darling until you think you can't anymore (but then you will). If you are still very worried, have you asked your doctor? I am sure he/she would say the same, but more peace of mind.

Answer 5

babbling usually begins with experimenting with vowel sounds. Reapeating vowell sounds over and over. you can talk to your baby about events and people in your family although they will not understand what you are saying your tone of voice rather smooth or rushed communicates feelings and activities. allow you baby to be the leader and mimic vocalisation. perhaps your baby will realize you are helping and want to commincate more. The sounds your baby is making now is the perfect thing to do at this age.don't worry he will and he will never stop once he starts. From a mother of 3

Answer 6

i'm so sorry to tell you this yet you're incorrect and your daughter is right. regularly occurring babies thrive on breast milk on my own in the process the 1st twelve months making solids till then purely practice. babies could be presented to solids while they bodily are waiting to self feed, which happens between 6-8 months. Solids do no longer initiate changing milk feeds till closer to a million twelve months. All a common 6 month previous desires is 4 sturdy nursings an afternoon to get all of his nutritional desires met. on an identical time as i'd be troubled that he would desire to get thirsty between feeds there is no longer something incredibly to rigidity approximately. you haven't any longer have been given any reason to be troubled. have confidence your daughter to grant him solids while he's waiting. say sorry to her, tell her which you have been incorrect, and allow her be. You raised her, now permit her boost her toddler.

Answer 7

Your baby is too little to put anything together right now. She is only 6 and half months old. Don't expect too much from these little things! My baby is 6 months old and she is doing the exact same thing!

Answer 8

I think she's fine...you could get a hearing test if your really concerned. My son did the same thing...but communicated great without words...by pointing or taking my hand and showing me what he needed. then one day just started speaking sentences whenever he was ready. there was no problem there. but it's always good to ask and be reassured.
goodluck

Answer 9

No worries. Every baby learns to speak in their own time. You'll be surprised and amazed very soon at your little darling's vocabulary. And, trust me, she'll be 14 one day you'll long for the time when she couldn't sass you. Sounds like you are a very attentive mother. She'll do fine.

Answer 10

REMEMBER EVERY BABY IS DIFFERENT AND THERE IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT SHE IS FINE AND AS LONG AS YOU CAN HEAR SCREAM SHE IS OK BUT YOU CAN WORK WITH HER ON THAT LOOK AT HER AND SAY THE WORDS AND IF U WORK WITH HER SHE WILL LEARN NEW WORDS IN NO TIME HAVE HER IN THE HIGHT CHAIR AND MAKE A GAME OF IT OR SOMETHING THAT WILL MAKE HER SMILE I HAVE A DAUGHTER AND SHE WILL BE 1 IN OCTOBER AND SHE SAYS A LOT OF WORDS FOR A BABY SO AS LONG AS YOU WORK WITH HER AND TALK TO HER SHE WILL BE FINE!!! ANOTHER WAY IS TO READ TO HER AND SAY THE LIL WORDS OVER AND OVER AGAIN THATS HOW MY DAUGHTER LEARNED SOME OF HER WORDS !!!