New to this topic? Start with our companion article: Babbling: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Encourage It | Brisbane Speech Pathologist
Most parents know to listen for their baby's first word. But what about the sounds that come before words? Babbling is one of the earliest and most important signs that a baby's communication is developing well — and when it's absent or limited, it can be an early signal that something needs attention.
We're passionate about early identification. As a mum of two boys, I know how it feels to wonder whether something is "normal" or worth checking — and we always encourage parents to trust that instinct. The earlier we can spot a concern, the sooner we can support your child. So let's talk about what to watch for with babbling, and when it might be time to chat with a speech pathologist.
Things That Might Be Worth Discussing with a Speech Pathologist
Every baby develops at their own pace, and there's a range of what's typical. But there are a few signs that suggest babbling may not be progressing as expected.
No Canonical Babbling by 10 Months
Canonical babbling — those rhythmic strings of consonant-vowel combinations like "bababa" or "mamama" — is a major milestone. Research by Oller and colleagues has shown that most babies begin canonical babbling between 6 and 10 months (Oller et al., 1999). If your baby isn't producing these kinds of sounds by around 10 months, it's worth investigating.Limited Consonant Variety
By the time babies are babbling well (around 8–12 months), you'd expect to hear a few different consonant sounds — not just one. If your baby only ever says "mamama" and never varies to "baba" or "dada" or "gaga," the range of sounds may be limited.A Very Quiet Baby
Some babies are naturally quieter or more observant, and that's okay. But a baby who rarely vocalises at all — who doesn't coo, babble, or experiment with sounds — may be showing us that something is going on. Quiet doesn't always mean content; it can sometimes mean a baby isn't getting the feedback or stimulation their vocal system needs, or that there's an underlying factor worth exploring.Loss of Babbling
If your baby was babbling and then seems to stop, or their vocalisations reduce significantly, this is worth noting and discussing with your GP or a speech pathologist.What Might Reduced Babbling Indicate?
Reduced or absent babbling can be linked to a number of things. It doesn't automatically mean something is wrong, but it does mean we should take a closer look. Some of the possibilities include:
Hearing Loss
This is one of the first things we think about. Babies need to hear speech sounds clearly in order to reproduce them. Even a mild or fluctuating hearing loss (such as from persistent middle ear fluid) can affect babbling. Australia's Newborn Hearing Screening Program picks up many cases of hearing loss at birth, but some types of hearing loss develop later or aren't detected by the newborn screen (Australian Government Department of Health, 2021). If babbling is delayed, a hearing check is an essential first step.Oral Motor Difficulties
Some babies have difficulty coordinating the movements of their lips, tongue, and jaw needed for babbling. This can be related to low muscle tone, structural differences, or motor planning challenges. A speech pathologist can assess how your baby is using their mouth for both feeding and sound-making.Autism
Differences in babbling patterns can sometimes be an early indicator of autism. Research has found that some autistic babies show delays in the onset of canonical babbling, reduced variety in babbling sounds, or differences in the social use of vocalisations (Patten et al., 2014). This doesn't mean that a quiet baby is autistic — but it's one of the things a thorough assessment may consider.General Developmental Delay
Babbling develops alongside other skills. If a baby is also showing delays in other areas — motor development, social engagement, play — then reduced babbling may be part of a broader developmental picture.Why Early Referral Matters
You might hear people say, "Don't worry, they'll catch up" or "Boys are just slower talkers." While the intention behind these comments is kind, the evidence on late talkers tells us a different story.
Speech Pathology Australia's position on early intervention is clear: the earlier a communication concern is identified and supported, the better the outcomes for the child (Speech Pathology Australia, n.d.). The first three years of life are a period of extraordinary brain development, and early support can make a real difference to a child's communication trajectory.
The "wait and see" approach is particularly risky for babbling concerns because babbling is one of the earliest indicators we have. If we wait until a child isn't talking at two to start asking questions, we may have missed a window where early support could have helped. I've met plenty of families who were told to "just wait and see" — sometimes that's the right call, and sometimes it isn't, which is why a proper look is worth it.
The Raising Children Network emphasises that parents who have concerns about their baby's communication should seek professional advice sooner rather than later, even if others reassure them it's nothing to worry about (Raising Children Network, 2024).
Screening Tools Can Help
There are validated developmental screening tools, such as the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS), that can help identify children who may benefit from further assessment (Glascoe, 2000). Your child health nurse, GP, or speech pathologist can use these tools as part of a broader picture of your child's development.What Does a Speech Pathology Assessment Look Like for Babies?
If you're thinking, "But my baby can't exactly sit in a chair and answer questions," you're absolutely right — and that's okay! Assessing babies and very young children looks quite different from assessing older kids.
Here's what you can expect when you bring your baby to see us:
A Relaxed, Play-Based Session
We follow your baby's lead. We play, we interact, and we observe. There's no pressure on your baby to perform — we're watching how they communicate naturally.Observation of Vocalisations
We listen carefully to the types of sounds your baby is making, the variety of consonants and vowels, whether they're producing canonical babbling, and how they use their voice during interactions.Parent Interview
You know your baby best. We'll ask you about what sounds your baby makes at home, how they communicate their needs, their feeding history, and their overall development. Your observations are an essential part of the assessment.Hearing Referral if Needed
If your baby hasn't had a recent hearing check, we may suggest one. We work closely with audiologists to make sure hearing is ruled out as a factor.A Clear Plan
After the assessment, we'll talk you through what we've found and what speech pathologists may recommend. This might include strategies you can use at home, regular therapy sessions, or referrals to other professionals. Whatever the outcome, you'll leave with a clear understanding of where your baby is at and what comes next.Trust Your Instincts
Parents are often the first to notice that something isn't quite right. If your gut is telling you that your baby's babbling seems limited, or that they're quieter than other babies their age, that feeling is worth following up on.
We see babies and toddlers across Brisbane's south side and Logan, and we'd always rather see a child early — even if the outcome is reassurance — than wait and miss an opportunity to help. If you have concerns about your baby's early communication, we're here to listen.
Alexandra Bouwmeester is a Hanen-certified Senior Speech Pathologist (MSPA, CPSP) with over 14 years' experience and a mum of two young boys. She supports families across Brisbane to identify concerns early and act with confidence.
References
- Australian Government Department of Health. (2021). Newborn Hearing Screening.
- Oller, D. K., Eilers, R. E., Neal, A. R., & Schwartz, H. K. (1999). Precursors to speech in infancy: The prediction of speech and language disorders. Journal of Communication Disorders, 32(4), 223–245.
- Patten, E., Belardi, K., Baranek, G. T., Watson, L. R., Labban, J. D., & Oller, D. K. (2014). Vocal patterns in infants with autism spectrum disorder: Canonical babbling status and vocalization frequency. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(10), 2413–2428.
