#asktheexperts she is 2 months old but not speaking

Question

Accepted Answer

It's normal for a two-month-old baby not to speak, as speech development typically occurs much later. At this age, babies communicate through crying, cooing, and other vocalizations. Here's a general timeline for language development in infants:

### Language Development Milestones:
- **0-3 Months**: 
  - Babies primarily communicate through crying to express needs (hunger, discomfort, etc.).
  - They begin to coo and make gurgling sounds.

- **4-6 Months**: 
  - Increased cooing and babbling.
  - Responds to sounds and may start to mimic tones.

- **6-9 Months**: 
  - Babbling becomes more complex, often combining consonants and vowels (e.g., "bababa").
  - Responds to own name and recognizes common words like "no" or "bye-bye."

- **9-12 Months**: 
  - May start saying simple words like "mama" or "dada."
  - Understands basic commands and gestures.

### Encouraging Language Development:
- **Talk to Your Baby**: Engage in conversations with your baby, even if they can't respond with words yet. Describe what you're doing, name objects, and express emotions.
- **Read to Your Baby**: Reading books helps in developing listening skills and introduces them to new sounds and words.
- **Respond to Vocalizations**: When your baby coos or babbles, respond to them. This encourages more vocalization.
- **Use Gestures and Facial Expressions**: Babies learn a lot from non-verbal cues. Use gestures and facial expressions to communicate.

### When to Seek Help:
If you have concerns about your baby's language development, it's always best to discuss them with your pediatrician. They can provide guidance and refer you to a specialist if necessary.

### Resources:
- **American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)**: [Speech and Language Development](https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/)
- **Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)**: [Important Milestones: Your Baby By Two Months](https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-2mo.html)

Your baby’s lack of speech at two months is completely normal. Focus on engaging and interacting with your baby to encourage their language development over time.