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Signs of communication delay in a 6-to-9-month-old
At 6–9 months, communication shows as babbling, smiling, turning to your voice and enjoying back-and-forth play like peekaboo. Gentle signs worth a check include no babbling, not responding to sounds or their name, little eye contact, or loss of a skill. A hearing check is often the first sensible step. None of this is a diagnosis — it simply means an early, calm developmental review is wise, because support at this age works beautifully.
In this answer 5 sections
At six to nine months, your baby is just beginning to babble, turn to your voice and light up at your face — and watching those little moments is loving, attentive parenting.
In short
At 6–9 months, communication shows up as babbling, smiling, turning towards sounds and your voice, and enjoying back-and-forth play like peekaboo. Gentle signs worth a clinician's eye include no babbling, not responding to sounds or their name, little eye contact or shared smiling, and not turning towards you when you speak. None of this is a diagnosis — it simply means a calm developmental check is wise now, because early support at this age works beautifully.
What to watch at 6–9 months
Most babies at this stage are noisy, social little explorers — and they develop at their own pace. These gentle flags deserve a clinician's friendly look:
- Little or no babbling — by around 6–7 months most babies string together sounds like "ba-ba" or "da-da". Very quiet, or sounds that have faded away, is worth noting.
- Not responding to sound — doesn't startle to loud noises, turn towards your voice, or quieten when you speak. (A hearing check is the first sensible step here.)
- Little eye contact or shared smiling — not looking at faces, not smiling back, or not enjoying being talked to.
- No turn-taking play — not joining in with peekaboo, cooing back, or reacting to your facial expressions.
- Loss of a skill — babbling, smiling or responsiveness that was there and then quietly stopped always deserves prompt review.
The aim is not alarm — it's that an early, gentle observation turns small questions into early opportunities. Because hearing underpins early communication, a hearing check is often the very first, reassuring step.
When to act
If your baby isn't babbling, doesn't respond to sounds or your voice, shows little eye contact, or has lost a skill they once had, arrange a developmental and hearing check now rather than waiting. Trust your parent instinct — what you notice every day is valuable information.
The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an online list. Our clinicians watch how your baby listens, sounds out and connects, and build support around warm, playful interaction. Our speech therapy team supports early communication and listening, and you can begin with a simple developmental check whenever you feel ready.
Trusted sources
CDC developmental milestones and "Learn the Signs, Act Early" resources for 6–9 months (cdc.gov); American Academy of Pediatrics guidance on early communication and hearing (healthychildren.org); ASHA guidance on infant speech, language and hearing development (asha.org).
Next step — Trust what you've noticed. Book a developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician for a calm, clear review of your baby's hearing, babbling and connection.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
CONNECT THE ANSWER TO YOUR CHILD’S DAY
Something to notice. Something to discuss.
What to notice
Seek a check if your baby isn't babbling, doesn't respond to sounds or your voice, doesn't turn towards your name or speech, shows little eye contact or shared smiling, doesn't join in peekaboo-style play, or has lost a skill once had. A hearing check is often the first sensible step.
In everyday life
Through the day, talk, sing and pause — say "ba-ba" and wait to see if your baby coos or babbles back. Note whether they turn towards your voice and enjoy peekaboo; these little back-and-forth moments tell a clinician a lot.
Bring your observations and questions to your child’s professional. Choose activities that suit your child’s comfort, abilities and agreed plan.
Bring your questions to a first visitQuestions families ask
My 7-month-old isn't babbling much yet — should I worry?
Babies develop at their own pace, and a quiet stretch isn't always a concern. But if there's little or no babbling, your baby doesn't respond to sounds or your voice, or shows little eye contact, a gentle developmental and hearing check is wise. It isn't a diagnosis — just an early, reassuring look.
Why is a hearing check important first?
Hearing underpins early communication — babies learn to babble by listening. If your baby isn't responding to sounds or your voice, a hearing check is the sensible first step and is often very reassuring.
My baby babbled, then seemed to stop. Is that significant?
Loss of a skill once present — babbling, smiling or responsiveness fading away — always deserves prompt review by a clinician. Trust what you've noticed and arrange a check soon.
What does communication look like at this age?
At 6–9 months expect babbling ("ba-ba", "da-da"), turning towards your voice and sounds, smiling back, eye contact and enjoying back-and-forth play like peekaboo.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Source referenceCDC milestones & Learn the Signs, Act Early
- Organisation website · further readingAAP guidance on early communication & hearing
- Organisation website · further readingASHA infant speech, language & hearing development
References are supplied with this answer. An organisation homepage offers further reading; it does not establish an independent review of this page.
Content attribution: SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network.
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