# Signs of communication delay in a 6-to-9-month-old

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-signs-of-communication-delay-in-a-6-to-9-month-old
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

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.

*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®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) 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](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) 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](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/enroll-autism-speech-aba-therapies-india) 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.

## Sources
- CDC milestones & Learn the Signs, Act Early: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development
- AAP guidance on early communication & hearing: https://www.healthychildren.org
- ASHA infant speech, language & hearing development: https://www.asha.org

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Ages & Stages: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/ages
- Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent
- Infant-6-9: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/age/infant-6-9
- Communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/communication
- Concern: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/concern
- Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen
- Speech Therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/speech-therapy
- Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity

## Related question paths

### Recognise signs & concerns
- Signs of communication delay in a 9-to-12-month-old: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-signs-of-communication-delay-in-a-9-to-12-month-old
- Is My 6-to-9-Month-Old Developing Normally in Communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-my-6-to-9-month-old-developing-normally-in-communication
- Signs of Communication Delay in a 3-to-6-Month-Old: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-signs-of-communication-delay-in-a-3-to-6-month-old
- What communication milestones should a 6-to-9-month-old reach?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-communication-milestones-should-a-6-to-9-month-old-reach
- Early Signs of Speech and Language Delay in a 6-to-9-Month-Old: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-speech-and-language-delay-in-a-6-to-9-month-old
- When to worry about speech at 6–9 months: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-that-my-6-to-9-month-old-might-have-non-verbal-minimally-verbal-presentation
- Is My 6-to-9-Month-Old Developing Normally in Adaptive Skills?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-my-6-to-9-month-old-developing-normally-in-adaptive
- Is My 6-to-9-Month-Old Developing Normally in Cognition?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-my-6-to-9-month-old-developing-normally-in-cognitive
- Emotional Development at 6–9 Months: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-my-6-to-9-month-old-developing-normally-in-emotional
- Is My 6-to-9-Month-Old Developing Normally in Motor Skills?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-my-6-to-9-month-old-developing-normally-in-motor
- Is My 6-to-9-Month-Old Developing Normally in Sensory?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-my-6-to-9-month-old-developing-normally-in-sensory
- Is My 6-to-9-Month-Old Developing Normally Socially?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-my-6-to-9-month-old-developing-normally-in-social

### Explore therapy & support
- How can I support communication development in my 6-to-9-month-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-communication-development-in-my-6-to-9-month-old
- Supporting adaptive development at 6–9 months: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-adaptive-development-in-my-6-to-9-month-old
- Supporting cognitive development in your 6-to-9-month-old: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-cognitive-development-in-my-6-to-9-month-old
- How can I support emotional development in my 6-to-9-month-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-emotional-development-in-my-6-to-9-month-old
- How can I support motor development in my 6-to-9-month-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-motor-development-in-my-6-to-9-month-old
- Supporting Sensory Development in Your 6-to-9-Month-Old: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-sensory-development-in-my-6-to-9-month-old
- How can I support social development in my 6-to-9-month-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-social-development-in-my-6-to-9-month-old
- How much screen time is safe for a 6-to-9-month-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-much-screen-time-is-safe-for-a-6-to-9-month-old
- Is my 6-to-9-month-old moving and walking as expected?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-my-6-to-9-month-old-moving-and-walking-as-expected-for-their-age
- Is my 6-to-9-month-old talking as expected for their age?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-my-6-to-9-month-old-talking-as-expected-for-their-age
- Should I get my 6-to-9-month-old assessed for development?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/should-i-get-my-6-to-9-month-old-assessed-for-development
- What activities support a 6-to-9-month-old's development?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-activities-support-a-6-to-9-month-old-s-development