The Myth of Baby Talk: Does It Actually Help Language Development?
From “goo goo” to “ba ba,” baby talk is often treated as a normal parenting habit, but does it actually help children learn to speak, or is baby talk harming speech development?According to behavioral specialist Monika Gupta, the answer depends on how it’s used and what your goals are.
“It depends on the child,” Gupta explains. “Babble back, it’s how we build shared attention. But in everyday routines, I’d use real words.”
Depending on the developmental milestones of your child, it could be more important to develop a social interaction even if it's with baby talk. While mimicking a baby’s sounds can build connection, Gupta recommends that parents pair that interaction with clear, milestone-appropriate language to support true communication development.
Why Do Parents Use Baby Talk
Baby talk, also known as “infant-directed speech,” tends to be:
High-pitched
Sing-song
Slowed down and exaggerated
Research shows this style of communication helps babies tune into language cues and emotional tone (Golinkoff et al., 2015). But Gupta is careful to distinguish between intentional baby talk and simply not using real words. Ultimately, there is a time and place for it. If you are labeling items and developing routines it is important to use the real terminology. For example, if you're in a routine, say, 'I’m opening the fridge,' not ‘fridgey-widgey.’
What Actually Supports Language Development
Gupta emphasizes consistency, modeling, and engagement. Here are three strategies she encourages:
Narrate the Day
Use real words in context:
“We’re washing your hands. Water is cold.”Babble Back with Intention
Echo baby’s sounds, then build on them:
“Ba ba? Oh, bottle! Do you want your bottle?”Make Eye Contact and Pause
“Serve and return” interactions help babies connect sounds to meaning.
Does Baby Talk Hinder Speech?
Baby talk isn’t harmful, but it shouldn’t replace clear, intentional language. The key is balancing connection with communication. Babble back, but also speak the real world into their own.
For more on Monika Gupta, you can listen to our conversation on MissPoppins- The Art of Parenting Podcast.
References
Golinkoff, R. M., Can, D. D., Soderstrom, M., & Hirsh-Pasek, K. (2015). Talking to children matters: Early language experience strengthens processing and builds vocabulary. Psychological Science, 26(9), 1483–1492. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797615594361