When Do Babies Recognize Their Name?

Babies show reactions to the sound much before they respond to their names. They start to turn their heads at a sound as early as three months. Some babies also start showing responses to the names much before six months as well. This could be more of a reaction to a familiar voice than the name. Even then it is important to keep calling the name of the baby from the early years so that they understand the sound of their name.

How Do Babies Start Recognizing Their Name?

Babies achieve many milestones way before they start recognizing their names. A natural phenomenon for the baby to recognize the sound of the mother by the time they are a month old. Babies develop receptive language faster than the expressive one. The baby starts to get familiar with the sound of their names even before they realize that it is them who it is for. Giving them lots of love and affection, and constantly repeating their names helps them to develop better.

By 1 Months

The baby understands that crying is a sort of communication and recognizes the mother’s or the caretaker’s voice. Babies even react to music or loud noise and start smiling as well.

By 3 Months

The little baby shows a response to their name and understands the change of tone as well.

By 5 Months

They even giggle, babble, or squeal with excitement when someone plays with them, or they play by themselves.

By 6 Months

The baby shows a response to their name and even starts to turn its head in the direction wherever the voice comes from. They even start understanding regular words like “book”, “toy”, “bottle”, “cup”, “sleep” etc.

By 8 Months

By this time, babies start to identify with and understand Daddy and Mommy. Some babies even start to imitate few sounds.

By 9 Months

By this time Babies can understand that “no” means “no” if they are used firmly and consistently. They also use “No” but do not follow when said so.  They start waving, giving flying kisses, reaching high and showing other gestures and sounds when in a playful mood.

By 12 Months

Babies start to refer few words in their own cute language like, “mumma”, “papa”, “shoes”, “socks”, “oh-oh”, “hi”, “bye”.

[Read : When Will My Baby Speak Her First Word?]

How to Teach Babies to Respond to Their Names?

The very first thing that the parents do is to decide on the name of the baby. Once the name is final, they repeatedly call the name of the baby to get a better response. This is with the hope that the baby will soon start responding to them. This is also a natural phenomenon for the parents to eagerly wait when the baby starts recognizing their name.

A few steps that may help the baby in better recognition of their name are

• Do not call the baby by pet names because it can confuse them.
• Start calling the baby by their name in the early stages itself.
• Speak to the baby on a regular basis by taking the same name.
• It is best to call their name when they are busy with other things or not looking at you.
• Take names of various objects and people to who the baby is habituated.
• Always try and motivate them to show response when they are alone to start with.
• Once the baby starts showing a response to the name, the same process of calling the name can be done in a social gathering as well.
• For the baby to be responsive, one should increase the number of distractions in a timely manner.
• Try and say the name of the baby over the phone to see his reaction.
• It is also good to let all the family members and caretakers use the same name to address the baby.
• Having a video call and then calling the baby by name is a good way to record their reaction.
• Playing hide n seek or peek-a -boo while calling your baby by name is a great idea as well.
• When the baby responds to the name, more sentences or instructions must be used with the name of the baby for a better understanding.

When Should You Consider Seeing a Doctor?

Consider seeing a doctor for your baby in the following situations:

• Your baby does not turn in the direction of the sound.
• The baby does not laugh even after 6 months
• The baby does not respond at any loud noise
• Your little one is not responsive to sounds between 6-9 months.
• The baby will not babble between 7-9 months
• No response comes from the baby to her name even when they are 7-9 months old.
• The baby does not wave, point, or show gestures by the time they are a year old.

All these indicators may not always be a cause for concern, but the pediatrician can still conduct screening or tests to assess if there is any medical issue like a loss of hearing, delay in hearing etc or any other developmental issues.

In the anticipation of seeing the baby respond to their name, the parents put in a lot of effort and slowly and gradually with time, the baby will one day understand that the name used is their name.

[Read : When Do Babies Start Laughing?]

FAQ’s

1. Is it Normal For My Baby’s Name Recognition to be Different?

Each baby is different and so are the timelines to achieve the milestones. Few babies can start recognizing their names earlier than the others and it is totally normal to do so.

2. When Will My Baby Respond to Her Name?

Babies, in general, start responding to names by the time they are 7 months old. It is a good idea to call the baby by his name frequently when having a conversation with her, as it helps in developing a strong bond.

Read Also: Understanding Baby Talk: Communicate With Your Baby