What Milestones Should You Expect in Your Bilingual Baby’s Language Development?

Curious about your bilingual baby’s language milestones? Discover typical stages of bilingual development and how to support both languages with confidence.

---

When will my bilingual baby start talking? Will they get confused with two languages? Should I worry if they mix them up?

If you’ve asked yourself any of these questions, you’re not alone — and you’re definitely not wrong to wonder. Watching your child develop language skills is already fascinating, but when two (or more) languages are in the mix, things can look a little different.

Many parents raising bilingual children notice slight delays, language mixing, or unique patterns that don’t quite match the “typical” monolingual development charts. But here’s the good news: those differences are normal, healthy, and part of the process.

Bilingual babies develop language along the same timeline as their monolingual peers — with some interesting twists. Understanding these milestones can ease your mind, help you support your child more effectively, and allow you to celebrate their incredible progress without comparison or stress.

This blog post will walk you through:

• When to expect key bilingual milestones (crying, babbling, first words, full sentences)
• How the brain processes two languages at once
• What’s typical and what’s not
• Common “worries” that are actually signs of strength
• Strategies to support development in both languages
• What happens if you start a second language later

Whether you’re raising a child in a multilingual home, starting bilingualism from birth, or adding a new language later on, this guide will help you track progress with clarity — and more confidence.

Let’s dive into what you can expect during each stage of your bilingual baby’s language development journey.

---

Por qué el tiempo es importante en el desarrollo del lenguaje bilingüe

Timing plays a big role in how a baby picks up and processes two languages — not because there’s a “perfect” age, but because the earlier the exposure, the deeper the wiring in the brain.

Language development is tightly linked to brain plasticity, especially in the first three years of life. During this period, the brain forms and prunes connections rapidly — and multilingual exposure strengthens certain areas related to cognitive flexibility and working memory.

In fact, research from the University of Washington shows that babies as young as 7 months can differentiate between multiple languages y show stronger executive functioning if they’re raised in bilingual environments.

Starting early also removes pressure later. When two languages are heard naturally from birth, the brain treats them both as “native,” avoiding the need for translation. There’s no confusion — just dual processing.

But what if you didn’t start at birth? No problem. Children can become fluent and develop strong bilingual skills later — but it does shift how they absorb and retain language (more on that below).

In short: the earlier, the smoother. But there’s no deadline. What matters most is consistent, quality exposure — and a home environment that values both languages.

---

Early Stage: What Happens Before Talking

Language development begins well before your baby says their first word — and even before they’re born.

0–6 Months: Listening and Discrimination

In the first six months, babies are learning to distinguish between the sounds (phonemes) of different languages. Bilingual babies are especially tuned into phonetic contrast, which helps them later tell languages apart.

They also begin associating each language with a specific person or context — e.g., Mum = Spanish, Dad = English.

6–10 Months: Babbling in Both Languages

Around 6 months, babbling kicks off — “ba-ba,” “da-da,” “ma-ma.” Bilingual babies may babble in patterns that reflect both languages. For example, if one language has nasal vowels or rolled R’s, you might hear those attempts show up early.

This is the start of language mapping — their brain is learning how sounds connect to people, actions, and things.

10–14 Months: First Words

Most babies say their first word around 12 months — and bilingual babies may say their first words in either language (or both). It depends on who they’re around most and what language they hear during emotional, high-frequency interactions.

Some bilingual kids may take slightly longer to speak their first words. This is normal. They’re processing twice the input, not falling behind.

---

The Golden Window – Ages 0–3: Understanding the Bilingual Brain

This stage is golden for all language learning — and it’s when many major milestones appear.

15–24 Months: Language Explosion

Most babies start adding more words between 15–24 months. In bilingual children, this combined vocabulary may look smaller at first — but that’s misleading.

If your child knows 10 words in Spanish and 10 in English, that’s 20 words, not 10. Early assessments often miss this. Some bilingual babies mix languages in one sentence (e.g., “más milk” or “quiero ball”). This is called cambio de código — and it’s completely normal.

24–36 Months: Phrases and Early Sentences

As your toddler approaches age 2 or 3, expect them to:

• Combine 2–3 words in either or both languages
• Understand rules of turn-taking in conversation
• Begin separating languages depending on the speaker
• Start showing a preference for one language (often the dominant one)

They may even begin translating spontaneously — another great sign of bilingual brain activity.

Developmental Benefits in This Window

Research shows that bilingual children have advantages in:

• Memoria de trabajo
• Selective attention
• Social perspective-taking
• flexibilidad cognitiva

This is also when many parents panic about “delays.” But true delays are rare. Bilingual babies often speak slightly later, but once they begin, they rapidly catch up — and often surpass peers in verbal problem-solving later on.

---

Consejos y actividades cotidianas

1. Label items around the house in both languages
2. Alternate bedtime stories: one language each night
3. Use songs and nursery rhymes from both cultures
4. Encourage both parents/caregivers to “own” a language
5. Let your child see you using both languages
6. Repeat common words in both languages in the same context
7. Use routines to reinforce vocabulary (e.g., bath = target language)

---

¿Qué pasa si empiezas más tarde? De 3 a 7 años en adelante

Starting bilingualism later — say, at age 4 or 5 — may look a bit different, but it’s still incredibly effective.

Older kids learn through immersion, repetition, and emotional motivation. They’re more aware of “different” languages but also better at categorising, comparing, and retaining.

What to Expect

• Faster initial vocabulary gains (especially if they’re already verbal)
• Clear separation between the languages — fewer mixed sentences
• Emotional reactions — resistance or enthusiasm
• Increased reliance on translation at first

Later starters might experience a “silent period” — a few weeks or months where they observe but don’t speak the new language. This isn’t a delay. It’s processing time.

---

Estrategias para principiantes de mayor edad

• Enrol in playgroups, language clubs, or after-school sessions
• Watch age-appropriate shows with subtitles in the target language
• Use storytelling, games, or apps for vocabulary building
• Keep the language low-pressure and tied to fun, not correction
• Let them teach you words they’re learning — it builds ownership

The goal isn’t perfect grammar — it’s emotional connection and daily use. With support and context, even late learners can become fluent and emotionally attached to their second language.

---

Señales de progreso

Language development in bilingual babies isn’t always linear, but there are clear signs to look out for:

• Respondiendo a ambos idiomas by 12 months
• Using basic words in both languages by 18–24 months
• Combining words (even if mixed) by 24–30 months
• Separating languages by speaker or setting by age 3
• Starting to translate or rephrase between languages by age 4–5

You might also see:

• Cambio de código (“Quiero juice”) — normal and expected
• Cambios en las preferencias lingüísticas depending on context (home vs. school)
• Quiet periods in one language — often due to confidence dips, not ability

Progress also looks like compromiso, not just output. If your child lights up at a song, repeats a phrase, or mimics dialogue from cartoons — that’s success.

Don’t over-focus on grammar or compare to monolingual kids. Instead, track how your child uses both languages to interact, express, and play.

---

Consejos prácticos para padres

1. Be Patient, Not Pushy

Let your child develop both languages at their own pace. Pressure can backfire.

2. Choose a Method That Fits

OPOL (One Parent One Language), ML@H (Minority Language at Home), or Time & Place — pick what works and stick with it.

3. Make It Emotional

Tie language use to cuddles, stories, songs, and jokes — not just correction or instruction.

4. Celebrate All Progress

Mixed-language sentences? Celebrate them. Code-switching? Celebrate that too. It means your child is drawing from both toolkits.

5. Balance Exposure

Aim for both quality and quantity. Even 30 minutes a day of intentional language play makes a difference.

6. Use Media and Tech

Songs, audiobooks, videos, and child-friendly language apps can reinforce exposure and interest.

7. Don’t Translate Everything

Let your child sit with new words and figure them out through context. It’s how natural learning happens.

The more joyful the journey, the stronger the results. Your job isn’t to force fluency — it’s to create a home where both languages feel like home.

---

Final Thoughts: It’s All Part of the Process

If you’ve been worried about delays, language confusion, or your child “falling behind,” take a deep breath: your bilingual baby is doing exactly what they’re supposed to.

Language development in bilingual children doesn’t follow a rigid script. It follows patterns — and now you know what they look like.

Your child might mix languages, speak later, prefer one language for a while, or flip between both. It’s not confusion. It’s brilliance in action.

By tracking combined vocabulary, emotional attachment, and spontaneous use of both languages, you’ll see real progress — even if it looks different from your neighbour’s toddler.

And remember: the goal isn’t perfect bilingual grammar by age three. It’s to raise a child who’s comfortable in two languages, proud of their identity, and equipped to move between cultures with ease.

Language is a gift — and you’re giving your child a double one.

Keep going. Keep talking. Keep trusting the process.

And if you’ve noticed fun milestones, challenges, or wins on your bilingual journey — drop them in the comments! Let’s build a community of proud, language-loving parents.

---

Preguntas frecuentes

1. Will my bilingual baby speak later than a monolingual baby?
They might speak slightly later, but it’s normal and temporary. They’re processing more input.

2. Is it okay if my child mixes languages?
Yes! This is called code-switching and shows strong bilingual awareness.

3. How do I know if my baby is confused by two languages?
There’s no evidence that bilingual babies get confused. Mixing is part of learning, not confusion.

4. Should I correct my child when they mix languages?
Gently model the correct version, but avoid harsh correction. Keep communication joyful.

5. Can both parents speak the same language to the baby?
Yes. You can both speak either language, or each parent can “own” one language — whatever works best for your family.

6. What if one language becomes dominant?
This is common. Just boost exposure to the minority language through books, songs, or social time.

7. Is a “silent period” normal when starting a second language?
Yes, especially with late starters. It’s a sign of internal processing, not a delay.

8. Can I start bilingual exposure if my child is already 3 or older?
Absolutely. While earlier is easier, it’s never too late.

9. Should I translate everything into both languages?
Not necessary. Context-based exposure helps build natural understanding.

10. How can I track milestones across both languages?
Look at combined vocabulary and communicative intent — not just word count per language.

---

Enlaces externos

• University of Washington: Bilingual Babies Differentiate Unfamiliar Languages
• NIH: Cognitive Development in Bilingual Children

---