Advice History

Toddlers begin talking before they actually say words.   There are using rhythms and cadences that mimic what they hear.  It sounds like nonsense, but they are really trying to reach out and be heard.   You can engage them, and give them the big payoff of being "understood", by responding to their gibberish with a pleasant, real-world response, as if you got what they are saying   "Yababybbaakubub"   "Yes, I agree. The apple sauce is delicious."   "Purnutbbaab"   "Oh, you are right! That fire engine is very red."   It can be a lot of fun, and it goes by in an instant ... so make sure to get your video or voice recorder out to capture some of this great stuff.  Your kids will love looking at it later, and marvel that there was ever a time before they could talk. 

I think the most important thing is to never underestimate what your baby understands.  They can't understand what you're saying until suddenly, they DO.  I never spoke to my babies in baby talk.  It just didn't come naturally to me, but both of my children picked up language extremely early.