How to Stop Baby Talk

If your child has suddenly slipped into baby talk—“me want snack,” “carry meee”—you’re not alone. Baby talk is incredibly common, and in most cases, it’s a short-lived, harmless phase. But when it goes on…and on…it can test even the most patient parent. The good news: once you understand why kids do it, you can help them move past it without power struggles or frustration.

Listen to the episode: Ep. 51: Baby Talk & Sibling Rivalry - Parents’ Questions about Managing Annoying Behavior

Why Kids Use Baby Talk

For younger children, baby talk is often about comfort. They’re in that in-between stage—old enough to dress themselves and help out at home, but still craving the cozy security of being cared for like a baby. Talking “small” helps them feel safe again.

Kids also experiment with behavior to learn the rules of the world. A three-year-old might try baby talk just to see what happens. An older child, say 6, 7, or 8, might slip into it for a different reason: attention. They don’t care if it annoys you—if it gets a reaction, it works.

Sometimes baby talk is a communication shortcut. A child who feels unsure, anxious, or overwhelmed might use a younger voice to signal, “I can’t handle this.” Picture a 6-year-old staring at a buffet table saying, “me want food.” They aren’t being lazy—they’re nervous.

And yes, life stressors (a new sibling, a move, a change in routine) can absolutely trigger regression. The only caveat: if baby talk shows up alongside speech delays or other developmental concerns, check in with your pediatrician.

What Parents Can Do

Don’t reward the behavior. Attention—even negative attention—reinforces baby talk. Instead, stay calm and respond with your normal voice. If you can, ignore it altogether.

Try pretending you can’t understand: “Hmm, I don’t speak baby talk. Use your big kid voice so I can help you.”
If that doesn’t work, escalate with humor. If your child says, “me wanna pway,” answer with something silly like, “Oh! You want to eat dirt for dinner?” The absurdity usually breaks the pattern.

Reward their big-kid voice. When they speak normally—even for a moment—give warm, immediate attention. “I love how clearly you asked for that!” A hug goes a long way.

If the habit persists, make sure both parents are consistent. It usually takes 2–3 weeks of steady responses for the behavior to fade.

And when baby talk pops up in a tricky situation, teach the skill that’s missing. For example, if your 7 year old starts with baby talk when she's standing at the family reunion buffet, say, “It looks like you’re unsure what to choose. What could you say to ask for help?” You’re helping them practice a more effective way to communicate.

The Bottom Line

Your child is telling you they need connection, reassurance, or help. Baby talk isn’t manipulation—it’s communication. When you respond with calm consistency and lots of positive attention, the baby talk fades—and your child grows more confident in the process.

For more tips, listen to the full podcast episode: 

Ep. 51: Baby Talk & Sibling Rivalry - Parents’ Questions about Managing Annoying Behavior