When your baby sticks out their tongue and makes a funny, squeaky sound, they’re blowing raspberries. Most babies love doing this, and you might catch them practicing just for fun. While it might seem like a silly activity, blowing raspberries plays an important role in a baby’s language development.
Babies usually start blowing raspberries between four and six months old, a time when they also begin gurgling and cooing. Some babies might start earlier or later, and that’s perfectly fine as long as they’re hitting other developmental milestones. Blowing raspberries helps babies explore the sounds they can make with their mouth and tongue, similar to other playful activities that aid in skill development.
Another reason babies blow raspberries is to get attention. At four to six months, they often respond to sounds by making their own noises to capture their parents’ attention. They might repeat this to entertain themselves and enjoy the reactions they get from others.
Blowing raspberries is a normal part of development, and there are ways to encourage it. You can mimic your baby’s sounds, including raspberries, to stimulate language development. Respond with a unique sound to encourage communication, talk to your baby while they blow raspberries, and sing to them with a special song or nursery rhyme. Encourage them to make new sounds, which helps them experiment with mouth movements and strengthen their muscles.
This activity is also a great bonding opportunity. Maintain eye contact to keep your baby engaged. Blowing raspberries can help train facial muscles, control voice pitch, and understand cause and effect. It also strengthens the bond between parents and babies and can soothe sore gums during teething.
