At what age do infants generally start to babble?

Infants typically begin to babble between 4 to 6 months of age. This developmental milestone is crucial as it marks the transition from cooing, which consists of simple vowel sounds, to a more complex form of vocalization. Babbling includes the production of consonant-vowel combinations such as "ba," "da," and "ma," which are essential building blocks for later speech development. Engaging in babbling allows infants to experiment with their vocal apparatus, practice sounds they will use in language, and develop clearer communication skills. This stage also encourages turn-taking in conversations, as caregivers often respond to the babbling, creating an interactive environment that fosters language learning.