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Aim:  To describe changes in infant prelinguistic communication skills between 8 and 12 months, and identify factors associated with those skills.

Methods:  Design: Parent questionnaire data for a prospective population‐based cohort of infants in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Participants: 1911 infants born November 2002‐August 2003. Outcome: Infant communication (Communication and Symbolic Behaviour Scales (CSBS)) at 8 and 12 months. Potential risk factors: sex; prematurity; multiple birth; sociodemographic indicators; maternal mental health, vocabulary and education; non‐English speaking background; and family history of speech‐language difficulties. Linear regression models were fitted to total standardised CSBS scores at 8 and 12 months.

Results:  Social communication, especially the use of gesture, developed rapidly from 8 to 12 months. Female sex, twin birth, and family history …