talking/# words

chemgirlstl

DS's 18 month old appointment is today and I'm sure the doctor will ask about his talking and number of words he uses (he did at our 14 month appointment).  DS really only says dad and night-night.  He's used a few other words like down, and out once or twice but never consistently.  Any other kiddos going slow at using words?  He understands a lot of what we say because he responds to it and he jabbers a lot but just nothing we understand yet!

Happy Friday!

wesleycrusher

My DD is the same, like your LO she also babbles and understands but doesn't say much. In the last 2 weeks she just started to use Daddy consistently.  She has about 6 words- Daddy, bye, no, stop, sometimes hello (but only into a phone) and a "ba" sound for belly button. 

We just had her 18 month appointment Wed, my doctor said she's average for speech and he's not concerned.  He said she's above average in coordination (running, climbing, jumping) so that's probably where her focus has been.  Which is exactly how I see her (she's very physical) so it felt good to know we agree on that.

wesleycrusher

Also- I do see DD making progress, I would be more concerned if I didn't see that.  

BabyCarryingVessel

We're in the same boat. Like you, they say words out of the blue, but then they never say them consistently. Like yesterday Julie picked up something dirty and I said "yucky" and then she said "yucky" plain as day, but I can't get her to say it again. I know they *can* say things so I don't worry one bit, and neither should you!

Wally3

Yes ds is not speaking many English words yet. Mostly gibber gabbet. Pedi said no concerns yet.

AMT1107

DS only says a handful of words, hi, momma, dadda, out and hot. He does occasionally give us another word but he has no interest in talking.  Our pedi didn't seem to concerned since he is talking a few words and definitly understand what we are saying

PixelPosy

DD isn't very verbal. She knows words and will parrot when she feels like it, but she mainly communicates through pointing and saying me me me me me me me me me me. You can give her simple instructions and she understands and follows through, so I know she knows words. Pedi said they'll all tumble out eventually.

pb_bride

We haven't have our 18m appt yet (DS is 17.5m right now). He had zero words at 15m.  Now he has 5 words (up, down, uh-oh, duck, cat - in Chinese), and 4-5 animal sounds.  I've been teaching him sign language for the past few months and he learns them SO FAST!  He knows about 3 dozen signs and signs them correctly.  We are bilingual FWIW.

My pedi wasn't concerned at all at 15m when I said he had no words.  He said he wouldn't worry until DS turns 2.  I'll bring it up again at 18m appt and see.  DS is definitely learning to say words but just very slowly.  He does babble and the past day or two is showing interests in making more sounds.  I am on the fence whether to call EI at 18m.

CnAnA

I could be completely wrong but dont bilingual kids tend to talk later but understand both languages?

wesleycrusher

CnAnA said:

I could be completely wrong but dont bilingual kids tend to talk later but understand both languages?

I have heard this too.

CLLDLL

DS2 is a jabber mouth, and surprisingly we understand a lot of it. (Maybe 25-30 words).

DS1 on the other hand only said a few words consistently at this age. We knew he understood us, and eventually he did come out of his shell. At 8 there are time I can't get him to stop talking. Also, if the pedi does say he wants to have YS tested, there's no shame/nothing wrong with that. If he really does need help, getting help early is best. I know someone who's son had therapy from 2 to like age 5. Now his speech is perfectly fine.

pb_bride

CnAnA said:

I could be completely wrong but dont bilingual kids tend to talk later but understand both languages?

I get lots of anecdotal stories about bilingual children talking later, but according to official websites on bilingualism, they all say that it is not the case (ie, bilingual kids talk within the normal expected time frame). I know DS understands both languages he's spoken to.

CnAnA

Silly @BrooketheCat. Don't you know rumor and old wives tales are far more accurate than actual studies??? LOL. Thanks for setting me straight!

chemgirlstl

Thanks for all the replies ladies!  Our appointment went well - no concerns - and this time the pedi didn't even ask how many words he knows.  He was more focused on that early autism questionnaire they give you.  I think @Wanderingstars23 said it best with "I think sometimes I feel like DD is behind because some of the kids on this board are freaking prodigies."  I read about others having more words and see others in his class at daycare with more words and worry at times!   

chemgirlstl

Oh heck yes it's hard @BandEddie!  My kid won't even say bye bye! Sometimes I'll get a wave. He's mastered dad though - yet mom is not even muttered! He babbles and tries to "read" books but man would I die for a word or two to come out soon!  Although ask me in a few months and maybe I'll want him to go back to being non-verbal. lol

StefanieM522

@jfrancois he will get there soon. Wesley still babbled a lot and I understand some of it.

Also if @cnana came pass on some of her potty training dust I will totally take that!
:P

CnAnA

@BandEddie I rarely get that anymore. Jerk.

@StefanieM522‌ sending all the dust! She still has no issue sitting in a wet diaper. But hell hath no fury like my kid when she accidentally poops her diaper.