Saying words.... Sometimes and only when he wants to

chicsahm · April 2013

So I was a little concerned.....and only because when we went to DS's 12 mo apt Dr. said if he isn't talking by next apt she will want me to call infant toddler.... she said she likes "her kids" to be on mark. DS really hasn't babbled Mama, Dada, baba....etc. He babbles and "talks" all other sounds. He babbles a "B" sound (just not in baba) a "K" and "S" sounds but not all the time. 2 weeks ago we were visiting family and he was in his pack and play while we were getting ready.... he started fussing and using a "M" sound and I said.... "Mommy is not going to get you until you say Mama!" A few seconds later he said "MAMA" loud and VERY clear... DH was there as well and heard it! We cheered, clapped, I picked him up.... and he has not said it again! ACK! A week after that I could have sworn he said the word "kisses" (he LOVES to give his stuffed lion kisses and we use the word a lot) and "doggie" (we have 2 dogs). The day he said those words he said it twice and kind of in a row as if repeating what he had said. But I second guessed myself because we couldn't get him to say them again. Then yesterday I went to get him from his nap (he had left his Lion downstairs and so I tossed it in his crib with him as I opened his shades) he got so happy, went to give lion kisses and then said "kisses" (just as it sounded the last time) twice in a row! I said "yeah! Yes,kisses, kisses", and he got all happy and smiles as if to say...yes that is what I just said!

Is this normal to start talking like that? I know he likes to "perfect" things before he really does it.... he rolled late, crawled late, and is not walking yet (but cruises along stuff holding on.

Would you say I can go into the Dr. office in a week saying he said Mama, kisses and doggie? Or give her the whole story? I know he is making good progress.

jenna3016 · April 2013

I'd just tell the Dr that he's said the words a couple of times, and that they were very clear.

My son is also a late walker and talker. He sees a speech therapist 2x a month. I think he could talk more, but he is stubbor

PrimRoseMama · April 2013

DD has words of her own making, "mama", "dada", "nay nay". She loves the K, D and S sounds. At 12 months she had all of this and slowly her repertoire has gotten bigger. There is a word explosion (or so I've heard) around 19 to 20 months. So I don't kn

chicsahm · April 2013

Thanks! and Prim.... yes I agree with you, it won't hurt to get evaluated at all. Better to get started early "if" he is a little behind then to start when he is REALLY behind! I think a Mother's initial reaction is "there is NOTHING wrong with my child,

Kitten80 · April 2013

I am a SLP & it sounds as if he is with in normal range based on what you shared here. If you have any ?s or want ideas for ways to encourage langauge, feel free to PM me. I would tell the pedi that he has emerging skills and as said _,_,

ababymaybe · April 2013

12 months is VERY young. As long as they are babbling, the range of normal is huge. I actually think your doctor is being totally alarmist. My 18 month old has about 5 words and even now we are doing "wait and see" for two more months.