How many words SHOULD they use?

CavColby1 · June 2013

at around 15 months old? Does anyone know what is considered average or acceptable?

My LO had his 15 month appointment today. When the Dr. asked me how many words he knew I said about 5... he really only uses 5 consistently (mama, dada, yea, bee, baba). She did a double take then started writing on his chart. I told her aside from that he babbles a lot. She didn't say anything, but from her expressions I wonder what she was thinking-- she looked a little perplexed. We moved on to a different topic before I could think to ask.

I guess I feel like he talks a lot because I understand what he wants-- he really doesn't say a lot though.

Thanks!

JMD1121 · June 2013

Mine had about 7 words at the 15mos point if I recall. He had a word explosion at 17mos and has about 30ish now at 18mos. I don't know what is considered average, but I felt like he was behind at 15mos, but the pedi wasn't concerned. I would guess your DS is on track.

CavColby1 · June 2013

JMD1121:
Mine had about 7 words at the 15mos point if I recall. He had a word explosion at 17mos and has about 30ish now at 18mos. I don't know what is considered average, but I felt like he was behind at 15mos, but the pedi wasn't concerned. I would guess your DS is on track.

Thanks! I hope I'm still home on summer break when he begins talking more!

Cherryblossoms07 · June 2013

When I contacted the speech therapist about an EI evaluation recently they said that LOs should have at least 5 words (in addition to mama and dada) by 18 months. I think your LO is fine.

bunniekrissy · June 2013

5 at 15 months is fine. DS could only say 5 words at 15 months and I felt he was slightly behind, but now at 18 months he says over 70! The language explosion can happen any time now

maryxc1 · June 2013

My pediatrician said he should have 4 to 6 words at his 15 month visit.

ECT2012 · June 2013

Do animal sounds count as words??

Snow1010 · June 2013

Cherryblossoms07:
When I contacted the speech therapist about an EI evaluation recently they said that LOs should have at least 5 words (in addition to mama and dada) by 18 months. I think your LO is fine.

Our pediatrician had us fill out a questionnaire for DD's 18 month appointment and that's what it asked...does she say at least 5 words in addition to mama and dada. At that time, our DD only said about 7 words. Then had a word explosion around 21 months and is now saying sentences. I wouldn't worry!

I think that animal sounds do count as words.

cattynine · June 2013

DD doesn't have even ONE single word at almost 15 months. She understands us for the most part and is very bright and curious. She babbles almost nonstop, but no distinct words. I'm not concerned- excited for real words, but not concerned.

Zimger · June 2013

Our pediatrician asked if he said 5 words. I don't think you should worry too much. Maybe you read into her actions. If you are concerned don't hesitate to call and discuss it with her.

EMOmamma · June 2013

I think at 15months they're really just looking for them to be attempting to communicate somehow, words, sounds, signs.

Like pp said - you should expect a language explosion, or 2, in the next 6 months. If I remember right with my son he had 10ish words at 15 months then at 18 months we couldn't even count anymore. In the last month, at 2.5yo, he has had another explosion where he uses plurals and grammar correctly.

I like the milestone lists on babycenter - here's the language one for 15months

https://www.babycenter.com/0_your-15-month-olds-language-and-cognitive-development-speaki_1213394.bc

lkm2006 · June 2013

At 18 months, our pedi said they expect 8 to 10. DS only had about 3.

Nel11 · June 2013

Yup, like PP said, he sounds totally fine. Our pedi said they look for 3-6 words at 15 months.

It can be helpful to look at overall communication skills, not just isolated words. Is he interested in communicating with you, does he point, make eye contact, is his babble starting to take on characteristics of normal speech (like, is his inflection starting to mimic yours?)... language is not just about saying words, but the ability to communicate and interact with the world.

kcisthebombdotcom · June 2013

I was told 3 at 15 months, 10 at 18 months.

emberlee3 · June 2013

DS had maybe 3 words and 10-15 signs at 15 months. He had a language explosion at 17 months. By 18 months, he had a few hundred words, then rapidly went to speaking in paragraphs. If your LO is able to communicate, I think it sounds like he's on track for his age.

JMD1121 · June 2013

Given the consistency of the responses you are getting, maybe the doc's facial expression was one of surprise because your LO has more words than other babies she sees.

skibunny59 · June 2013

My DD is 15 months and only says about 5 words consistently (mama, dada, bubbles, baby, ball) and she says "ruff ruff" for dog. not sure if animal sounds count as words. Anyway, she has said other words before but she doesn't use them all the time.

Tallulahsmom · June 2013

Try introducing sign language. It will increase his vocabulary. My daughter has been learning to sign since 12 months. She is 19 months and can sign over 100 words. She can spell her name in sign language. She can sign complete phrases like "I want more grapes" or "I want signing time". She learns to sign words and then learns on her own to say the words while signing. We do Signing Time with Rachel Coleman. She has a youtube channel that you can checkout. I get the videos from the library. I am going to start our next baby at 6 months.

Vol4life · June 2013

Sounds like my DD. She babbles and ton and knows what objects are when we point to them or ask her to get something. I wish DD would talk more just so I didn't have to listen to "huh" come out of her mouth all the time but I'm not stressing just yet.

sunnyday016 · June 2013

Our pedi was looking for 3 words at 15m.

Seldaar · June 2013

lkm2006:
At 18 months, our pedi said they expect 8 to 10. DS only had about 3.

Our Pedi said something similar, but I think the low number was 5 or 6. DS was around 5 or 6 at his 18mo appointment.

We asked about the animal sounds too, as DS was roaring and quacking, and the doc said it depends on which guidance you follow. So apparently that part differs. Some count animal sounds, some don't.

But even in just a month, DS had picked up several additional words. So his vocab is increasing quite a bit.

Some of it takes decoding though. As he says "ca-ca" for cracker for instance.

k-la6055 · June 2013

At 18 mo check up, my daughter was only saying about 3 words and not even "ma" or "da"...then at about 20 months she FINALLY started saying more words than we could count! Toddlers are all different and some just take longer than others to reach milestones.

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