Not saying words?

MommaHen1984 · February 2014

So I read the below post how some kids are saying like 10 words at 18 mos....DS is a little over 15 mos and BARELY says actual words. He babbles 24/7. I can ask him a question and he responds but just babbbling. He is never ever quiet but doesn't say actual words. He's said dada and mama a few times but that's about it. If I say ball repeatedly to get him to say it, he just goes and gets his ball and gives it to me and babbles. Or if I say cat repeatedly, he points to the cat instead of saying it. The pediatrician wasn't worried yet but I am FREAKING OUT! Are there any special exercises or activities I should be doing?

hmontty · February 2014

My DS is 13.5 months and is also not saying words. He will say "ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma" if, for example, he falls and is crying for me, but doesn't say "mama" in normal contexts. He has said "hi" while waving a few times but is not consistent. Otherwise, he just babbles.

I really wouldn't worry though. As a second-time mama, I am much more low key about these things -- my daughter didn't walk (or even stand) until she was almost 21 months old, and now she is a totally normal 34-month-old who plays soccer and dances and swims with the best of them. But you can imagine the nightmares I had worrying about her.

Kids sometimes have little quirks, but 99% of the time, they work through them. IF your child has no words, or just one or two, at 18 months, then I would think about taking him for a little encouragement in the form of speech therapy. But he clearly grasps the concept of language and is putting two and two together, and from this mom's perspective, that is really the important thing -- his brain is "getting it."

I'm a little "concerned" (and I really mean just a little) about my son, too, but not really. He is normal in every other way, learned his name at 9 months, understands basic commands, etc., and seems bright and quick to learn. I know he'll be just fine. Sounds like your son is the same way.

Just try to continually use words as you hand him things, do things he's watching you do, etc. "Here is your milk." "Mommy is cutting you an apple." He will catch on.

My DH and I are enjoying watching our DS's "normal" gross motor progession (commando, to crawl, to stand, to cruise, to first steps with lots of falling) immensely because our DD never did it. She literally just stood up one day and walked across the room like she'd been walking for months, and took off from there.

I'm waiting for the same kind of thing to happen with my DS's speech.

twinkletoes3126 · February 2014

I wouldn't worry if I were you, especially since your pediatrician isn't worried. There is a lot of time and development between 15 and 18 months.

emberlee3 · February 2014

I hope my reply on the other post is not contributing to your freak out. DS had maybe 2 or 3 words at 15 months. He had a language explosion at 17 months and ended up with 50-100 words by 18 months.

dufferoo · February 2014

My son is 17 months and sounds exactly like yours. I'm not worried. He just doesn't seem off. He's always been super-physical, but just now gettng more interested in books and language. Trust your gut and don't worry too much about what other babies are up to.

LSU628 · February 2014

I expressed some concern at our 1 yr visit b/c DS has no words and DD had a few by her 1st birthday. The pedi told me that boys are more "doers" while girls are more "talkers". I've found that to be true with my kids. DS was/is way more physically advanced than DD was. He walked at 10 mo she didn't till about 13. DS is way more active and just busy. He will get there as will yours. The biggest thing I've found with parenting is just not comparing your kids to others. They all do things on their own timelines.

MooOink · February 2014

Like pp have said, alot of toddlers have huge growth between 15 and 18 months. DS had 10 at 15 months and now at 18 months has over 100 words. Completely not "bragging," it just is what it is. My point being, you'll probably be surprised by how quickly they pick up words, even ones you didn't know they knew. Be patient and see how you're feeling about his growth at 18 months. I'm sure your doc will help provide you resources based on the situation.

ashiscute · February 2014

That your LO is babbling a lot is a great sign! My DD had no words at 15 mos. Her pedi was not concerned but I was and pushed for an EI referral. My DD almost didn't qualify because her receptive language was fine but she did end up qualifying partly because she hardly babbled and her babbling was still very baby sounding (mama, dada, baba, etc). If your LO is babbling a lot and making a good range of sounds then he probably wouldn't even qualify at this point.

Does he sign at all? That was hugely helpful for us before my DD began using words. Does he imitate you at all? Work on imitating starting with silly faces and silly sounds and then work up to words. We did this in front of a mirror and DD loved it.

You are doing a great job so try not to freak out. It is impossible not to worry but know he will get there. He may not get there when others do but it will happen. Even with speech therapy my DD didn't have a language explosion until after 2.5. Good luck!

pb_bride · February 2014

We just got back from my son's 15 month pedi appt this morning. DS has zero words. He babbles some but other times he just points and say "eh" or "uh". I expressed some concern but the pedi wasn't. He even said he won't remotely worry until DS is 2. We'll see how DS does between now and 18 months.

fanofanne · February 2014

Nicb13 said:

LaurenAnthony2009 said:

I wouldn't worry if I were you, especially since your pediatrician isn't worried. There is a lot of time and development between 15 and 18 months.

This. OP you might not believe it now but it's true. Try to calm down and be patient. Your LO shouldn't have the same amount of words that an 18 month old has.

this, exactly. our kiddos were late bloomers in the talking department...and i started to freak out too. i kept hearing and reading about an "explosion" and waiting for it to happen. and like pps said, you will be surprised when your lo suddenly just starts to pick up on things.

mb314 · February 2014

DS is almost 17 months, and I'm just getting discernible words out of him. "socks!" is about the clearest. Everything else I'm not sure if it's a word yet. Give it time, and let your LO develop at his/her own pace.

DiveFrog · February 2014

mb314 said:

DS is almost 17 months, and I'm just getting discernible words out of him. "socks!" is about the clearest. Everything else I'm not sure if it's a word yet. Give it time, and let your LO develop at his/her own pace.

"Socks" was one of DD's first words too

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