When did your LO start talking?

ss265 · April 2014

I know I should probably post this on Toddlers: 12-24 months but there have been 2 recent posts about talking and I didn't want to flood that board with another post.

DS is 17 months old and babbles a lot but doesn't really say a lot of concrete words. He has said "Uh Oh", "Daddy" and "Mama" but not much else. He does use a lot of non verbal communication - pointing at things and seems to react verbally to things but the noises he makes aren't decipherable as words. Part of me wonders if he just has his own language and I don't understand it. He does try to imitate words we say as well.

I am just wondering if I should be worried and I am looking for feedback on when your LO started talking and ideas for things I can do to stimulate his language. He has hit all other developmental milestones on time and even early.

Thanks!

djm31012 · April 2014

Ds is only 14 mos and says abt 4 words but my best friends son is 23 mos and his talking really just picked up in last couple months . I wouldn't be concerned . Sounds like he is right on track . You can always do flash cards with him which might help. If he's trying to imitate you that's a good sign .

cecilyandgautam · April 2014

If I remember correctly, at our 18 month check up with the ped, there was a question of whether DD had at least 3-10 words. Sounds like your kid has that, so I wouldn't be worried.

I did a lot of repeating whenever my child said something - if she said "dog" I'd say "that's right! That's a dog! Dog says woof woof." I think all you can do at this point is (1) talk to your kid - a lot! (2) acknowledge whatever little words they do say and repeat it back to them so they can hear it in context and get the satisfaction of knowing you care that they're trying to communicate. If you're doing that, I'm sure the rest will come with time.

ss265 · April 2014

PrivacyWanted said:

Oh and as to the second part of your question, I think talking to him is really the best thing you can do. Pretend he's actually saying words that make sense to you and narrate a little conversation of your own. I'm having trouble explaining what I mean, but an example would be like:
baby "dada baba ouahs"
you: "Why Yes, I do think we should have meatloaf for dinner."

and then you could narrate what you're doing to make the meatloaf, pausing to give him time to respond.

Lol - love the baby talk spelled out.

I've actually been doing this since he was born and never knew that it would encourage him to talk. Good to know though and I will continue to do so.

ss265 · April 2014

cecilyandgautam said:

If I remember correctly, at our 18 month check up with the ped, there was a question of whether DD had at least 3-10 words. Sounds like your kid has that, so I wouldn't be worried.

I did a lot of repeating whenever my child said something - if she said "dog" I'd say "that's right! That's a dog! Dog says woof woof." I think all you can do at this point is (1) talk to your kid - a lot! (2) acknowledge whatever little words they do say and repeat it back to them so they can hear it in context and get the satisfaction of knowing you care that they're trying to communicate. If you're doing that, I'm sure the rest will come with time.

Thank you for the suggestions! And I hope that you get over your illness - being pregnant and sick sucks!

ss265 · April 2014

Thank you for all your responses. There was a similar thread on the Toddlers board where her LO had stopped babbling and everyone suggested Early Intervention which got me a little worried. It's good to hear that as long as DS continues to babble and communicate non-verbally that I just have to be patient with him.

jesuisfatiguee · April 2014

DS is 13 months and no words yet

DiveFrog · April 2014

There is definitely a large range of normal. I started to get concerned about DD around 18months when we hadn't seen any type of verbal explosion. But, I told myself to calm the F down, and let her go at her pace. Her receptive language was fabulous and, so I wasn't in full-on panic even at 20 months when she didn't have more then say 5-10words and refused to attempt to mimic us. Then 22 months hit and HUGE EXPLOSION. I came home from a business trip and all of a sudden she can name animals, say all her colors, and say a bunch of other helpful words including "seat", "light", "Cheese", "eggs", "eat", "more" and "milk". At this point, she is pulling out a new word almost everyday.

KayteeGee · April 2014

I wouldn't panic yet.

BUT - one (random) question - has your little guy had a bunch of ear infections?
My DS would get EI after EI - none that really spiked high fevers but he'd turn into the world's most grumpy baby and sure enough when he did, he had an EI.
We tried everything (even chiropractic) to avoid tubes, but eventually did get them and - I kid you not - he got them on a Friday and by Sunday his language was through the rough. It was stunning.
the ENT had told us the fluid was constant and was inhibiting his hearing. ENT also said this is more common in boys (??) so just thought I'd throw it out there....

ss265 · April 2014

KayteeGee said:

I wouldn't panic yet.

BUT - one (random) question - has your little guy had a bunch of ear infections?
My DS would get EI after EI - none that really spiked high fevers but he'd turn into the world's most grumpy baby and sure enough when he did, he had an EI.
We tried everything (even chiropractic) to avoid tubes, but eventually did get them and - I kid you not - he got them on a Friday and by Sunday his language was through the rough. It was stunning.
the ENT had told us the fluid was constant and was inhibiting his hearing. ENT also said this is more common in boys (??) so just thought I'd throw it out there....

DS has had three ear infections - all spread out over 8 months though so not one right after the other. Definitely a valid question but his hearing seems fine. He just finished a course of antibiotics for his most recent ear infection and over the weekend, he was definitely responding to his name.

I will bring this up his ear infections as something to consider (in regards to his possibly delayed speech) at our next pedi appointment. Thanks for the suggestion.

nolagal79 · April 2014

I'm a speech therapist and it does not sound like it's time to hit the panic button!

Everyone has already had good suggestions. Another one I'd like to add (and sorry if I missed it somewhere) is basic sign language. It's amazing how fast babies pick it up and use it along with words. It's in no way a replacement for words, just as a language and communication booster. I'm using them with my 12 week old already - of course she isn't using them back, but I just want that extra language learning while she's young.

Also when you know what he wants or is talking about repeat the word he should use - if it's drink, ball, dog, whatever. And try to get him to imitate something - doesn't have to be exact - before giving him what he wants. Now obviously so not go to the point of frustration - example - he wants to play with a ball - he babbles something and you say, ball?, and he babbles something back, and you say - yea, lets play ball!

Kids will develop different skills at different times. I especially wouldn't be worried yet because you said all of his other benchmarks were early! He body and brain probably just used up all of his resources doing that and will focus on communication next!

All of that said, how is his hearing? Has he had many ear infections? Just things to keep tabs on. Infection and/or extra fluid prevents babies from hearing what they are supposed to be imitating and can sometimes pose an issues with communication/ speech development.

Sorry for rambling, hope it makes sense!

ss265 · April 2014

nolagal79 said:

I'm a speech therapist and it does not sound like it's time to hit the panic button! Everyone has already had good suggestions. Another one I'd like to add (and sorry if I missed it somewhere) is basic sign language. It's amazing how fast babies pick it up and use it along with words. It's in no way a replacement for words, just as a language and communication booster. I'm using them with my 12 week old already - of course she isn't using them back, but I just want that extra language learning while she's young. Also when you know what he wants or is talking about repeat the word he should use - if it's drink, ball, dog, whatever. And try to get him to imitate something - doesn't have to be exact - before giving him what he wants. Now obviously so not go to the point of frustration - example - he wants to play with a ball - he babbles something and you say, ball?, and he babbles something back, and you say - yea, lets play ball! Kids will develop different skills at different times. I especially wouldn't be worried yet because you said all of his other benchmarks were early! He body and brain probably just used up all of his resources doing that and will focus on communication next! All of that said, how is his hearing? Has he had many ear infections? Just things to keep tabs on. Infection and/or extra fluid prevents babies from hearing what they are supposed to be imitating and can sometimes pose an issues with communication/ speech development. Sorry for rambling, hope it makes sense!

Thank you! This definitely made sense!

nosoup4u · April 2014

DS1 was only saying single syllables (tho had 50 or so words) at 2, so we had him evaluated and he did six months of speech therapy. Looking back, I think we could have waited to see where he was at 2.5. He only had a slight delay w expressive language, and was able to communicate w DH and I.

jf198400 · April 2014

DD was an early talker, had a ton of words and phrases by 18 months. DS only said a few words at that age. But boys and girls tend to be different, and he was physically ahead of DD with stuff like walking, climbing stairs, jumping. I forget exactly when but he basically had a word explosion before he turned 2. I think it was around Christmas (22 months) b/c his teachers noticed it after break. So I think your DS is on track and I wouldn't worry about it at this age.

Jenny952 · April 2014

DD had several words and signs around that age but not much else. Even just before her 2nd birthday, teachers told us she didnt have much language. Now she is 2 and a half and had so many words! It came a little later for het but when it happened, it happened fast and furious. I wouldnt worry about it.

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