I need some feedback---My six month old has recently stopped babbling. He used to always coo and babble back to me, but now he just smiles and says nothing, or looks away. Is this normal? He hasn't talked in about five days. He is starting to teeth, but a few people that I talk to say that their child never stopped talking. I am just a little concerned.
M.
A lot of times kids will stop doing one thing while they're learning another. My son really cut back on "talking" when he was learning to walk. As soon as he got on his feet, it was like a vocabulary explosion. He'd been listening all that time, but too focused on getting mobile to bother with letting me know!
However, you know your child and if it concerns you, I would call the pediatrician.
Sometimes they stop to hear what is going on too, if you are too concerned I would talk to your pediatrician or look into having the babies hearing checked. More than likely it is nothing to be concerned with. I am sure the coo's will start back up, but there may be more sounds in the works. Take the time to work on that sweet word..."mma mma"
Just like the other mom said, it's probably just that he's focusing on learning something else. Everything is so new to them, and this is the age where mobility really starts to kick in. I wouldn't worry about it at all... he might just be enjoying your reactions to him not talking!
Firstly, kudos on noticing the difference. Being an aware and vigilant mom is good for your kids.
Look for this:
Does he still make eye contact... look into your eyes that is. Wait for you to look at him that sort of thing. If yes, that is a good sign.
Has he had multiple ear infections or suffering from allergies? He may have fluid in his ears and can't hear well. If so, I would see a pediatric ENT.
Talk to your pediatrician and push them to dig more if you feel something is wrong. A mom's guts instinct is the BEST. My son had lots of ear infections and the docs kept saying all was fine. But he would up being delayed in speech/language. And he only started getting help because I kept pushing.. my ped. did nothing.
Good luck and just check it out.
M.,
If he were my child, I would take him to an ENT. (I highly recommend Dr. Ewin Tseng in Frisco/Plano). My son was older (three years), but had had an ear infection and could no longer hear. I would walk up from behind and call his name and he would not respond. Dr. Tseng had his hearing tested and finally William had tubes put into his ears. I was told that under age of three is a very important time to take care of this problem because of speach development.
M-J
I think my son did the same thing. I was kind of sad because he was making all these cute noises and then cut down a lot. I tried everything to get him to "talk" more, but he wouldn't. Then all of a sudden a few months later, he started talking with real words and hasn't stopped!! I feel like he was really concentrating on what we were saying, and when he felt comfortable, he just started up. His real words seemed to come from nowhere, and it was wonderful!
It never can hurt to speak to your pediatrician, though.
My daughter is 7 months, and just now has become a talker. She previously would have periods where she'd talk a little, and then times where she was so quiet. I ,too, worried some, but they sometimes are concentrating on learning something new and "forget" their old tricks.....but they'll return. :) Soon enough he'll be chatting your ear off. Good luck!
