I remember my baby babbling before his six month check up and have not heard any mamama, dadada, etc. since that time, just grunts and squeels, he will be 9 months next week. He also used the milk sign with his hand early on and no longer. After researching my concern I'm suddenly paniced that the regression is an early sign of autism. One Parents Magazine article in particular has me very upset, about a child that stopped babbling at six months, went totally mute by 10 months, and became aloof and increasingly unresponsive by 18 months. I can't imagine loosing my boy's sweet happy nature to this disease. I plan to discuss everything we're seeing with our dr next week at his 9 month check up, but would love any advice or opinions I can get before then. Has any one had a baby wait to babble until after 9 months? Or stop for a period as long as this? Can anyone experienced with autism comment on this as an early sign?
Additional info: He is the youngest of 4 kids. His hearing seems fine and he's never had an ear infection. He is very engaged, quick to smile and laugh, likes to be snuggled, responds to his name. He grunts, sequels and blows raspberries and will have "conversations" back and fourth with those sounds. If we switch from grungs to "mamama" mid-game he will respond with a raspberry or laugh. We talk read and sing with him constantly. He's not quite crawling but sitting up and moving a bit, can pull up with minimal assistance. Feeds himself table food. No problem with strangers, but usually doesn't like to be left in a room by himself. Plays with lots of toys and books, but does obsess over a fan and occasionally becomes strangely focussed on a small object.
Thank you in advance for any comments.
He's probably fine. I think its too early to worry about things like that. Just enjoy him. My 3rd a boy was more interested in crawling than babbling at all. I also have friends whose little man is 2 and has a vocabulary of 10 words. Kids learn at different rates.
RELAX!!!!! Autism has us all scared to death that any little "sign" means our child has it! I've been there too. My youngest has been the least verbal for his age of my 3 boys. And there were many times I was afraid he was slower, something was wrong etc. At his 18 month check my Dr. asked what words he COULD say, not what he said all the time. I listed about 10 words, and she was like "wow, he's advanced" Now my middle son was talking up a storm at that age.
Kids all progress differently. And I remeber a GREAT tid-bit a Dr. once told us. At these young ages, their minds are working on over time. They are learning and processing so much new information that once they learn a bit, they stick in the "back of their brains" to take on the next snip it of info. It doesn't mean they forgot, it means they're on to something new.
My little guy may not talk as well as his brothers did at this age, but I'm witnessing just how smart he is. I can say something in passing and look down to see him acting out what I'm talking about, or doing it without being told. Your son is FINE. Just take a breath, and let him lead his own way! He's engaging you, he's entertaining you. He's only 9 months, he sounds great :)
My grandson did not babble at all. He is now 22 months and just starting to
say a word here and there. He understands everything and then some! He
is the happiest little guy, plays appropriately, and is just a sweetheart. He
is being evaluated for speech. In my heart, I think he will talk just later. Today when his Mom picked him up and put him in his carseat he starts
yelling No No! It figures that would be the word that comes out clearly. I
hear words here and there. Back 36 years ago, my first did not talk until
she was three, but back then we just did not worry. When she did speak
it was in full sentences like an adult. Just keep talkiing to him. The one thing I always do it if my grandson wants something (and boy does he
make it clear what he wants) I always make him say something even if it
is a grunt and I repeat what he wants. I am sure your baby is fine. Just
keep a watch and if yoou are concerned, speak to your pediatrician.
I have a son with Autism and while majority of parents note their child began to regress after specific vaccines it doesn't necessarily mean that is what your child may be doing. If I was you, I wouldn't do anymore vaccines until you know your child is progressing in all areas, including speech. If your doc tries to discourage you and tell you that it's more important to vaccinate, it's because that is what they are taught to do but you are mom and you have rights to tell a doc, "no". After you see your child is progressing normally and you want to continue vaccinating again, that is your choice but don't allow the docs office to play catch up with too many vaccines all at one time.
Your child is still really young, he may just be testing out new ways to use his tongue and cheeks to make more noises. If you begin to notice any other strange things, I'd start journaling those things. If you need more help, feel free to PM me, I'm more than happy to answer any questions you have.
Our 14 month old JUST started babbling.
I wouldn't worry about it - our son did the same. We "thought" he was beginning babbling around 8 months. Turns out it was the beginning of vocalization. It came, it went like a phase. Then back to nothing.
And now - well it ain't english...lol
Do talk to his doctor next week and voice all your concerns. I do know this is what happened with my cousin's son who is autistic, BUT your son's behavior can also be normal so talk to your doctor and go from there.
Some things you may consider, is there a reason for him to ask for things like his milk, or do you and the rest of the family offer before he has a chance to ask leaving him no need to? Does everyone talk to him and say the words, "Mama, Daddy, baby" etc., clearly and not in baby talk, or are you communicating with him just in the grunts, squeals and blowing raspberries that he does? He will mimic what he hears. Does he respond when you call him from behind while across the room or do you need to be face-to-face for him to respond to his name? If you are doing these things and notice his responses aren't what they were with your older children maybe it is time for him to have his hearing looked into, even though it appears normal.
Hope all goes well with his check-up and your talk with the doctor and that everything is fine : )
Good thing you have other cildren to base milestones off of. I think you should bring this up to your pediatrician but, I will say sometimes when children have many siblings they can be slower or faster at development. Slower because there are so many people at that childs side to get, do say what the child wants/ needs. The faster angle is that they have so many models to excel from. As you are well aware having 3 others, every child is different and will have their own pattern of development. Good to stay on top of and be observant. Just not worry/ stress over.
Take a breath and talk to the doctor about your concerns. Keep notes on things that you find troubleing or that have changed over time so you aren't struggling to remember if it comes to you taking him to a specialist later down the road.
Good luck!
My daughter, now 14 months old, did same thing. When she was less than 6 months, I thought she was babbling appropriately. Then, she slacked off between 6-9 months. Finally started saying mama and dada, but no others. I asked doc about it at 1 year visit and he said to not worry. Sure enough, less than a week later she started saying more and more sounds/words. I would mention it to doc, but not worry at all!
I know it's easy for me to say don't worry! But you really shouldn't especially being that he is only 9 months old. I say this because I have a 12 almost 13 year old that could barely talk at 1 1/2 years old! But now he is a very bright healthy kid with no problems. I would be lying to you if I said I didn't worry or wasn't scared when he couldn't talk...I WAS! And the whole Autism scare happened with me and my 2 1/2 year old....the one mistake I did was TOO MUCH RESEARCH! When you start Googling and looking up things on the internet all that does is put these crazy ideas in your head! All babies develop at different times and nothing that you have said sounds abnormal! I'm sure you know this but just mention it to your Doctor and of course they will monitor his progress and just reassure you that you have nothing to worry about it. Before you know it he'll be running and talking NON STOP! : )
He sounds like he's doing great, just a little behind on words and physical development with the not crawling yet. Talk to your pedi about these issues, it could be nothing, or it could be something. You can have him evaluated for free by eci (early childhood intervention) and even receive free therapy to help him progress.
i wouldnt worry just yet some kids are just quieter but talk to your doctor for sure
He is not behind with crawling at all. He sounds fine to me, it's so easy to freak out! What is most important is that he is interested in things you point to and that he points to things that interest him. Not babbling by 9 months could be a sign of something as is obsessing over a fan or hyperfocusing. At this point he seems fine though.
Nothing at all sounds like a red flag, but not worrying is easier said than done. If you find that you are still stressed, call the CDSA (Children's Developmental Services Agency). They have come to my house several time to evaluate my daughter, and they have been so nice. My son does have autism, so they completely understand why I am freaking out over every detail with my daughter.
You do not need a referral from your pediatrician, so don't stress if your pediatrician is not supportive. Having an evaluation will either make you feel much better or make you aware of any steps you need to take. Of course, if you already feel better after reading the other responses, then you don't even need to worry about the CDSA. :)
My number three didn't babble or talk for 2.5 years, she let out bloodcurdling screams. I had her into specialists all over the place, diagnosis -- she had a sister and a brother who did and said everything for her. Once number two went to school, all of a sudden #3 was talking in sentences.
She didn't walk either until 18 months. Sissy would go get her anything she wanted.
She would stare at lights and fixate on videos like Fantasia. She is now 14, perfect in every way (that's mom talking, lol).
She is ahead academically and has a touch of anxiety. She has found her voice and uses it much to her advantage.
While she was a baby I was freaking out, but nothing was "wrong". He sounds like my little one, who is taller than me now.
Keep watching him, but I bet he's just fine.
I noticed it in my daughter when she was that age that she didnt babble either. ...compared to her two siblings. She also didnt hold her bottle, she would try, but when she would reach for it, she would knock it out of her mouth. She didnt sit up at 6 months alone, (8 months)There were other things also.....she didnt really crawl, she didnt cruise furniture or use a walker or push toys. She did walk at the very end of the expected time, she would just pull herself up.. as a 3-4 yr old, she wouldnt attempt to say any word that had 3 or more syllables. She wouldn't sit on my lap for story times as a toddler. She wasnt affectionate. i would askl her something and she would give a completely off topic answer. She had terrible tantrums and anger. People around me, everyone, kept telling me she seemed normal to them. She is now 9. I think she has CAPD, and maybe mild autism. She does have mild hearing loss. Some of her lack of babbling could have been because she sucked her thumb, which created a cavity in her upper palate and a huge overbite. She had a hard time forming certain words when younger, and it was hard to understand her, but better now that braces have gotten rid of 70% of that overbite. She is 9,and still trying to figure out syllables. Still doesnt use words in appropriate tense sometimes, and has a lack of understanding social cues. A lack of babbling is definitely something I would make note of, and know /watch for other autism signs.
