Infant Baby Talk

If it is any consolation, my daughter is 11 months old (next week) and she only says three "words." Most of the time, she just chants da da da da da over and over again. Hang in there.

I wouldn't be worried at all. I've heard that it can take up to 15 months for a baby to say his first words.

I don't think you should be concerned at all. I have never heard anything that says a child should be saying words at 10 months. Some may, but it is not expected. They are usually babbling, but that doesn't mean the words mean what we want them to mean. I would not be concerned at all. It sounds like your child is completely developmentally normal.

totally normal. He should be doing babbling though. You make up the dialogue that game was always fun for my husband and I!

I have five children and they all started at different times for everything, we have a set of BB twins in that mix and even they started at different times. As of now I wouldn't worry. Just constantly talk to your son about anything, like when changing his diaper or fixing his food, explain it to him while you are doing it. He will start talking back soon and you guys will have so much fun!!

there are no needs for concern.boys normally take loger than girls to talk or just bable to where parents think that there babys are saying words.I have a 1year old and she just babels away and I think she said a word but what they do is imitate sounds. what will help also is constant repeating same words or songs.if he has a pacifier don't give it to him in the day,that helps also, give it time he may not say mama or dada it just may be a simple tan qu or me-me (Thank you or give me)

At my daughters 1 year check up the doctor asked me if she knew 10 words....all she ever said was "nine". The doctor didn't make a big deal of it. When she was about 1 1/2 she started talking in full sentences. I remember the her first was.... shut the door mommy. Don't worry about it, my daughter is a very bright 5 1/2 year old now who has great speach. She is what I call an observer...she was just taking it all in. I bet your son understands everything you say to him, he will talk when he wants to.

Maybe this link will help you feel better: http://www.babycenter.com/general/6734.html

In my experience, parents who say their children talk from a very early age are counting babbling as speech, which I don't.

My son was a little over four before he started talking....
Sign language was a life saver for us!! Children pick up on it so quickly, and it's just a wonderful thing to do with your little ones!!

I would not worry. My daughter did not say anything but dada for the first year. She was 14 months before she said mama. Little twerp!:) She is now 2 years 3 months and she speaks more clearly than alot of the 4 year olds we see on the playground. Her vocabulary is amazing. I do have to say back when she was one I did worry too, that is our job. I now believe that they do it when they are ready.
We read to her every night before bed. I don't know if that's why she speaks so well, but it can't hurt.
If you are still worried ask your pediatrician at his one year check-up.
On the flip side, enjoy the silence, it will not last long. I don't think I have had a complete thought in the last 6 months for the constant chatter coming from my daughter! :)
Take care and have fun!!!!
Steph

M.,
My daughter was not vey verbal at that age either. I wanted to be able to communicate with her, so I taugt her some sign languge. It worked great. She picked up on it as fast as I could! And yet, she was still not talking. However, she is now 2 and the other day I counted a 7 word sentence coming from her mouth!! She didn't start verbalizing for a while.. but when she did it was like the dam had burst. I think some kids just wait til they know all the words before they say them.

Hi M.,

I think it's pretty normal. If you want to "do something", there are a few things you can do. First, talk to him about anything and everything. In your best sweet mommy voice talk to him about folding the laundry or making dinner. Second, read to him. Picture books, kids books, magazines, anything. Third, give everything a name. Door. Potty. Sink. Water.

All of a sudden, he'll start talking like crazy. Remember, you spend the first year or two of their lives wishing they could walk and talk...and the next 16 wishing they would just sit down and hush!

Good luck!

Hi, I am sure you heard people say that there is a wide range of ability with speech. But there are the basics. Babies can start saying Dada anywhere fr 5-6 mos and up. It is terrific that your son says Dada. This is generally on of the first words babys say b/c they say d's first. Don't compare your son to other children. There are other things you should be asking yourself. Does he make a lot of other sounds? Does he understand you? Does he point? Is he more physical at this point. Children tend to work on one domain at a time. He may be learning to walk right now. (If he is not already). If he is, he is not going to focus on speech b/c generally boys are more physical. So they are usually working on their gross motor first and then their speech. Also, providing a literacy based environment in your home. Read books-all the time. Sing to him even if you don't have a good voice. Repetitive nursery rhymes. Put him in your lap and let him see your lips move while you say: Mama. Honestly, at 10 mos. I wouldn't worry unless you have bad feelings about other issues he may have. If that is the case, go to the pediatrician. If it isn't, I wouldn't worry too much until around 18 mos. If by then, he is not making any progress, then go to your pediatrician. You can always get him evaluated by a speech pathologist. But you have plenty of time, you'll see I am sure he will be progressing in no time!

The hardest thing about having a baby is trying not to compare him with everyone elses..I am also a first time mom..My ped. told me that every child develops at a different rate and not to be concerned unless he hasn't hit major milestones..Saying Dada at 10 months is great..Mine is now 19 months and only has a few words in his vocabulary..He is a master at nonverbal communication!! (points and grunts.. :)) anyway my son also didn't start walking until 14 months..(long after several of his "friends" had) So I wouldn't be concerned..just enjoy your son for who he is.. :)

I know just how you feel! My 9 1/2 mo old babbles, and of course her grandparents pick out nana and papa from the string of ohhs and ahhs, but she does not discriminate who is who and what is what. From what I've read, babies this age should babble but it's a "may even be able to ...." when it comes to using words to actually describe what they are trying to describe. (You might want to check out "What to Expect -The First Year", it has helped reassure me.) AND- it always makes me feel better to think about my dad. When he was young, everyone thought he was mute because he never uttered a word after he stopped cooing. Then, when my Grandmother picked him up after his first day of kindergarden, she asked him how he liked school (by no means expecting an answer) and he started spouting out everything they had done and said and how much he loved it all! She said she almost crashed the car she was so shocked to hear him speak. She asked why he had never spoken before and he said because he never had to. LOL... Now he is still quiet, but he is one of the most well-spoken people I know. But it just goes to show that everyone is different and language skills will come when they come. Your son probably understands moe than you think, at least I hope my daughter does. But really, don't worry and don't feel bad. Like some of the others have said, we're right there with you! Don't worry!

My son, now 16-months and an only child, wasn't saying ANYTHING by the time he turned 1. Not even mama or dada, and yes, I was concerned, but not overly. Now, at 16 months, he only has 5 words, mama, daddy, kitty, hello, and hi. He was evaluated and is considered to be delayed when it comes to communication, both verbal and non, but since he's still so young, I've been told not to worry. A woman I work with, her son didn't start talking until he turned 2 and now, at 3 1/2, he won't hush up!! :o)

If you're overly concerned about your son, then talk to your pediatrician and see what they would recommend. Otherwise, enjoy the quiet, because soon, you'll be hearing a lot more! Good luck!

hi
you need not worry much about it and the only advice i will give u is that u have to talk alot with ur kid.
allow him to play with other kids if possible so that he will learn fast.

Don't compare your son to what other mothers say. I've found that most of them tend to exaggerate how advanced their child is.

Boys tend to develop physically faster and take a bit longer vocally. The only word my son would say until he was about 16 months was bye. At 2, he talks just fine. Lots of words.

At this age, pay more attention to the words he understands rather than what he says.

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My son will be 11 months old on Friday. He only says "mama" and "dada" to anyone that will listen. Reading your post makes me wonder if I should be worried too.
I understand how you feel hearing about other kids. But I just have to remind myself that babies grow when they grow. AS long as he is doing other things that 10 month olds "should be doing", I wouldn't worry about it. Is he cruising or even walking yet? Aiden is cruising but he's too afraid to let go of the couch. If you're still concerned, call his ped and see what they recommend. They may just tell you to chill out and that you're doing a good job. Sometimes thats all we first timers need to hear anyway.
Just wanted to let you know that I'm in the same boat as you. Maybe even knowing that someone else is going through the same thing will make you feel better. LOL

I wouldn't worry about him not saying anything yet. He's ONLY 10 months old. I hate to say this but those other mothers probably "think" they hear their child saying this stuff. I have 4 children and they each spoke at different times. I'm sure he's fine and there's nothing wrong. Don't worry. Now if he's 3 or 4 and still not saying anything, then I would worry. My sister didn't utter a word til she was 2 1/2 and she graduated from High School at 16. Don't compare your child with other people's children.

No worries! Sign language is wonderful for all babies, especially late talkers. My son is 15 months old and only says a few words. It will come and then you will wonder why you were in a hurry because they never stop!
J.

My son is 7 months old and he's already saying momma. My Friend's little sister never said her first word until she was a little over a year old. And my younger cousin didn't speak until she was almost 5. There was nothing developmentally wrong with either of them they just weren't ready to talk yet. So it could just be his personality but you should probably talk to your child's doctor if its concerning you and if there are any other things you think your child might be behind in. I'll pray for the 2 of you good luck I'm sure everything will be just fine.