Talking - Calhoun,GA

I think babbling is a good sign. Sometimes kids won't actually talk because whatever means of communication (i.e. sign language, babbling, pointing, looking etc.) is working. They have no need to change the method they are using. Sometimes you can nudge them into the next stage by not fulfilling their request when they ask that way, but rather, when they signal for it, say it in their words. For instance, if they are asking for a cup and point to it, you would say "cup" and wait until they say something that is resembling "cup" (repeat several times) then give it to them.

If she is babbling a lot, that's a good sign. That's the stage they go through right before they start talking. As long as she is surrounded by language she'll be fine. I think she is still pretty young.

My younger son did not speak other than a few words now and then until he was 3 and he's now perfectly fine, in the talented and gifted program as a 5th grader. My older son spoke paragraphs by 12 months and he's perfectly fine too. Children just develop at different rates! Don't worry! If he has any speech delays by age 7 they'll catch it and he can have speech therapy while in school... no sweat...

My son was like that too and around 18 months, something just clicked and now he talks all of the time. Some of it is still in his own language though.

a good friend whose daughter is 2 days older than mine.......2 and 3mths.......doesn't say but a hand full of words, my daughter talks up a storm. Her doctor told her that is she is developing normally in all other areas..that they would watch it....relax.....she will when she is ready.

M., most of the time it isn't a problem. The only question I would ask is this: Is she trying to say words and unable to speak them? Is it causing her any frustration? My son had to be in speach therapy for over a year. We did this through Babies Can't Wait. If you are really concerned you could ask for a speach evaluation and see what the therapists say. I know that most kids have their own rate of development, and it could be that your little girl is just a late bloomer. It could also be that she needs a little bit of help learning how to speak. My opinion is that it can't hurt to check. Go online and check out the vocabulary she's 'supposed' to have at this age. If you are still concerned then call Babies Can't Wait and check with them. Trust your instincts, if you think something is wrong then pursue the issue until it is proven to you that it is okay. Good luck!

i wouldnt be overly concerned but i would check it out. your ped. dr. can do simple tests for hearing and speech development. if he/she is concerned they will refer you to a speech therapist. My girlfriend's first daughter talked up a blue streak but for years i couldnt understand a word she said. i wanted to tell me friend but i could figure out how to broach the subject without offending her. after she was four she finally asked me what i truly thought because her husband and she were thinking that there was a problem. after that it allowed me to tell her that i did think there was a speech problem. come to find out, she took her to a speech therapist and mentally and educationally she is smart, smart but speech development she was years behind. she is now in speech three times a week. when my friends youngest seemed to never talk and it was well over a yr and half before she even mumbled. i went ahead and told her my concerns since we had been talking so much about the first daughter. she took her to the speech therapist and she said that her mumbles etc were on track for her age and that mentally and educationally she was above track. she did say to advance her she would need to go once a week. i guess all this rambling you can take two things. 1. ask your friends for honest answers (if you can take them - make sure they have kids- no kid friends cant understand baby anyway). 2. ask your doctor for an evaulation.

I don't have any advise but I definetly feel your pain. My son is 29 months and he still is way behind in talking. He says fewer than 20 words and he only puts a few words together(like hey mommy or want milk but it sounds like want mi). We tried to get him speech therapy but after the 4th visit the insurance denied the claim so we had to stop. Even after 2 appeals they still said no. I say if your insurance will cover it take her to be evaluated by a speech therapist. It couldn't hurt and that way a professional can tell you if you have any reason to be concerned. You usually have to get your peditrician to give you a referral so call them and see if they will. If nothing else it'll give you piece of mind. We went to the speech therapy department at Athens Regional Medical Center in Athens so if you live near there I'd definetly recommend them. Feel free to message me if you need someone to talk to who's going thru the same thing. Hope I've helped. Good Luck-J.

Mine were pretty early talkers too, but I've know some late talkers and it doesn't sound like you have much to worry about. I think if she didn't babble or use the occasional word, I'd be worried. Talk to the doctor at her 18 mos. checkup and see how they feel about it, but at 16 mos. I don't think you have need to worry.

My 16 month old son is just like your daughter.. still not talking but babbling. My two other kids were talking much more at this age. I have been told not to worry and he is communicating... just in his own way.
Also, try sign language... I find that it does help ( I did it with the my other two kids... and we still use it!) I understand alot of what he wants and needs with sign language.
Best of Luck!!!

Hi M., i know what you are going throuh my son is 18 months and only says maybe 8 words.. i told the dr this and they suggested us take him to speech therapy so they can evauluate him and go from there.. good luck ill let u know how he does in it and maybe u can talk to ur dr bout it too..

Not a problem at all.Children don't typically get a good vocabulary until age 2 or 3 so dont worry right now.

Hi M.,

I just wanted to let you know that two of my friends are going though the same thing and their docs said the same thing as your! All little babies are different and your will probably start speaking in sentences any day now.

Have a great day,
M.

Id say to speak with your doctor and let them know and understand your concern.'That is what they are their for. Remmber to take good thought at age and verses when they should or should not. Some children are slower than others and Some are faster. Doesnt mean they will or will not be able to. If child is mimcking words or making sounds. Then is possible that will do it. Every situation/child is different keep in mind. Some will say if they learn to walk then they will talk. Vice verses. Keep in mind your not alone are many children whom just flat out will not talk. Some may be shy or if figure out (If I dont do this someone else will do it for me) Children always responde to another child or parents.... After speaking with your doctor they can show or explain possiblities you may have in store. I know for Fact area in Savanah...Can call health department ask them of group called, "Babies can't wait. " This is state funding group will do evulation on child after you speak with doctor.They can help you get orginazed as well getting child help if any is needed. I know I used them in past with my youngest twin. Without them I would probly been lost. They got me the help I need and many ways to deal with.Like groups with other moms with same problems. To ease stress.

Good question! My son was at the same point (he's now about 21 months old). The pedi asked "Does he have words that he uses even if they are his own and you don't understand them?" When I said yes she said he's fine! Don't worry - one day things will start pouring out. With my son it was about 18 months. He says Bye, I love you, Dog, etc. But you'll all of the sudden notice that it just all comes together for them. Don't worry!

M., I am sure you may have heard this, but encourage your older children to not speak for the little one. If they speak for her, she will let them. Ask do you want milk or water and we she points to the cup, make her say it. Don't say milk when she points at the milk. Act like you don't know what she wants. Start giving her choices and make her say what she wants instead of saying it for her. It may work!! A. M (real estate agent in McD. GA)

Yeah it's just different with each kid my twins are 16 mon. and hardly have a vocab. whereas my 2nd child was able to count to 20 and say ABC's well before he turned 2! I have a few kids and like I said it was different with each one and you can work harder with them or you can enjoy them more by allowing them to come into their own and they will! I am sure she is fine but if your concerned about her development then bring it up to her PED and I am sure they will reasure you also! I want to add that usually the second child doesn't speak as well as the first since the older sibling will usually do the talking for the younger one!

I understand, My oldest is now 7 and by the age of 1 he could almost speak full sentances. My youngest is 3 and he really did not start talking untill he was 2 1/2.. He said MaMa at about 9 months and nothing else untill he had tubes put in his ears when he was 1 year and 7 months, but by the time he was 2 1/2 he was finally where my 7 year old was at the age of 1. I dont know if it was that he could not hear until he got the tubes or if it was because his older brother did all the talking for him.. He is just fine now. I wish now he would hush sometimes. I am sure that things will be just fine.