Toddler Doesn't Say "No"

Mine! She didn't really say "no" (and mean it) or even "Mommy" until around 2 years old. Around 22 months I was googling the internet because I was worried about a speech delay despite her pediatrician saying she was fine. Just after she turned 2 it was like she learned a new word a day, it's just crazy how much she talks and comprehends now. I'm sure your son will be fine. And trust me..."no" WILL become one of your least favorite words to hear ;) I should note that at around 22 months I also took away her nuk/paci and had her start drinking from straw instead of sippy cups...not sure if this actually helped or if she just needed time tho.

Be careful what you wish for!
;)

All kids do things in their own time.

I always say to keep in mind that little ones can't read the "milestone" manual.

I tend to think that kids who say NO the most are the ones who HEAR no the most.

With some younger moms, I've seen a trend in attempting to redirect as opposed to using the word NO. However, it's my opinion that the concept of NO is pretty important.

I don't think you should be too concerned as long as the pediatrician isn't.
Little kids learn to express things at very differing intervals. Much of it is experimentation at first.

I think your little one will be just fine.

My guy soaked up everything he heard and his vocabulary literally exploded when he hit 2, I was amazed! Previous to that "no" was unspoken. "Normal" covers a wide area, circumstances and situations need to be taken into consideration...being bilingual, using a pacifier or bottle, being an observant rather than a demonstrative child...there's many factors. If his pediatrician isn't concerned you needn't be either.

Saying no often comes a bit later than 18 mos in my experience. And if you don't say no all the time he may not say no a lot either.

And it takes time for little ones to coordinate their head movement with the concept of yes and no. I suggest that he doesn't really know what no and yes combined with the head movement even mean yet.

Mine nearly never said no.

But then, neither did I!!! It was a revelation, though, how often I said 'mine' and 'dude'. Kids latch onto what they head the most.

Does he say other words? It doesn't really matter WHICH words they're saying, just that they are picking up words. No is usually an early word because it's easy to say, they hear it a lot, and it carries a lot of meaning so they get a lot of bang for their buck :) My son, didn't do "no" in a big way, he said "stop" (which he pronounced 'top') much more frequently. He had over 50 words though, so I didn't stress about which ones they were. He also signed, rather than spoke, the phrase "thank you" until after he was 2 despite being a big talker.

By 15 months, children should have at least 3-5 words OTHER than mama and dada. Your pediatrician should be checking on speech development at each well visit.

If you're concerned, ask the doc :)

HTH
T.

At 18 months, 5-10 words is considered "normal". My son didn't say no either. It was a word I didn't use much, I would redirect him and he was pretty well behaved. When he turned 2 and was still not saying "no" that is when I called Early Intervention.