Wondering if and how much your little one speaks??

Lisa - posted on 03/03/2009

my daughter is almost 14mths and she says a couple of words such as mamma dadda yes no ta but for the most part she just babbles i think its all about learning to make sounds properly at this stage any way :)

Jennifer - posted on 03/03/2009

My 14 month old randomly says words--nothing consistent. I hear that you should try to get them to say something before giving them what they want. Sometimes it takes them longer to talk if they can get what they want so easily (easier said than done). My nephew wasn't saying much at all when he was 18 months. He'll be two this month, and is finally saying lots of words. I think they just start and are on a roll! Don't worry Dad!

Stephanie - posted on 03/03/2009

My son will be 15 months on the 14th and he is talking up a storm. He says a lot of words, the ones he says on a daily basis are mama, papa (for my dad), no, night night (when he wants to take a nap), hi, uh oh. more. ball, this, dada, done, yes, out. There's more but can't think of them right now.

Jessica - posted on 03/02/2009

don't worry! My daughter speaks but just not english! LOL it's all baby babbles for now.
My husband swears she says words but I don't think she knows what shes saying. she says dadadadada to the floor.....when hes not home! lol (but I wont burst his bubble:P)

Coreena - posted on 03/01/2009

Every child is different. My twins spoke alot earlier than my new little one. She often does not have the need to speak because her bother and sister will anticipate what she wants and will often get it for her before she asks. If your child has older sibilings or you really dote on the baby this could be the case. The know the words they will just use what is easier to express themselves at this age. Lately we've been making her ask for things and she now says. Up, all done, mama, dada, buber (brother, dee dee (her sister), nana, baba. She is getting quite good a saying peoples names, we use alot of repetition with her. Don't worry about your son. Mine was almost 18mths before he said much but his twin sister was saying alot before a yr. It will come with time and then your hubbie will be wishing for the days when he didn't talk. LOL

Laura - posted on 02/26/2009

Speaks..hahaha yeah right.  My son is the same way.  Boys are especially slow at talking.  They know what is going on but most (at least in my experience) aren't going to be speaking until much later, after 2.

Sarah - posted on 02/26/2009

hi my little boy says 'mama' and 'dada' and 'tar' (which is thanks) and 'nana' but im not worried as all babies and children devolop at different rates and like you Catherine I know what my son wants and he understands me so my advise is not to worry chick.

Karin - posted on 02/25/2009

My daughter has a ton of words, but of course each child is individual. i've read many, MANY times that what's important is that your child understands you, not when they start talking. So try not to get discouraged, he'll start picking up words when he's good and ready. Talk to him a lot, and narrate what you're doing, if you don't already (i think most moms do this automatically though). As long as he understands you, then you know he is picking up language, even if he's not ready to start talking now. Probably when you slip and say a 4-letter word, that's the one he'll repeat for you, ha ha!

Misty - posted on 02/17/2009

I agree with many of the other posters. There is probably nothing to worry about! My little guy (14 months old on the 25th) talks all the time. He says mama, dada, baba, no no, yes, uh-oh, oh no, uh-uh, oh wow, nana (for banana) and many other words in addition to his babble. But, he isnt' walking. It took FOREVER for him to learn to roll over and he was a late walker. Every baby develops each skill at their own pace. Try not to worry. You're little one will talk!

Ashly - posted on 02/17/2009

and p.s. comparing your child to other children can be devastating to your child's self esteem and to your own perception of your child. Get to know them as individuals and stop measuring them against other kids. They have their whole lives to measure themselves with their peers. No need to start so soon. In the words of Jenny McCarthy "all you have to do to be a good parent is to just be there, and just BE." No expectations, no standards...just let them be babies, let them be kids. Peace, Love, Unity and Respect!

Ashly - posted on 02/17/2009

I have been reading all of these posts as they come in and I have come to the conclusion that age in weeks and months is quite insignificant when it comes to the development of babies. Each child is different and has different strengths and weaknesses. If your child is not saying any words by the time he or she is 3, that is when it is time to be concerned. Some children develop verbal skills faster, some develop their fine motor skills faster and others develop large motor skills faster. Don't worry about it. Just enjoy them and encourage them and get excited about the things they are learning. The age our children are at (between 12 and 24 months) is one of the most amazing stages of development in my opinion. It is so much fun and you shouldn't miss out on it because you are worried about developmental delays that technically aren't even delays. Just have fun and do your part to encourage and cultivate all areas of their development. Hakuna Matata!

Rose - posted on 02/17/2009

READ READ READ! I read to my son and also use flash cards. I talk to him all the time since he was a newborn. He can identify animal sounds when asked "what sound does the animal make". He started saying mama and dada at 8 mo and by 10 mo he knew who is mom and who is dad. We talk to him all the time and plenty of reading

Alyson - posted on 02/16/2009

Raydon is 14 months and says a lot, which is nice because my stepson barely talked until he was 3. Ray says easy words, Mama, Dada, Desde-(brother is Deston), yuck, hi, bye, thank you, your welcome, food, done, more. He says some other words, but not very frequently.

Carrie - posted on 02/16/2009

My daughter is 13.5 months old and doesn't really say any real words. She babbles alot and can say dada and mama and tries to say dog. She does sign about 10 words but doesn't speak any. I think it's really pretty normal at this age for them to not have a vocabulary.

Melissa - posted on 02/14/2009

my son is 14mths n babbles a little but no actual words yet , he didnt start babbling till he was 11mths n that started off with da , the health visitor is referring him for a hearing test but i know he can hear fine but it just cause he has has so many colds since bitrth, its good to c that my boy isnt alone in not saying any words  .

User - posted on 02/14/2009

sometimes I worry about that too.. my son doesnt say anything but momma and dadda, and babbles... hes been saying "YEAH..YEAH..YEAH" but i dont think he understands what hes saying lol.   he hasnt said anything though...

we do speak two languages to him, so he could be a little confused.. i dont know

Jan - posted on 02/12/2009

My daughter, Guinivere, is 14 months old and she can speak like a 2 year old. She can say 3 and 4 word sentances. She was able to do this before 12 months. A child must be worked with, responding to the grunts and points all the time just enables the behavior. My cousin who is now 4 couldn't talk until I taught him when he was over 3 years old when he came to live with me. It's ok to give in sometimes but you need to teach him what it is he is after.

Vanessa - posted on 02/12/2009

My baby girl Melanie says also "mama"and "papa"(meaning daddy), and many other words in "babysh"...Sometimes i'm concerned because we are from Brasil and we speak portuguese, and at day care, they speak english, as on tv too....I think she may be a little confused with the 2 languages...I don't know...But I know she understands everything we say, english or portuguese....

AMummys - posted on 02/11/2009

Celine turned 14 months today. She has a large vocabulary already but rarely ever uses more than mum or dad at any given time. Mostly she just talks in babble. Each child is different.

Jill - posted on 02/11/2009

My girls have been early talkers I guess.  My oldest had some problems right after she was born(an abcess in her brain).  So she has a hole in her brain and we worried about her development.  Lucky for us my sister in law had my little nephew 1 week after my daughter was born so we could compair them.  The did everything the same.  However my daughter started talking a lot eairlier than him.  I think everyone develops at different rates, because even though he was hardly talking at all-sounded what is sounds like your son is sounding like, now he is almost 3 and is fine.  Keeps up with the rest of them.  I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Annis - posted on 02/11/2009

i get a yer yer mom mom nan nan!



some bbys are more foward than others, hollymaes bin walking since she was 8months out and crueling since she was 3 months old.. shes jst really slow with the talking xx

Regan - posted on 02/10/2009

morgan just started "trying" to talk all at once..before that nothing.. one day she copied another word besides the typical and from there took off and it's what she's "working on" right now so she's determined.  however I never said a word till 15 months my mom said but when I spoke I literally said as sentence.  All kids are different but as you read many are in the same boat.  My daughter just pointed for the first time last week (fairly late).

User - posted on 02/10/2009

It varies- he'll say some words for a while then quit saying them and say other stuff. He does like to repeat back and try to say things we say to him too. More than anything I think it's important to just say stuff as you do or encounter stuff so that they get the word. Sometimes they'll start repeating it and say it back to you (ie 'shoe', 'cat', etc) They all develop at their own pace.

Melanie - posted on 02/10/2009

No worries, my son is the same way, just babbling but you can tell that he understands some of what i'm saying to him so i think thats all that really matters at this point.

Lindsay - posted on 02/10/2009

I actually just read about this in a book I got callled What to Expect the Toddler Years: "Just because you can't understand a word your toddler is saying doesn't mean he isn't saying a word. Speech needn't be intelligible to count as legitimate language development, particularly at this tender age, and even well into the second year. Children use two kinds of "practice" language. One sounds like gibberish, but is actually referred to as "jargon" by professionals. A toddler's jargon may not sound like the parent tongue to parents, but it does to the toddler who utters it. Listen carefully to you child when he rambles on in theis seemingly meaningless way, and you'll probably notice that his gibberish has the same rhythmic patterns and inflections as spoken English. Speaking jargon satifies a toddler's need to have an adult-like conversation (at least to his ear), even with his limited linguistic abilities." (pg. 34)

It then goes on to talk about single or double sylable sounds (eg. da or dada). The point is that it all counts as language to a 13 month old. Grunts and noises count too. Like someone else suggested above, if your son grunts and points to something say and repeat the word to him and he may just start trying to mimic you.

Good luck and try not to worry too much!

Jeanette - posted on 02/10/2009

My daughter Theresa doesn't say much either. She says mama, dada, and "jah" for her brother john, but thats about it. Like you, I usually can tell what she wants and can tell she understands me. I have three older kids who talked at various ages so let your husband know he can relax cuz once Justin starts talking you'll want him to be quiet sometimes!

Sarah - posted on 02/10/2009

my little girl is 14 months now and she says quite a few words but she only uses maybe 10 in her everyday talking mostly she still babbles but will point and get her point across and she understand simple instructions from me.i have heard that little boys take longer to speak though.

Jody - posted on 02/09/2009

My son will be 14 months on the 12th, he also just says Momma, Maa, Dada, Da, and Bah which means ball bath and just about everything else! Although sometimes he has a serious conversation which I do not understand, I believe he will talk when ready. Just keep reading and having "normal" conversation with him so he hears the words.

Samantha - posted on 02/09/2009

my twins dont say anything in particular yet...mama dada but not really at anyone and they sometimes say ta as in thank you but thats about it! leah seems to understand what i say more than hollie but if i say go find dolly or pass me something then they will do that so they understanding...they also point to the kitchen if they want juice or food and the understand beddy byes and to go sleeps! lol probs loads more but not really talking much! as others have said they all develop at different rates so nothing to worry about!

Mandy - posted on 02/08/2009

My little man is over 14 months now and has a vocabulary of over 25 words he uses regularly and appropriately. I know they all develop SO differently, but one thing I do attribute his language skill to is genius parents =) never baby-talking with him. I would also suggest not always responding to the grunting or pointing every single time. I knew a 2 year old who had 3 older sisters and never said anything because she never had to. SHe pointed and 14 people jumped to hand her everything in sight. When you discover what he's after, tell him what it is! He's a cutie, by the way!

Carol - posted on 02/06/2009

My 13 month old is also a parrot! She repeats absolutely everything, favourite work is trousers!!! She tries to repeat everything and leaves me gobsmacked by the things she says. Although, she doesn't string more than one word together. I have two older children. My son, spoke very early and was speaking in sentences by 15 months, my elder daughter said absolutely nothing until she was atleast 18 months. They all develope at their own rate.

Tonya - posted on 02/06/2009

My son who is 13 months old says mama and dada and nana for banana but that is it.. Last time I was into the doctor with him, he was over 12 months and she said I should be a little concerned because he is not talking like he should?!? I am like what and honestly I didn't take it very well?!? Because they are just learning around them..My other two children do alot of the talking for my little one to it seems like. We try to include him with words and read to him books at night. Everyone tells me that he will catch on one of these days!

Amanda - posted on 02/06/2009

mason says all the "important" things... dad, dog, busta, zig (dogs names), geeg (horse), ta, tickle and just this week bothered to say mum!!! also started tryin to sing along to tunes and lots of babble, his dad says this is cause i never shut up! :-) i was thinkin this wasnt much for his age but now realize he is doing pretty well*

Emily - posted on 02/05/2009

My daughter is 14 months and is doing the same thing! She was saying mama and dada but hardley does anymore! She babbles alot and understands most of what I tell her. I am worried but my husband is not. He is a Physical Therapist and has talked to a Speach Therapist that he works with. Anyway they both think that she is right on track. Thanks for sharing its seems it seems that all the babies that are my daughters age are saying a lot more than she. That is why I am worried. But it seems also after reading everyone posts that there are a lot more people in the same boat! Thanks again

Dana - posted on 02/05/2009

my 14 month old isn't really speaking either.  she does the same babbling, grunts and the occasional mama or dada.  but that's it.  my hubby was worried about this too.  don't worry...all the books/articles say that this is normal.  they are still taking their vocabulary in.

Melanie - posted on 02/05/2009

My little guy has said about 4 words now but doesn't use them on a daily basis. More babbling then anything. I have taught him a few basic sign language signs for his basic needs to make things a little easier. Like everyone said we understand each other for the most part of his wants. Soon they'll be talking our ears off. I wouldn't worry

Christi - posted on 02/04/2009

Barrett says the usual Dada, Mama, Nana, and Bubba (what his sis calls him). He doesn't say any of these to the correct person, but it is what it is. Is it really necessary to post your child's age? Isn't this the Dec 07 babies group - ha ha!

Katija - posted on 02/04/2009

My son is 13 months old and says about 10-15 words. He tries to repeat everything he hears. I think that every child developes at their own pace but they all will eventually learn to speak. Constantly talking to little one, reading and reciting nursery rhymes helps alot as children learn from repitition. Also don't use baby language...

Kerry - posted on 02/03/2009

Max says Uh-Oh appropriately, Ma Ma (only from the crib when he is crying and I come in otherwise I do not hear it) and then rest of the time babbles and sometimes says dadadada but everything is daddaadda He does not seem to find words useful, he infinitely prefers to burst into outraged tears if he wants to communicate anything. He points and reaches for things he wants.

Andrea - posted on 02/03/2009

My son is also 13 months and says mom/mama, dada, yes, and sometimes bye-bye or birdie (we have a pet parrot we say goodbye to every morning when we leave the house, so it comes out "bye bye bir" on a good day.) He also babbles and occasionally it sounds like a word (today his teacer swears he said "bubble" when they were washing their hands, and then he kept repeating "togort, togort, togort" on the drive home. I asked if he was saying it was time "to go" and he said "yes", but then also said yes when I asked if he was saying "tickle" or "yogurt". Cleary the concept of "yes" is a bit fuzzy, so I have no idea if he was really saying anything.

Lisa - posted on 02/03/2009

My little guy will be 14 months on the 9th and is able to say "mama", "dada", "uh-oh", and "bye". He points to what he wants and will babble at times. My oldest didn't say much either at this age and now at age 5, I can't get him to be quiet.

Ashly - posted on 02/03/2009

My daughter is 13.5 months and is a PARROT! She repeats everything we say...or tries at least. We have been signing with her since 6 months and all the studies I have read say that signing early, helps develop their spoken language skills. She is now starting to sing her ABC's and sings "back pack" from Dora also. She is also beginning to put 2 and 3 word phrases together such as I love you, thank you, hi mommy, etc. Her vocabulary is astonishing. I attribute her early verbal skills to a combination of 3 things, SIGNING, talking to her ALL The time, and also her observation and interaction with her older siblings. She also learns a lot of words through repetition. In my house we are singing constantly, reading books and reciting nursery rhymes. Check out www.signingtime.com for a great program that has helped my 3 children become extremely advanced for their ages. Good luck and GOd bless!!!!!

Melissa - posted on 02/03/2009

My 13 month old isn't saying a stinkin' thing either. He'll just say 'uh!'. I had the same issue with my 7 1/2 year old as well, and he too started blabbling, until he started walking then stopped. Seemed he could only concentrate on walking. I had him in speech therapy at 2 years old, and let me tell ya - he hasn't stopped talking since!!! I have went ahead and put my 13 month old in speech tx as well, but only as somewhat of a precautionary. They will talk, and I TOTALLY understand how hard it is b/c communication is so important. Possibly try signing 'more' or 'milk'... there are great baby signing books out there. Be consistent and they will start doing it. It's super cute and makes needs a little more noted until he finally decides to talk!! Hang in there!!!

Jen - posted on 02/03/2009

Your son is getting there. It starts witht he sounds and then they get the words out. My daughter was born on the 1st so she's already 14 months. She's ahead verbally though. She speaks as much as an 18 month old should. Those little grunts and pointing are the start of them trying to make out the words. Just name things for him and he'll get it. My little one started pointing at 9 months so we've known what she wants for a while now. She now has a vocab of about 20 words and just started putting phrases together like bye doggie. It's cute. Just remember we want them to talk now, but we'll be wanting them to shut up very soon. :)

Amber - posted on 02/03/2009

my son is the same way, we grunts and makes weird noices but doesn't speak words all that he used to. i know how you feel i just keep working with him.

Rosalie - posted on 02/03/2009

My son is almost 14 months, and doesn't say anything. He understands what I say, so I'm not worried yet. It is a change from my daughter who had about 25 words by now! He's ahead of her in gross motor skills, though. They all develop at their own pace, some areas faster than others.

Susan - posted on 02/03/2009

My Logan doesn't speak. He makes noises and points or he says mamamama and dadadada but not at anyone person.

Beth - posted on 02/02/2009

Well, I am glad mine is about the same. He was saying Da Da pretty and was attempting Dog (gah) and Duck (Duh). Now he only says DaDa but not with the frequency as before. I just keep talking to him and hope that he startes talking more before he hits 15months when I think he should be saying a few words.

Jennifer - posted on 02/02/2009

I think your little one must be fine as I logged on today specifically to find out if anyone had any 13 month olds who were actually saying any words as mine is not! Samantha says da, ma, and na and that's about it. She understands when we ask her simple questions (like where is your ball?) and we taught her some sign language so she can tell us eat, more, water, milk, and all done. Our kids must be fine if everybody's babies are about at the same place! :)

Lisa - posted on 02/02/2009

My daughter is 13 months old and says "mama" "dada" "baba"(she doesn't say this a lot anymore) and "na" (I think this means "no"). She has JUST started saying "uh oh" and "hi", but these are few and far between. I think your son is fine, but if you are really concerned, tell your pediatrician about it. He/She is the only one that will really reassure you and your husband!