!7 Month old not saying very much

Courtney - posted on 02/05/2009

My daughter is 19 months and I have been wondering the same thing!! She says mama, dada, juice, no, she kinda says up and down, and she says that. Very few others, btu I was always worried that she's not developing right! A friend of mine, who has a developmentally disabled child speech wise, said that if they aren't speaking ANY words by that age and only grunting then there could be a problem (again, it could not be a problem too!) I think that your daughter is fine! My daughter seems to have picked up juice over night! She is our first and only so far and I have been told that with the first it is usually slower, unless of so programs like "mommy's outings" or daycare where there is interaction with other children. Hope this helps!!

Christy - posted on 02/03/2009

I dont' know if you have had your questions answered about your daughters speech, but my little girl had the same problem. She was two and still wasn't really talking. She had two older sisters who were ages 3 and 4 and I had people tell me that they were just talking for her so she didn't have to talk. You have to trust your gut. If her speech really does concern you, talk to your pediatrician about it at your next well baby check up. I put my little girl in first steps which is funded by the government and if you qualify you don't pay a penny for the help. They came to my home for everything, including speech therapy. My little girl is really starting to do well now and when she starts school she should be at her age level for speech. It was one of the best things I could have done for her. She could have had trouble learning in school if she can't properly communicate. First steps would test your child at no cost to you and let you know if she even needs the help. You just need a referal from you pediatrician. You are your childs advocate. Don't feel like you worry to much, trust your gut. The worst that can happen is that they tell you she does have speech delay, they get you help and you move forward. Or they say she is fine and you are a worry wart. It's better to be safe than sorry. Good luck and I hope it all works out well for your child. It did for mine. And I am an extreme worry wart. When it came to my child's speech, I wasn't wrong.

Abegail - posted on 02/02/2009

Quoting Christine:

Just a suggestion here: If you say your daughter gets her point across by grunting or pointing. Try not to anticipate her needs too quickly. If she points to her cup you know she wants a drink, but don't just automatically hand it to her, instead say

"Cup (or Drink or whatever word you like) Do you want your Cup? Say Cup"

if you keep repeating the word and holding the object she might try to immitate the sound. Then next time she points to it you can say

" If you want the Cup, say Cup. I will give you the Cup if you say Cup"

This kind of repetition helps them learn the names for things and makes them realize that they have to say words to get what they want instead of grunting and assuming that you will give them what they want whether they speak or not.

Great advice.  We taught our daughter Frankie basic sign language when she was 13 months.  We would have done it earlier if we thought about it.  Each time we would figure out what she wanted we would say "Oh you want a drink?" make the sign and then give it to her.  Actually it didn't take long at all, maybe a couple of days for her to remember.  It was so easy from themn on, she'd just make a sign for what she wants and if it wasn't one of the things she knew how to sign, we'd just figure it out and learn the sign that day.  She's now 18 months and she can talk a lot so she rarely uses her signs.  But she was able to learn: more, drink, please, thank you, poo poo, finished.  The poo poo was great.  She would say it and do the sign and it's a mad dash to the bathroom!

Leeann - posted on 01/26/2009

my health visitor came round because i thought my son (18months) was behind. he says dad, mum (all the time and for pretty much everything!!), miaow for cat, gen (again), ba (bath) dodo which is what we call his dummy, nana, bir (bird), pla (plane) bubbles, t (tv) shh (shoe) and car and he is just starting to say no! i obviously know what he is talking about because im with him everyday. she said that they do the speach test at 2 and as long as he is saying 10 recongnisable words to me then that is healthy!

Angela- - posted on 01/25/2009

Heidi,

I have 18 month old twins and WOW what a difference between the two. One is more physically advanced while the other is SO SO smart...from his speach to his A,B,C's, and identifying animals and every day objects.

Children develop different on so many levels. I was concerned about the very same thing and the chance of possible Autism - But my worries were halted very quick when I realized that he was developing in other ways. One thing you may wan to try is taking her to the Dr. and having her ears checked for ANY blockage. If she is not able to hear what your saying clearly then that may be the problem. You an also try that " My Baby Can Read" program...That may help big time. Flash cards of the alphabet may be a wonderful tool as well. My Garret has learned half the alphabet in just 6 months.

Hang in there and no worries...she will be learning way too much soon enough.

Ciao'

Jodie - posted on 01/25/2009

my daughter is also 17 months and doesn't say very much, she only says nana, dada, mama, fish and hiya and bye, i have just started doing my own kind of speech therapy with my little girl, get some toys like a cup, dog, cat, pig and do some picture cards for juice and milk, start with the basics and then she should start picking them up and she be well on her way, hope that helps.

Danielle - posted on 01/24/2009

I'm on baby number three, the youngest being 18 mos. All of my little munchkins started speaking at different times. My little girl, (the 18 mos. child) just in the past month sprouted up with several new words! (Including 'Please' just last week!) She's always understood so many more, but she never lets on. All of my little guys have been in daycare for about 6 months now, she just 'graduated' to the toddler room instead of the infant room, and it seems to have had an effect on her. Being around all of those other yappy kids (besides her brothers) seems to have pushed her to start speaking more to communicate with her new friends. At home she was always able to just look at us with those big blue eyes and we just KNEW what she wanted, she never really had to ask.

Cassie - posted on 01/23/2009

My youngest just went for his 18 mo check up today. He says between 5-10 words (closer to 5). The pediatrician said this is perfectly normal as long as he is understanding communication from us. He points at things and will go to the the refrigerator or cabinet depending on if he wants a snack or his drink. He also knows which way to go when we say bath time, time to brush teeth, time to wash hands, etc. My oldest had only a few words at 18 mos and was saying the alphabet by age 2 so it is definitely not anything to worry about.

Heidi - posted on 01/22/2009

Thanks so much to all of you that have responded.  You have really helped to ease my mind.  My daughter is trying to make words and sounds, and that is all I ask for.  I know that she will talk when she feels the need.... Again, thanks you have all helped and given me such great suggestions.

Thanks, Heidi

Trish - posted on 01/22/2009

to all you first time mommies, believe me when i say don't worry, every child learns at their own speed. Being a my of five i know first hand. my oldest daughter walked at nine months, but didn't really start talking until around two. my second daughter was speaking very clearly and full sentences at 10 months, but did not walk until she was 14 months. my oldest son who is now 8 was in pull ups until he was 3 and ahalf (i was worried he might have to wear them to school lol) my youngest son who is now 2 and ahalf. didn't say much either at 18 months little words like ball, light and mamma. now you can't get him to stop talking. And my youngest daughter who is 18 months old also says very little, but i don't worry she understands everything i say to her. and i know soon enough she will be chattering up a storm just like the rest of them.just enjoy being the best mommy you can to your baby take care. trish

Lisa - posted on 01/19/2009

Great advice from Christine! Once she starts saying cup you can build on that too to expand her language. For example: "I want. cup" you can also talk about the the features of the cup. "Oh, ytou want the BLUE cup", "we DRINk from a cup", "a cup for MILK" etc.

Christine - posted on 01/19/2009

Just a suggestion here: If you say your daughter gets her point across by grunting or pointing. Try not to anticipate her needs too quickly.  If she points to her cup you know she wants a drink, but don't just automatically hand it to her, instead say

 "Cup (or Drink or whatever word you like) Do you want your Cup? Say Cup"

if you keep repeating the word and holding the object she might try to immitate the sound.  Then next time she points to it you can say

 " If you want the Cup, say Cup.  I will give you the Cup if you say Cup" 

 This kind of repetition helps them learn the names for things and makes them realize that they have to say words to get what they want instead of grunting and assuming that you will give them what they want whether they speak or not.

Lisa - posted on 01/19/2009

Quoting Shannon:

I'm not sure if there is any truth to it, but I've heard that when children develop earlier motor skills, their cognitive is a little slower & vice versa. My daughter said her first word at about 11 months & now has almost 20 words in her vocabulary. She's even starting to form small, simple sentences like 'bye, bye daddy'. However, she didn't start to walk until almost 15 months. So, the words came first & the walking came much later.

Actually about 30% of children with motor delays DO have trouble with speech/language as well because speech is a motor skill.

My daugther has significant motor delays - 18 months and not pulling up to her feet yet let alone walking - she has been getting therapy for half her life. So far language is okay but I am keeping my eyes open for any issues.

If this IS a problem early intervention is key. I wish I would have had my daugther evaluated at 4 months instead of waiting until she was 8 months.

Amanda - posted on 01/19/2009

Like everyone has said, it's probably nothing to worry about. My little boy was saying about 8 or 10 words at 17 months, but then suddenly now at 18 months, he's learning a couple of new words per day, and is constantly chattering away! I think interaction with different people helps too, if you're at home with your baby do you go to a mother's group or playgroup, or maybe storytime at the library? That might help as well.



If you're still worried, go to your child health nurse or doctor, they can check their hearing and responses to put your mind at ease that there's not a medical issue.

Rhenna - posted on 01/11/2009

I'm a first time mom also.  I personally think she's ok.  If you want to improve her vocabulary, try flash cards with one short word and a picture, like ball or tree.  I just started this with my son and he seems to enjoy it and just repeated "ball" back to me.

Laura - posted on 01/10/2009

My daughter is almost 18 months and she doesnt say many words either. Does your daughter do things when you ask her...like she understands what you are saying. I feel better because I will ask my daughter "Emily go get your piggy, or are you hungry" and she goes and gets her piggy and goes to her highchair. Maybe she is not saying much, but she understands more than you think. Hope that helps!

Shannon - posted on 01/09/2009

I'm not sure if there is any truth to it, but I've heard that when children develop earlier motor skills, their cognitive is a little slower & vice versa. My daughter said her first word at about 11 months & now has almost 20 words in her vocabulary. She's even starting to form small, simple sentences like 'bye, bye daddy'. However, she didn't start to walk until almost 15 months. So, the words came first & the walking came much later.

Lisa - posted on 01/07/2009

Hi Heidi!

Speech is so complex it takes a long time for the words to be understandable - A lot of children aren't completely understandable until age 4!  It's normal for everything to be 'mama' or 'dada' at this age. I frequently refer parents to the American-Speech Language page on speech and language development http://asha.org/public/speech/developmen... Not only does it give a nice overview, but it provides other resources and you can search for help if your child does seem to be falling behind.

HTH!

Kelley - posted on 01/07/2009

My son Henry, who is the same age, is the same way.  In fact my daughter, who is now 4, didn't really start talking until she was around 2 1/2.  She really just said some words here or there before that.  For my kids it is that they both are so physical that the verbal takes a back seat.  Both my kids were early walkers (10 & 11 months) and both climbing out of their cribs by 17 months.  

If your daughter understands what you are saying then I wouldn't worry about it.  It can always be helpful to talk to the pediatrician about your concerns.  It is amazing how quickly they learn things though.  She could start talking in full sentences at any time.

Telling you not to worry would be silly- what mom doesn't, but just know that your kid isn't any farther behind that a lot of the other kids I know at this age.  hang in there!

Heidi - posted on 01/07/2009

Thanks for the feedback so far.  Yes, I do stay home with her, so this could be part of why she is not as willing to talk.  She does cry, point, and gesture to what she wants- so she knows how to get her poing across to us...She does babble a lot and otherwise developmentaly on track.  Since she is our first, we kind of dote on her, which probably does not help either.  We are hoping that more words start to come.  Thanks again, and any further advice or comments is always welcome.

Amy - posted on 01/06/2009

Don't let it concern you! My littlest isn't saying much either! Just ask yourself, hod is she communicating? Do you let her cry, point and say her ask word (Kyrah's is "me")? If your baby doesn't need to talk, she won't. She will talk when she needs to. Is she at daycare? Or at home? (my first at day care even sang songs at this age, my second at home doesn't yet)

Cath - posted on 01/06/2009

Hi Heidi.

My son is almost 18 months old as well and he has a few select words he uses but is developing more words everyday.

Kids develop at different times - some thing which ihave learned very quickly being a mother of 2 kids - they ar so very very different - my son is listening to my daughter speak to us and others and is picking up the words for himself.

Don't panic - all is fine.

Take care

Cath