Is it O.K./normal that my 11 mo. old son only says "dah-dah"?

Doreen - posted on 02/26/2009

Quoting Pamela:

Is it O.K./normal that my 11 mo. old son only says "dah-dah"?

He makes other letter sounds, but the only word he definitely sasys is dah-dah. Is this normal, or should I get concerned (more than I already am)

You rest your mind. This is normal, it's a good start too. Reading him picture books will help him.

Andrea - posted on 02/26/2009

This is totally normal. The general rule is that they should have one word by one year & then they start saying more.

Kerra - posted on 02/26/2009

I went through the same thing with my son, who is now 2.  I was concerned just like you and asked the pediatrician if this was something that I should be worried about.  She reassured me that there is no worry.  You should not get alarmed unless your child is 3 and still not talking.  My son is still slow at his speech, but I work with him and it has improved.  He will start talking in his own time. Don't rush him and put too much pressure on him as this may actual delay his speech even more!  Just give him some time and before you know it, you'll be wishing he was back to dah dah!

Sara - posted on 02/26/2009

I'm NO expert, but I do know that you have NOTHING to worry about. All kids develope their language skills at different times. I do know that by age 2 children should be saying at least 20 words that their parents can understand and by 3 they should be understood by everyone. You could always ask the doctor ..later on ...if you child hasn't started trying out words.. he is still very young for a big vocabulary. I just google everything from home and always have a list of things to ask my doctor if I am concerned..  as mom's I think we worry more than we have to! lol

Alisha - posted on 02/26/2009

At 12 months, my Zoe wasn't saying too much either. A few words, but she was concentrating more on learning to walk. I've read that's how it goes; they pick one thing to focus on and that's where all of their attention goes. Once she got the walking down, her vocabularly expanded. And one month in school (with others her age), and her vocab grew exponentially.



I wouldn't worry. But if you can expose him to others his age, it might help.



Good luck!

Jessamine - posted on 02/26/2009

I wouldn't be too concerned, assuming he's not only making sounds but responding to things/actions/sounds with sounds; eventually they will come to form words. As long as you continue to 'actually speak' with your child in response to his noise making he will mimic the action/sound and attempt to make the same sound that you are making.



In addition to this, I had placed my children's hands/fingers on my lips so that they could feel the movement of my lips in addition to hearing and seeing me speak. Just be ready for their attempt to lip pulling; yours.



I hope that this will help in addition to the other suggestions.

Mary - posted on 02/26/2009

Very normal, I would say. Don't drive yourself crazy by comparing where your child is to others. Honestly, my daughter didn't even say "dah-dah" on her second birthday. She is an excellent student today (13 years old). As long as he seems to be paying attention (laughs, follows things with his eyes, holds on to things), he should be fine.

Megan - posted on 02/26/2009

I wouldn't be too concerned.  When my son had problems, he didn't even babble or make any sounds.  If he's responsive to being talked to, likes to be held and hugged, and isn't completely silent I would say he's very normal!

Mary - posted on 02/26/2009

I agree. My daughter didn't say any words until after her 2nd birthday. I was concerned, but her doctor wasn't. By 2 years and 3 months she was speaking very well. I would only be concerned if your son doesn't seem to understand you or doesn't pay any attention when you speak to him.

Megan - posted on 02/26/2009

My son was 2 before he really began to say anything!!  He is fine now, however.  Some kids just take longer than others.  However, I would ask your doctor to refer you to a speech therapist for an observation.

Karen - posted on 02/26/2009

I was crushed when my first baby said da-da first.  Ma-ma came a few months later.  Don't worry language will come sooner than you think.  Time seems to be unusually slow when you are home with your little one all the time.

Concentrate on helping them communicate via sign language as he gets more able to move hands.   You'll be surprised how much they can communicate:  please, thank you, more, hungry, thirsty, all done... It helped them not be frustrated that I didn't always get what they were trying to communicate.  I also had each one of mine at about 11 mo. until they spoke at 20-24 months, have fun making animal sounds. 

"What does a kitty say?"  etc.  It's a blast and you feel like you are really interacting verbally!  With first ones we worry so much cuz it's all new.  Try to enjoy this wonderful short time you have with them this age.  My favorite age is 1-2 years!  They are so unique.  God bless you! 

Theresa - posted on 02/26/2009

No...no need to get concerned...usually the first words they start to use are the ones that they can form with their tongues easily...usually it is Dah dah or ma ma or maybe even both...but even ma-ma is a stretch because of how they have to form theirs months to do the "M" The best thing would be to read to him...even if he pulls at the book...If he wants something say it before you give it to him. If he wants his toy...hand him the toy and say "train" or "car" or whatever it is...All kids develop differently. I had two that are 27 years old and 17 years old NOW...and they both did things completely different. By the way HE IS SO CUTE...good luck to you...don't be concerned just enjoy them...believe me it goes by so quickly.

Ann - posted on 02/26/2009

Quoting Vickie:

There is probably nothing wrong. Like someone else mentioned, if you are concerned, talk to the pediatrician at his next appointment. There is no need for a special visit there. Even if they did ever suspect a speech issue, it wouldn't be addessed just yet. My son has a speech disorder and another had a speech delay. Perhaps try to introduce baby signing, continue to read to him, sing, etc. Those are things that will promote the use of language. Do not always compare him to other children. They really do all learn at different rates.

I agree; I am certain that flash cards, signing, & reading helped our daughter's progress with speaking. Because she's always been super active, we've always done those things in her high chair before & after meals. She loved it. ...And if you don't want to wait to the next appt. or bring him in just to address this, you could just call. Our office (like most) has a nurse's line for questions like this.

Jennifer - posted on 02/26/2009

My son experimented with a lot of letter sounds but didn't really start saying his first words until he was a year old. He could say dada at 10 months but that was really about it. Surround your son with oral language (talking, singing, reading) and he will start talking when he is ready. You can also talk to your pediatrician at your son's one year old appointment. I remember being worried about my son as well. I talked to his pediatrician and he told me that a one year old should know between 5 and 20 words but that all children develop a different rates. He told me not to worry because it was obvious that my son understood language and was able to listen and follow simple commands. He didn't say 5 words until 14 months and that's when his language skills really started developing and now he's 2 and knows over 100 words. I agree with Charity. As long as there isn't a medical condition (like hearing loss) there shouldn't be reason to worry.

Vickie - posted on 02/26/2009

There is probably nothing wrong. Like someone else mentioned, if you are concerned, talk to the pediatrician at his next appointment. There is no need for a special visit there. Even if they did ever suspect a speech issue, it wouldn't be addessed just yet. My son has a speech disorder and another had a speech delay. Perhaps try to introduce baby signing, continue to read to him, sing, etc. Those are things that will promote the use of language. Do not always compare him to other children. They really do all learn at different rates.

Christine - posted on 02/26/2009

It is completely normal!!! My son didn't start talking coherantly until he was about 18 mos., then he took off like a rocket. They just need to experiment with their sounds. Don't worry, I guarantee he'll be talking before you know it. You'll have an 8 yr. old like I do, that won't shut-up!!!! :)  Be patient, don't worry,  he is right on track!

Sara - posted on 02/26/2009

Quoting Pamela:

Is it O.K./normal that my 11 mo. old son only says "dah-dah"?

He makes other letter sounds, but the only word he definitely sasys is dah-dah. Is this normal, or should I get concerned (more than I already am)

My 2 year old son didn't really start talking until about 18 months.  He started with daddy and pop-pop at about 13-14 months.  Boys usually develop gross motor skills (walking/running) quicker than skills such as talking!  The "experts" say you need to worry if there is nothing by 18 months, so your son has a little ways to go!

Ann - posted on 02/26/2009

First let me say if you're really concerned, there's nothing wrong with asking the pediatrician; that'swhat they're there for & you deserve peace of mind. However, (this is so cliche, I know) all kids develop differently. Our daughter was slow to sit unsupported, accept solids, accept table food, & crawl. ...BUT she was walking at 11 months & said her first words "mommy" & "daddy" at only 9 months. Now she's 18 months & she's just fine. I remember the panic when she wasn't doing things according to the typical milestones, but then I realized she was fine & it was just me driving myself crazy lol.

Kaylor - posted on 02/26/2009

My little boy is 17 mos. and didnt start really saying bunch of words until 14 or 15 mos. He still only says 10ish..and even they are only understood by me and my husband! =) No need to worry.

Sheila - posted on 02/26/2009

Excellent news. Zoe is 16 months old, can do me-me-me, Mum-mum-mum, dada and there! That's it. She's on track I believe. Well done. Sx

Charity - posted on 02/26/2009

There is no need to be concerned. All babies start to talk when THEY are ready..not when you are ready for them to. I know a three year old who is just now starting to talk. As long as you know there is nothing medically wrong that you can visually see(problems within the actual structure of the mouth), then I wouldn't be too worried about it. Hope this helps!