How many words would you expect a 21 month old to say? (on average)

[PyjamasNotBananas]

Hi,

I know it's a bit like asking how long is a piece of string because it's so varied but when do you recognise it as a speech delay or a problem that needs addressing?

My DS2 is 21 months old today and I seem to be surrounded by toddlers speaking in sentences! I know I shouldn't compare but it's impossible not to worry. I can't really remember when DS1 had that language explosion but I do remember he was talking in simple 4-5 word sentences at his second birthday party. DS2 seems so far away from this.

He has about 50 words which he uses regularly. Some are very clear such as 'Mummy' 'Daddy' 'bus' 'car' 'ball' 'more' 'flower' 'keys' 'Nanna' 'Bye Bye'.

However the rest of his words are still quite babbled and although me and DH understand them, a lot of people wouldn't. Example he says windmill as 'ninmil', sun is more like 'zun' and digger is 'digdigdig' some of them are just the sound instead of the full word so cup he says 'ca ca ca' when he wants a drink.

Does this sound 'normal'? I realise there is a huge range of normal but I just seem to think DS1 was speaking more clearly by this age.

So is 50 words OK at this age or do you think I need to speak to the Health Visitor? People seem to be talking to him at the school when I pick DS1 up and asking DS2 questions and looking quite surprised and confused when he doesn't know how to answer them. It's just made me wonder if I should be concerned.

Completely normal. Dd is almost 23 months and said her first word yesterday. That's not so normal but within the outer boundaries of ok. Dr has referred us to slr but he and slr friend think she's fine it's just a precaution.

What to worry about is what they understand if they seem to understand okay the speaking will catch up.

Thanks again everyone. Ahh slattern yes I remember they don't shut up actually, it's all coming back to me haha!

DS2 has learned to say so much just in the past few days actually. Still not really joining any words together in sentences, except for 'Bye bye Daddy' when DH goes to work and 'Bye bye XXX' when DS1 goes into school in the mornings! But he has said a few words I didn't know he would even know, 'marto' when eating a tomato and my friend's baby's name he said 'hello XXXXX' which was just so adorable!

He's coming along nicely I think. Just his pronunciation is still babbled but I think DS1's was for quite some time even after the age of 2. It's reassuring to hear so many of you saying he sounds fine. He's such a sweet little boy in many many ways. The more he's speaking, the more I feel I'm learning about him and I realise quite how amazing they are at this age.

He also said 'Night Night Mummy' tonight which is almost a sentence right???! He'll get there. Thank you to everyone for putting my mind at rest.

At 21 months I believe that anything between virtually none and full sentences is normal, as long as the child appears to have normal hearing.

My 4 DC displayed the full range- from almost entirely mute but technically able to speak (she pretty much never shuts up now), through only having 3 words (his vocabulary was commented on for its breadth and sophistication barely 6 months later), to full sentences and sophisticated conversations (DDs 1 & 3).

My friend and I have both noticed our seconds are behind our firsts in terms of speech. DS at 20m was talking clearly so strangers could understand; lots of words and a few 2-3 word sentences. DD is nearly 23m and although she burbles and 'talks' more than DS it is broadly unintelligible. I have never documented her words; she probably has 50-100? I find when you start thinking of words they quickly add up.

I think more important is comprehension; if your DS can, for example, point out things in a story, follow instructions etc then I wouldn't say there was a development issue.

I think a lot of it is people judging ages wrong. dd2 21 months is a talker, no idea how many words. She is average size but looks like a massive 12 month old as she has a real baby face and wispy baby hair particularly when sitting. She was sitting in her high chair demanding this and that when we were out and some woman with a 15 month old was looking at her like . I had to laugh tbh, the talking baby...... . Not advanced, just ridiculously young looking!

My first three dc were all talking in sentences before they were two. dc4 didn't say very much until a couple of months after he turned two. Now 2 years and 10 months he is very articulate.

I think he was concentrating on other things - he could ride a bike before he could talk!

We had a quick SALT meeting when DD was 22 months as she had so few words (less than 20?) and SALT agreed she was behind, but said to monitor for 4 months and back off with trying to get her to speak.

... 4 months later she was singing "twinkle twinkle little star" all the way through and saying sentences like "Be careful with that pan Mummy, it's got beans and sausage in and it's hot!"

I understand why you are worried though - we were terribly. Give it a little longer I reckon x

Just to add to this thread, my DD is 21 months old and I have just counted 115 words that she is using consciously. Two word combinations occasionally but no sentences yet. Though, it feels like all her energy goes into physical skills. She is very physically developed and can climb all sorts of obstacles, jump and slide.