Son not saying words at 15 months

[StephB2017]

Hi all,

Looking for some reassurance. My son has just turned 15 months and I am a little concerned as he doesn't really say any words. All he says is dada (although this isn't just directed at his dad, it's directed at anything/anyone), and 'brum brum' (although this is just a sound that he makes when he sees a car, so not really sure it counts as a word). And that's it! He doesn't even say mama, although sometimes he comes close when he wants me to pick him up (mamamama), but rarely. He does babble all the time, to us and to himself, and understands quite a lot. When I ask him to point animals out in books, he always points out the correct ones, but just refuses to repeat the words such as 'doggie'. Also, he's just started walking.

I've looked into it a little and some articles are saying there is a speech delay if he doesn't know three words by now, and others are saying that it's very normal (especially for boys).

Anyone else have a son that spoke a bit later but is fine now? Would love some advice as what more we could be doing. My husband and I are both chatter boxes, with our son and with each other, so the issue isn't that he's not being spoken to enough.

Thanks so much!!

Stephanie (first time Mum, big on worrying)

xxxx

I think that's totally normal. I love the babble stage. Enjoy it. He'll soon stop and swap to real words and this magic moment of his own little language will be gone.

(my smallest is 2 and there's not much babble any more. Sad face.)

I think you've described 2 words for sure, even if you're not sure about dada. Mine also uses mama as an all purpose command...

My DS is now 22 months and only really started saying anything at all in the last 3/4 months. He's now chatting away and starting to put together short sentences. I wouldn't be overly concerned.

My son had no words at that age, though his comprehension was good - which is much more important. He had maybe five words at 18 months. Possibly a dozen words at 2 years old.

Then just as I was getting really worried, literally in the space of a week he went from barely using words at all (preferring to point and grunt to communicate his wants) to talking in sentences. It was a really weird transformation.

He'll be three at the end of July. His vocabulary now consists of 300+ clearly articulated words and he uses them relentlessly. His mouth starts flapping before he gets out of bed in the morning and he does not stop wittering until he falls asleep at night.

So while it could mean there is a problem, it definitely doesn't have to.

bump :)

My little one is 15 months and says ‘hiya’ and ‘dada’ for most things and that’s it. The rest is Babble, I didn’t actually think he should know words by now. He goes to nursery and they’ve said he’s on track for his age.

Some just develop speech quicker than others, I’m not going to worry, I will just be on the look out for a few more words by 18 months or so.

My eldest didn't say a single word until 2 years old .
I mean this kindly but his very little to be worrying about this

Also don't know why you bumped instead of responding to very some helpful posts above

And sounds such as brum brum and quack etc do count as words

Totally agree with you, anxiousmumma. I actually answered this from unanswered threads, as I'm an old mumsneter who remembers when we used to be exhorted to respond to questions by other public spirited members. Not sure I'll bother searching for them if that's going to be the response.

Honestly OP he sounds fine. What you need to look for is communication rather than words. The most important things are that he is sharing joint attention, listening, following simple instructions, playing with toys appropriately etc. The attached language pyramid explains it well. Speech will come when everything else is in place.

He clearly understands you as he is able point out objects in a book when you ask, so honestly it is probably only a matter of time. I would just keep reading to him lots. Also, you can try commenting on his play or what you are doing i.e. 'you're pushing the car along/building a tower' or 'we need milk. Lets open the fridge door. There's the milk. Close the fridge' etc. When he points to objects label them and then expand the sentence i.e. It's a cat. A black cat etc. Offering choices helps too 'do you want the blue cup or the red cup?'

My DD is almost 2 and all she says is Daddy, no, car, ball and paint. Maybe a few others but she's learnt them over the past month. Try not to worry. The gp told me as long as they understand what you are saying or asking everythings ok x

Hi ladies, thanks so much for you kind, helpful responses. You've all made me feel so much better. This is what I love about Mumsnet! Kind mummies helping out other mummies.

What I don't love about mumsnet, is being popped off for no good reason, which I am surprised to see has happened here. I bumped for one reason - because I wanted to see if I would receive any more answers before sending out a thank you and any further questions. And if you look at my other few posts, you'll see that I aways thank people for their help. I didn't realise this is not "how it's meant to be done". I am not a regular on here and I didn't realise that people get niggled if you don't follow the rules, whatever they are. It's little unnecessary comments like these that give mumsnet users a bad name.

Once again, a big thank for everyone's advice. magicroundabouts - I love your response xxx

Stephanie
xxxxxxx

Perhaps you'd be better of on netmums ...