Should I be concerned?

[puddleduckee]

18 month old DS is saying very little. He sometimes says mum or dada, but not really consistently. He attempts to say dog, but it's more just 'duh'. He babbles constantly making conversational sounds and uses lots of gestures, but it's like he just doesn't get that different words/sounds mean anything.

We have been trying to teach him to point to body parts like his nose, but he just chuckles away to himself and usually points at something else with an expectant look on his face - willing you to look at whatever he's trying to show you. It's also hard to get his attention, rarely responds to his name or simple instructions.

He does lots of imaginary play, chatters on the 'phone' holding things to his ear, pretends to drink from cups and after he sips says 'ahh' or 'mmmmm' like he's seen his grandparents do, pretends to give me a drink, mimics house hold chores etc. He is also able to recognise animals in his books and make the relevant sound for them and also in real life. Seems fine otherwise developmentally, great eye contact, points, follows my gaze, claps, waves, shakes his head for no, no sensory issues, very placid and cuddley, and very interested in other children.

Hi just thought I’d reply not much knowledge as I only have 1 LG. But here’s my opinion

Personally I wouldn’t be worried, I think kids develop so differently at their own pace, my LG was at nursery from 8 months old and my friends LB who is of similar age didn’t go, they are both now almost 3. My LG was speaking a lot clearer than him and more words etc at an earlier age a lot sooner but now they are very similar in speech. However he was also able to point out colours a lot sooner than my LG, and is a lot more sociable whereas my girl can be quite shy.

If you are worried though I would say to phone your HV to keep your mind at ease. Try not worry, I personally think at that age he’s doing just fine

Also just to add the fact he’s making noises and connecting noises with actions - eg chattering in phone and saying ahh or mmm having a drink is a good sign!

Thank you for the reassurance MummyBear. MIL tells me DH was late to speak, and even now getting DH's attention when he's focused on something is difficult at the best, so perhaps he takes after his dad.

At 18 months only 8 words are expected including word approximations and animal sounds so the 'duh' for dog would count as a word. If he is using different gestures to communicate including pointing to request and pointing to share interests then I would not worry, he would be more or less on track.