14mo development

[lg20590]

Hello,

This is my first ever time posting anywhere like this but am driving myself crazy so thought I'd turn to here for some guidance and (hopefully) reassurance! I am a first time mum to a beautiful 14 month old boy, and have been starting to have some concerns about his development. The struggle I have is that I am a long term anxiety sufferer so am finding it difficult to work out if my concerns are valid or are once again just the anxiety talking (parenthood really is one long walk in the anxiety park isn't it?!). I was hoping to hear from those of you with some experience of this age to let me know if he's heading in the right direction, or if I am right to be concerned...

So primarily I am worried about the communication side of things. He hasn't started talking yet (he says mama and dada but not entirely sure that it's with meaning) but babbles a lot. He points at things but doesn't seem to use other gestures (such as shaking head for no or nodding), clapping and waving is very hit and miss (if he does it it's very delayed) and the most concerning for me is it seems that 9 times out of 10 he doesn't respond to his name...my family think it's more of an ignorance thing but I am not convinced.

Whilst I have started to worry about this I have become more aware of other things that I have started to question and now I don't know if it's normal behaviour and my mind is just running wild! For example he's become a pretty fussy eater, he's not that interested in toys (he's more into just walking around with them or throwing them, he can't stack hoops or blocks for example), niggly things like he can hold and drink from his sippy cup but has never held his own milk bottle and has a VERY quick temper on him

I'm sorry for such a long and rambly post, and that I probably sound like a completely paranoid Pete but I've wound myself up so much I can't see the wood for the trees at the moment...would be v grateful for any advice or comments from mums with babies at similar ages. I know all babies are different and develop at different rates which just makes it all so much more bloody confusing but any help would be very gladly received....thank you x

Hi OP
My DD has just turned 1 and she’s pretty similar, doesn’t really talk yet and almost never responds to her name. I can’t really comment on the food because unfortunately she has an ongoing problem that affects her eating but toys also tend to be thrown (usually at me!) rather than actually played with. Obviously all babies are different and you know him best at the end of the day, but nothing you’ve said seems particularly concerning to me at this point. Hope this reassures you a bit.

I think your DS sounds like he’s exactly where he is supposed to be for his age. The only thing that stands out to me is him not answering to his name, so have you had his hearing checked? I would definitely speak to your gp about that in the first instance if only to rule it out. My son has glue ear and so wouldn’t respond to his name unless he was looking at you. Whilst you’re waiting, I would try to make sure your DS is looking at you before you speak to him (try tapping him on the shoulder) and see if you get a better response.

This sounds exactly where i am at all be it my wee boy has no notion of rolling crawling or walking yet. He only says dada and some other sounds no mama. Ive been worried too and think its hard when some friends tell me how much their little girls were doing at his age!! Anxiety is in us all my dear so panic not im also first time parent xx