15mo not saying words

[overworriedmum]

Hi! I am a first time mum so expect I'm maybe just worrying for nothing but my 15 month old still isn't saying any words and I'm wondering when I should seek advice?
DC has good motor skills, can walk, climb, pick up small things, throw a ball, stack 6-7 blocks, carry large objects, climb stairs, sort of use a spoon, drink out of a cup etc so I have no worries there but still hasn't said any discernible words - says "ap" for apple and has done it enough times spontaneously that I think it counts but other than that, nothing. DC does babble (mama dada nana baba etc) and point at things, and understands a lot and follows instructions easily. Can I assume just assume that the talking will come? At what point should I contact HV etc?

Sorry I should add, DC has good eye contact etc and is very sociable and does communicate, just not in words!

Sounds like your DC is doing great. Non-verbal communication (gesturing) and receptive language (understanding) are far more important at this stage. It will come. I really wouldn't worry.

Thank you @Foreverbaffled ! I think sometimes you just need the reassurance, especially when the milestones are saying they should be doing X Y Z by a certain date- logically I know that they are all different but then the mum-worry kicks in!!

Oh absolutely! I understand totally. I've struggled with huge milestone anxiety regarding both my children and over the years I've learnt how these set dates for a skill can be missed or delayed and most of the time it doesn't mean very much and they catch up in their own time. Of course there are exceptions but generally it works out okay.

Honestly in your situation your DC is meeting all the important communication milestones. Chances are they will say their first word soon but if not then it can be something that can be supported later. Understanding and gestures are the only things that matter at this stage in my opinion.

He's definitely saying a word if he is using "ap" for apple - his first words won't necessarily be clear or be clear for someTime but you will understand what he means

Sounds like he's doing perfectly

There's a huge range of normal for speech and language skills