16 month old not babbling.

[EJMummyC]

I am just looking for someone who can relate really or even some positive stories from others who have been in a similar situation.

My little one babbled when they were really young. Not the typical ' ma, da, ga' type of babbling. More 'ooo' 'aaa' and my favourite 'ummmmmii' this all completely stopped at around 10 months. They now barely make any sounds unless excited then we get a high pitched squeal. They are meeting all other milestones and have very good understanding and can follow instructions. They communicate very well using gestures and makaton. I just can't understand why they are not using their voice. They have had their ears checked which were fine. Has anyone been in the same situation and finally got to hear their baby's voice? I know some babies talk later it's just the not babbling that has me worried because she is not practicing making any sounds.

My youngest was the same and yes they did talk, eventually.

How does she go on the 16 month Ages & Stages?

Thank you for your response. This makes me feel a little more optimistic.

How did you get on with the assessment?

Sorry I didn't see that bit at first. I have had a look through it and she does most things just nothing verbal. I will do it properly when I get a minute.

Did your little one also not babble? Or stop babbling. Everyone else I have spoken to thinks it's really strange including the health visitor.

When they did start to speak, how and when did that happen?
Is there anything you did to help? I think I am doing everything I possibly can but always open to new ideas.

No my DC didn’t stop babbling. If they’re losing skills, like stopping babbling, and the HV thinks it’s strange what is your HV doing? Has she done the 22 month check with her abs how did it go?

No the health visitor didn't do anything just said wait until 18 months. She may just be focusing on other skills. We went for a hearing test. Not really been offered any support.

So if the HV said to wait until 18 months, has she booked that appointed with you yet?

No I did call them this morning and was waiting for a call back at 12 they called at 2 and I missed it. I will try again tomorrow. Other than requesting a referral to speech and language is there anything that you can recommend that I ask them? Im a first time mum and new to navigating all of this.

I totally get that it’s hard to navigate

How did you get on with the Ages & Stages? Scoring grey in a couple of areas is perfectly normal. Anymore than 2 areas or if they’re scoring balaclava in any area you need to speak to the HV or GP soon and ask for a referral to a Paediatrician

I have had a really busy day and not had chance to do it properly. I have just had a go at trying to fill it in but I don't really understand how to transfer the scores. In the first 2 sections off the top of my head I put 3 yes and the other sections were 5 yes. I'm trying to do it on my phone so that probably isn't helping. I'm confused about the longer section with just yes and no answers. Are these added onto the total scores. Sorry I know you can't really help when you can't see what I am doing. Basically she can do most things. Her fine motor skills have always been great. She responds to her name unless the TV is on.. she has only started walking over the last couple of months. She walks well inside but can be wobbly outside I think it is just her getting used to wearing shoes and different surfaces. She does not communicate verbally at all. Unless for example I am cleaning her face and she will shout 'uuh' and shake her head or when she is trying to get someone's attention. She can identify most body parts, knows animals, every day objects can point to things in books. She has always loved books and been able to turn pages independently from a young age. She would lay down and hold the book with her feet and flick through pages. She will look through a book pointing at words and saying 'uh uh uh' she kind of takes a deep breath and sighs as though she is about to speak but nothing comes out. If that makes any sense. She has used a preloaded spoon from 6 months and from around 11 months has used a spoon or fork completely independently. She uses makaton well and can put 2 signs together for example if asked to find a toy and she can't find it she will sign 'where help'. She loves colouring and if I say can you colour the dogs eyes she will scribble over the eyes. She loves people and other children and will wave to everyone or walk over to people and touch them on the arm. I have found that she communicates better at home or with myself and her dad. Some people have said that she is probably not speaking because she can sign so well but when she wasn't babbling I wanted her to have a way to communicate. I noticed today when out with a family member that she did not do some things that I asked her to do that she would usually do at home.
The lack of babbling is my main concern. She did love to flap and bounce alot! But since she started walking this has reduced massively she has started to bang her head when sitting in her highchair or against a wall. Not very hard and will stop when told to. If I say no she will sign no and smile she is easily redirected. She has also started to put her fingers in her ears in noisy environments. Which I know can all be normal for toddlers.

Sorry for the huge message I guess I am still analysing and making sense all of her behaviours myself.

Hello, any update please?x

Any update on your little girl please?

@NJJT you might get the OP’s attention if you try an @

@EJMummyC Hi, any update?x

My son had very few words before the age of 2. Now he is in reception and a fluent speaker (above age expected, according to his teacher). Like your child, he demonstrated understanding but was just delayed on the verbal side.