18month development and routine advice

[Noideawhatimdoingkindamum]

Hi guys,

So first time doing this.
First time mum as well.
So forgive me if this is all over the place.

I basically need advice... and I know that's risky being on the Internet and asking for advice as everyone has different opinions but when I told our gp our concerns they basically said it was too early to say anything.

So our son is 18months old now and I'm not sure if i should be concerned or not. He doesn't react to his name and doesn't say any words. Doesn't really listen much either.

He babbles a lot, like constantly babbling but not proper words. And when I say he doesn't listen i mean I'll ask him to pick something up and he will just ignore me.
He is always running and climbing so when we tell him to get down sometimes he listens. We have a lot of friends with kids (mostly girls) and he gets on great with them and is very sociable. My friends say its because he is a boy that he acts like this but i'm not sure. I was one of five girls so i have no real experience with raising a boy. He generally seems like a happy healthy little boy. I just wanna make sure he stays like that and that I'm not messing him up.

So other info that might be relevant or not I'm not sure. I work full time mon to Thurs 7am to 5pm and his father works 4 on 4 off from 6am to 6pm so there are days where my family is watching him as I've not yet put him in a nursery. The mum guilt is strong with this topic but because of this, I don't know how to work out a routine for him as I know setting up a routine is key.

I basically feel like I'm struggling and I want to be the best mum I can to him. So I'm opening myself to any advice and criticisms I guess.

If you've gotten this far, then you're awesome and I hope you have a brilliant day

I'm not sure what your question is?

Bless you OP. We’ve all been there. I was where you are not too long ago. Obsessing over milestones and riddled with mum guilt. It’s constant isn’t it…

As cliché as it sounds, 18 months is too young to be concerned about not listening/responding or saying words as there’s variations in how and when children will do these things. My daughter started saying words around that time but didn’t start climbing properly until more recently (she’s 21 months) she could climb the stairs but couldn’t climb the sofa or the (low) double bed in her room until she was around 20 months. There are variations to the ‘norm’ and I was obsessed over milestones and still do sometimes worry but I’ve realised that the process isn’t as clear cut as set milestones. Various factors come into play and this will mean the milestones from one child to another will vary.

Continue reading to your child and narrate EVERYTHING you two do as this helps. Singing helps with predictability and repetition.

Of course in a few months time if you still have these concerns reach out to a professional but at this stage I wouldn’t be too concerned (I know easier said than done).

Good luck x

I had one that was a bit like this, I can remember posting at the time.

I would do this very simple progress checker.

Let us know if it says he needs some support

Thank you, this has definitely eased my worries a bit