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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Should i be worried that my DS still only says dada

19 replies

ChezzaB · 15/05/2009 20:19

Not sure if i am just being a bit neurotic but my DS is nearly 14mo and still only saying dada! I know all babies develop at different speeds but in all the books it says he should really be saying a few words and knowing their meanings! I think he is quite advance din other things like he puts shapes in the right holes etc but I am just slightly worried bout this one thing! I maybe shouldn't listen but my friends are like "oh my DC was talking when they were 9/10mo" any advice please?

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Febes · 15/05/2009 20:21

DD is nearly 18 months and only says dada, mama and a few other words. I think its normal but I will watch this thread with interest.

snowmummy · 15/05/2009 20:25

I'd say don't worry. Like you said, they all develop at different rates and its hard not to compare you little one to other kids. You say he's advanced in other areas, he'll probably have a learning spurt in this area soon enough. One thing I would ask is do you have any reason to doubt his hearing? Did he have a one year check and if so did you mention this to the HV?

thisisyesterday · 15/05/2009 20:26

my 18 month old has only just started talking

he says
du (duck) and burr (bird)

skidoodle · 15/05/2009 20:28

My DD is around the same age and she says dada all day long and we're not even sure she even says it to mean "Dada"

I haven't read any books so until I read your post it didn't even occur to me that she was anything other than "very advanced" TM

Putting shapes in the right holes sounds very good to me, my DD can't do that, but then obviously I know nothing about these things.

This is such an amazing stage, you can see them just sucking up information about the world.

Doing things early means nothing. I started talking and walking at 10 months and look how I turned out! [although I am really brilliant at walking still ]

I don't mean to make light of it. Of course it is worrying if you think your child isn't developing properly, and if you're really concerned you could bring him to the doctor.

Try to enjoy him though. He sounds ace

snickersnack · 15/05/2009 20:30

At 14 months, ds was only saying dada. And at 16 months, and at 18 months. His vocabulary is increasing, and he's now got quite a few words, but they are very indistinct. He has hearing problems, which we picked up on after an ear infection, so are waiting to have grommets in/adenoids out which the consultant thinks should improve it. Worth getting his hearing checked if he hasn't got more words in a few months, but I wouldn't worry for now - sounds extremely normal.

They do all progress differently - it's so hard not to worry - dd was chattering away well before 2, but he's much much better at lots of things than she was. Far more co-ordinated, far better at puzzles.

kalo12 · 15/05/2009 20:32

my 15 mth only says dada too. but he is very very active, more so than his peers, apparently they develop these things differently - either language or movement skills.

try a sure start language class - i was worried about my ds's language but actually they say the norms are much later than what the books say.

newlark · 15/05/2009 20:37

my dd only said yes and no at 24 mths, about 8 words by 26 mths, 20 words by 28 mths then her speech suddenly took off at 29 mths and she is putting sentences together. We were told this is perfectly normal (although at the slower end of normal!)

LoveAndSqualor · 15/05/2009 20:53

My DS just coming up to 14mo, and only says "that", at whatever it is he wants. The day pretty much involves him pointing imperiously at objects and saying "dat! dat!" until someone passes them to him.

And if it's any consolation, I apparently did't say anything other than "no" until I was two and a half - and I did an English degree at a good uni and am now a literary journalist. So I don't think it held me back

FattipuffsandThinnifers · 15/05/2009 20:56

Nothing at all to worry about. I know plenty of babies around this age and older and there is a vast spectrum at this age. Eg I know two 18 month old boys both of whom have only one word each.

I take it with a pinch of salt when other people say their dc 'spoke' at 10 months btw.

If his understanding is ok (eg he responds to his name, 'where's the ball' etc) and you have no other concerns about him, I really wouldn't worry.

Step away from the books too!

Overmydeadbody · 15/05/2009 20:59

Don't worry. It's not unusual at 14 months tbh.

If it makes you feel any better my DS didn't utter a word until his second birthday, when he went right into sentances. I tihnk some babies just like to absorb a bit more before they start attempting to say words themselves.

skidoodle · 15/05/2009 21:01

LoveandSqualor my DD does that too, she says both "this" and "that". If there is a questions mark implied, that means "what is this/that?" otherwise it's a demand

tryingtobemarypoppins · 15/05/2009 21:05

I have been worrying about this too. My DS 17 month says mumma, dadda, look then today just said bird and clock! How random! They get there in the end!

chegirl · 15/05/2009 21:38

Dont worry. Your DC is perfectly normal. Honest

wrinklytum · 15/05/2009 21:44

As long as you have no other worries about development in other areas,and your LO is using lots of babble,pointing,seems to understand simple commands etc etc then there is nothing to worry about,honestly.It will happen,but there is a big variation in speech at this age.

josette · 15/05/2009 21:48

My DS is 19 months and he really just says 'that' at whatever he wants and nods/shakes his head. He drags you to what ever he wants and points with urgency. He seems to hear no problem at all... even whisper the words apple or garden and you get dragged in their general direction. And he points at things and practically insits you name them for him.
I mentioned it to the Doctor last week during a visit and she just said that he probably feels that he doesn't need to speak yet. All his needs are met by his gesturing etc. Not to worry til nearer his 2nd birthday. He does walk/run/climb like a monkey so perhaps has been using all his brain power on that!

chegirl · 15/05/2009 22:00

Thats a very good point wrinklytum

If your DC is developing normally in other ways ie. is interacting with you and others, is giving you eye contact and babbling etc. There should be nothing to worry about.

Language development varies hugely from child to child and your little one is definately in the normal range at the moment.

Original poster

ChezzaB · 16/05/2009 12:07

Thank you all so much you have definately put my mind at rest and I shall now stop worrying about it and concentrate on the things he does well! His hearing was fine at 1yr check I obviously just read far too many books that tell you when things 'should' happen and should maybe just let DS get on with it!! Thanks again much appreciated!

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HensMum · 16/05/2009 12:25

I think DS was pretty much only saying Dada at 13 months too. That's all he said for a long time.

He's just 19 months and has just counted from 2 to 7 as we climbed the stairs!
His vocabularly is huge now and although he hasn't started combining words, I don't think he's far off.

It's amazing how quickly it picks up once they start.

Oh and he's always been slower with gross motor things than other children.

tclanger · 17/05/2009 20:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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