2yo can't say letter "L" - is this normal?

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My son (2.4)speaks well and clearly apart from the fact that he can't say the letter L. Usually he replaces it with N (e.g. Gruffano, Charnie and Nona), sometimes W (yewwow). Just wondering if anyone else has experienced similar, if this is normal and at what point I might need to mention it to GP/HV?

DS (nearly 4) still can't say the L very well, he says the W instead. His sister hates it because her name is Ellen (Ewwen). He's started trying to correct it.

My dd was the same, except she would omit it entirely. Clock was cock for example.

kreecher - we have the same with our DS (a couple of weeks shy of 2). My DP is just about mature enough to keep the giggles to himself .

If your DS is 2.4, I really wouldn't worry. my DP had speech therapy because he couldn't say 'L', but he was old enough to remember it now, so it obviously went on much longer in his case. My DS can't say 'st' or 'v' either, or 'th'; these are all very common sounds which are hard for a child to make because a lot of the formation of them is inside the mouth and they can't see to copy. Try making a non-egaggerated 'L' yourself, and you'll see what I mean. Another one my DS can't say is 'j'. Jumper is 'dumper', for example.

I don't know what the actualy cut off point is where they start getting S&L people involved, but I would imagine it's when they're at school; my brother was a very quiet child but it wasn't until he was 4 that it was noticeable enough for him to be referred to a specialist because he had glue ear, and he hardly said anything at all.

same with mine, lots of swapping of th's and ff's too. it's all good now tho.

My poor DD couldn't at that age and her name starts with L. She mostly substitute with N. However she is now 3 and somewhere along the line has developed the ability

It sounds normal in my not very professional opinion. Toddlers are still learning to speak and understanding the different sounds of letters and words is expected at the moment. My dd just 3 finds it difficult with the letter F and will use S instead so fish is sish, and and finger is singer. I went through my whole childhood thinking that chimney was chimley until someone pointed it out when i was in my teens [bluch]

DD is 4 now and has never been able to say L and J. She saw a speech therapist a few months ago who said it is a very common problem, especially if the child has a high top lip (the penalty for having a beautiful rosebud pout!) It's just less effort to say r or w instead of l. She was confident DD would grow out of it, probably once she starts school. I wouldn't worry too much, especially as your DS is only 2.

OK this is weird - DS (2.5) cannot say S and replaces it with L so for example Sophie becomes Lophie etc

I just figured he would get it in time....

Thats interesting ohemgee because my dd has lovely rosebud lips too, a lovely cupids bow top lip

Yup, the curses of beauty I suppose (not knowing myself!). I should probably have also said that the speech therapist recommended over-pronouncing the letters she struggles with and practising with her, but not in such a way as to make a big deal about it i.e praise when she gets it right.

mine can't say 'z' - all really normal

It is normal - L is usually pronounced by 3.6 years according to my SALT information. My dd is 2.9 and can't say L. She also can't elevate her tongue yet to lick her top lip and the two are linked.

That's reassuring to read, overall. My daughter's favourite coyour is yeyow..

my dd couldn't say the letter 'L' until well after 3 - which is unfortunate as she has 3 'L's in her name .....

3.5yo DS has a rosebud pout and still has problems with 'L's. Milk is 'mowk'.

Typical development of the l sound is anywhere between 3 and 6 years so a 2yo who can't say it is probably doing just fine! If you listen carefully there are probably other sounds he can't say clearly either but at 2.4 that's perfectly normal.

Dont worry about it. Ds didnt talk at all,but understood everything. mentioned it to health visitor for referall to speech therapy. fortnight before appt. (2yrs 9mths) started to chatter away. could never sound the L. used W instead till about 4.6. solved the problem by teaching him to say lovely long legged ladies. not very pc i know but it worked.