Talk to me about speech in a 20 month old

[CaptainCaveman]

Ds2 is a very happy chappy, but a soul of very few words. His only recognisable word is "mummy" (or memmy as he says it). He clearly understands us and can perform simple tasks like fetch his shoes, 'put it down' or 'give it to daddy' etc' He grunts to indicate he wants something and can usually make his needs understood, so I am not overly worried but it would be helpful to hear of other late speakers?

My son is 22 months and has very few words. Mummy and ball are the ones he says most. He understands very well, is a third child and really doesn't have much of a need to talk. Being able to understand is very important at this age.

As I understand it, it is comprehension that is way more important than speaking at this age. I think as they get to 2 years old, then there might be more concern, but at 20 months old I would say that so long as your DS understands commands then that is fine and he is just at the later end of the normal range for when speech kicks off.

A really good book I found is called Baby Talk by Sally somebody - gives you ideas about how language develops and what you can do to support it.

If you are worried, talk to a sympathetic HV (if you have one!) or your GP.

at 20 months you really don't need to worry. All my DD1 said at that age was mumma and dadda......at around 23 months she suddenly started talking all the time and parroting everything.....she seemed to pick all her words up at once rather than doing it gradually. She has friends the same age as her (24 months) who still barely say anything.

Have a chat with your HV if you're really worried, but he's perfectly normal.

Thanks ladies

I think I pay him less attention than I did ds1 due to life/2nd child/etc so prob just me feeling guilty!