23MO won't talk to me

[harimo]

I know he can... He talks to my dad (his grandad, to whom he is quite close, but doesn't see very often)and will talk to my nanny.

Yesterday, when he forgot we were trying to get him to talk, he called my DH (his dad) ' daddy' but ask him to actually say: DADDY and he says MAMA.

In fact, the only things he will say to me are MAMA, NO, OH NO and ALL GONE.

I KNOW he can say far more than this.. I've heard him sing along to songs when he thinks no-one is listening, but he will NOT repeat words and, the more I try, the more frustrated he gets.

His comprehension / understanding is second to none, and his non verbal communication is excellent (this is, perhaps, part of the problem, because for a long time I just did what I knew he wanted - rather than making him tell me...)

Additionally, he has a 9MO sister... who (obviously) communicated non verbally and he sees her getting what she wants.

What do I do to make him talk? And, is it time to get a referal?

TIA

FWIW, his behaviour is excellent... he listens to me, responds to me, will follow my commands (if I ask him to hold my hand, or put his shoes / coat on etc)

it's just me, him and DD for 80%+ of the time...

shameless bump

I wouldn't think you'd need to bring him to see someone just yet.

If you've heard him vocalising ,then at least you know he can.

Couldn't it be a funny little thing related to his having a new sister?
My DD1 completely ignored DS2 until he was about 14 mths old.I was prepared for her to be jealous of him,want to slap him etc but not for the total lack of interest!Now they are total BFs and want to play together all day every day.(LOUDLY).
Try singing to him.Whatever you want to say to him,just put it to the music of his favourite show.Sounds daft but it might work.

I do think it COULD be related to the little one. There is only 13 Months between them, and I am on my own with the two of them...

They (DS and DD) are VERY close. DS plays with her and they interact all the time. So, I do think that could be a factor.

Plus, DS will NOT entertain DD having a bottle if he doesn't have one (which, rightly or wrongly, I've allowed).

THey are now both on two bottles a day (night and morning) but I have let him get away with having milk when she does.

It does worry me though, that he won't repeat simple words to me. Especially, as I KNOW he knows them and he points at things expecting me to say whatever it is... and I get DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH (plus agitated pointing) if I won't say whatever it is he's pointing too...