Hello Mumsnet,
A Dad here.
My partner really doesn't want to recognise my concerns, so I'm here discreetly. I'm not saying she's in denial, it's just that we're first-timers so I really don't have any context for the situation I want to discuss.
I'm concerned about my boy's development. He's thirteen months now and let me start by saying his physical development has been outstanding. He was walking by eleven months, having essentially skipped crawling (crawled for a few weeks and then just stood up). His motor functions are equally excellent. He can wander round the room endlessly without falling, picking things up (large and small) as he goes, throwing, etc.
Equally, he's very responsive to facial expressions and sounds he enjoys. He'll laugh if I make the correct funny noise. He loves peek-a-boo. Most of all he just wants to walk (almost run, at this point), practically endlessly. Pretty sure he has a future as an athlete.
Now for the less optimistic section. At thirteen months, he certainly isn't talking (he does babble, has done for a while, but that's not the same thing). He doesn't really respond to his name; it seems like the cadence and melody of his name can have an impact, but it isn't consistent and I don't believe that he knows his name. He doesn't seem to comprehend the actions of his toys much (for example; his plastic pop-up animal toy - he finds it fun and interesting but he clearly doesn't know that the animals pop up when you press a button. He just likes when it randomly happens).
If I were to try to read to him all he'd do is struggle until I put him down because he just wants to walk. I talk to him loads but he hasn't done more than the same babbling for quite a while now.
Essentially, his sole desire is, in general, to rocket around (very adeptly), pick up objects, throw or drop them, and investigate furniture/things on the floor/things Mum+Dad hold (phones/TV remote). But he seems (to me) to be lacking in development on a mental level, and doesn't seem interested in the obvious ways we could facilitate that (such as the aforementioned reading).
Am I wrong to be concerned? Is the internet applying too much pressure? Is he fine? Or are my concerns legitimate?
Totally new to parenting and open to all responses. Although please don't be mean because I love him more than anything.
Thank you