I have a DD who’s 16 months old. When I was 3 months postpartum, I found out I was pregnant again. I had horrible PND and I also had terrible pelvic girdle pain which I had physio for during my second pregnancy. I could barely walk across the road to the shops it was so bad.
I then had DS full term in April but he spent 6 weeks in NICU. In July I was told that he has a rare genetic condition. Since he was discharged from hospital we’ve had weekly appointments which have calmed down a bit but DS has weekly physio and OT. I’ve had PND again which I’m now on medication but a lot has happened in the last year and a half.
Here is my question/issue. DD doesn’t really speak much as in, she doesn’t say real words such as ‘mama, dada’ etc. I stayed inside so much when I was pregnant with DS, I’d let her watch TV from as soon as she woke up until bedtime. I only took her to a few baby groups but not much so she’s never socialised with kids of her own age.
I’ve now finally started to take her to toddler groups twice a week so she get’s to play around and just be a toddler really. I’m also hoping that she picks up a few words along the way. Both my mum and MIL have said that they’re concerned about DD as she doesn’t speak much. Apparently we were all saying words at her age such as ‘mama’ and ‘come’ and would point at things they want etc. DD will say things like ‘babababa’ and just little baby words but nothing more.
Should I be worried here? I didn’t think 16 months old have much to say but my mum keeps banging on about it to the point where my anxiety is getting so much worse. I’m now thinking is there something wrong with my child. Can I ask when your child started to say a few words or if you have a 16 month old, how many words do they say? What can I do to help her?
Sorry if this is jumbled, I know I’ve failed her so far but I’m actually starting to stress about this. Thank you
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Should I be worried?
DoubleBuggyDriver · 29/09/2022 20:01
DoubleBuggyDriver · 29/09/2022 22:35
Thank you again for all the comments.
DD will respond to her name and follow you if that’s what you’re asking. She loves playing with her toys and is very interested in them. She doesn’t ever point to anything but now that I think about it, she’s never been promoted too. I had PND so badly that I was literally struggling to survive day to day. I’ve probably read a book to her less than 20 times in her whole life, it’s so awful.
So when people are saying does she point to a cat if you say ‘where’s the cat’ when reading a book, she doesn’t even get asked that as I’ve never really read to her. It’s only in the last month since I’ve been on antidepressants do I actually have the energy to be a proper parent and do what’s right, that’s why I feel as if I’ve failed her.
I have storybooks but don’t have books that have clear pictures which focuses on what something is such as an apple, bus, car etc. I’ll definitely focus on that from now on. There’s so much to do with both kids and I’m really struggling to keep my head above water. Thank you for the kind and helpful comments
MolliciousIntent · 29/09/2022 21:01
To be honest, that's more concerning than the lack of words - have you spoken to the HV?
DoubleBuggyDriver · 29/09/2022 20:16
If you ask her to bring you her shoes or pass me the red plate, she won’t understand. Even if I point at the item, she won’t turn to look at what I’m pointing at, if that makes sense.
However if you call her name or tell her to come, she’ll hear you and come to find you/walk in your direction. How do you encourage them to understand more at this age?
MolliciousIntent · 29/09/2022 20:09
At that age my DD had 4 words. By 20m she was speaking in full sentences.
The most important thing at 16m isn't speech, it's understanding and hearing. If you say "bring me your shoes" or "pass me the red plate" does she understand? If you say her name behind her back, does she hear you, does she react?
If you say yes to both of those, she's fine.
DoubleBuggyDriver · 29/09/2022 20:16
If you ask her to bring you her shoes or pass me the red plate, she won’t understand. Even if I point at the item, she won’t turn to look at what I’m pointing at, if that makes sense.
However if you call her name or tell her to come, she’ll hear you and come to find you/walk in your direction. How do you encourage them to understand more at this age?
MolliciousIntent · 29/09/2022 20:09
At that age my DD had 4 words. By 20m she was speaking in full sentences.
The most important thing at 16m isn't speech, it's understanding and hearing. If you say "bring me your shoes" or "pass me the red plate" does she understand? If you say her name behind her back, does she hear you, does she react?
If you say yes to both of those, she's fine.
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MolliciousIntent · 29/09/2022 20:09
At that age my DD had 4 words. By 20m she was speaking in full sentences.
The most important thing at 16m isn't speech, it's understanding and hearing. If you say "bring me your shoes" or "pass me the red plate" does she understand? If you say her name behind her back, does she hear you, does she react?
If you say yes to both of those, she's fine.
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