Concerned about my 18 month old daughters development

[Minniemac91]

Hi all,

I just wanted to get some opinions as I am a 32 year old first time mom and feel afraid of discussing this openly for fear of mom shaming from the people in my circle.

My daughter just turned 18 months, and she is a very happy and placid child for the most part. I had to back working part-time when she was just 5 months and now since Christmas I am back in full time work and I also have to commute a long distance to work so unfortunately I see a lot less of her. We couldn't get her into daycare so she is looked after her grandparents (both my parents and his) and a childminder on the weekdays while myself and my partner work.

She started walking properly at 16 months but only recently we realized she does not say any real words. Just lots of babbles and baby jibberish. She shakes her head very seldomly to say no. And she 'hums' full verses of nursery rhymes but not the words - or just any words in general, other than dadada or mamama sometimes but not with any real meaning or recognition. She does respond by mimicking certain gestures but it is seldom that I see that. I'm trying to get her going on Ms Rachel on YouTube and picture books, activities with wordplay etc. but trying to get her grandparents to jump on board with these things can be hard. I don't want to boss them around too much, as obviously I am grateful to them and I know they love her very much, but I do worry that she is not getting the same amount of growth and learning activities as other toddlers her age.

For those of you who have raised toddler girls, do I need to be concerned or is this perfectly normal?

Thanks very much in advance, your responses are all welcome! X

That all sounds fairly typical. Some kids talk early but majority don't. Should be saying some clear words by 2. Does she understand what you ask her?

Hmm babbling and baby ‘gibberish’ is good, but words should be appearing now. Do gps do nursery rhymes or songs with her? Do they read her stories? I would encourage this right now, and possibly also get a check with the GP or health visitor or someone at your local baby clinic if you have one. They may ask for referral to speech therapy or hearing check etc. in the meantime keep up the talking and the rhymes and stories.

That sounds completely normal. Ours is 21m and singing tunefully to nursery rhymes but can’t get the lyrics. Even mama and daddy are interchangeable at the moment!! Ours is 4 days a week full time nursery. In my NCT group they are all so different, some are talking all the time and some aren’t at all. I don’t think you need to worry.

At 18m my DS1 had lots of words, while my DS2 had no real clear words. Both now doing very well at school. I wouldn't start to worry yet OP.

How is her understanding? If you say ‘rabbit’ or ‘doggy’ (for example) will she look for them? Does she seem to recognise any words? Does she point or bring you toys to play with? Is she happy, if you roll a ball will she roll it back? Sorry for a million questions just trying to get a fuller picture.

Yes sorry I don’t think it’s anything to worry about, as probably simple words will start to come in the next few months. But check out and increase her opportunities to hear words and conversation and to join in, and keep an eye on her progress.

I would say that’s within normal but if you have concerns then it may be worth asking your HV. HV can assess how she is doing and also refer for a hearing test in case she has glue ear etc.

Hi OP, at 18 months my DS didn’t say any proper words either, just babbled a bit of nonsense and made whingey noises if he wanted something. He didn’t even call me mama back then! Got to about 22 months and his vocabulary suddenly exploded. He’s 26 months now and loves to talk! I wouldn’t worry too much as long as your DD seems to understand/recognise.

I am trying to ask her some very simple questions to try to get her to verbally respond. 'Do you want milk?' 'Do you want toast?' she looks and puts out her arms to indicate 'yes' but no words

Do gps talk to and read with her and sing nursery rhymes? If they inteercting with her it s fine.
Ask. Chidminder who shoukd have some trainijg or your hv to assess

She doesn't recognise words like rabbit, horse etc unfortunately. I try very hard to show her and teach her as best I can. She is very good with the ball though, she will throw it, kick it, pass it over and back to me and her father. And she is very happy and content and loves to play with her toys. I think it may be the case that she is just a little bit 'dreamy' if that makes sense. I will have a chat with my public health nurse and get her to do an assessment of what she thinks. When she was a smaller baby the nurse always said she was a thriving baby, but it's just lately I notice she is a tad bit slower in terms of development than some of her peers.

You just need to chat with her as you go about your usual day and do stories and rhymes. Do grandparents do nursery rhymes and read her stories? You don't need to push too hard, so diner worry about 'making' her talk - instead sort of talk for her. So when you ask if she wants milk and she reaches for it just say 'you want some milk, here's the milk' etc. Her little brain will be taking it in and absorbing it, and when it's ready there will be a burst and it'll all come together.

Check her hearing and eyesight and have hv. Assess her.
May be nothing. Why should she know rabbnlit if no rabbits in her life? Are you reading books anout rabnit? Take her to a petting zoo or fatm and show her rabbit
But If something get referred to slt. As long wait lists. No harm in following up.

If she can copy gestures sometimes, have you thought about doing any baby sign with her? It's been a godsend in terms of communication for my 17 month old.