Concerns about 12 month old

[Alice4417]

Hi all
I have a few concerns about my 12 month old and as a first time mum with anxiety I would like to know if you'd also be concerned of if it's all normal.

My boy turned 12 months a week ago. He can almost walk, I've seen a huge leap in that in the last week alone, you can see he wants to step away but just is building the confidence. Obviously he can crawl, cruise, pull up etc so not concerned there.

He has just started open hand pointing at things (so he is using his index finger more but his other things aren't completely closed if that makes sense ?)
He can clap and wave. He also understands if you tell him to clap he claps and if you tell him to wave to wave goodbye (without showing him the action first ) he knows to look at mummy, daddy, the dog etc so his understanding is okay.

My concerns are that although he is babbling he has know real words with meaning yet and goes through phases of saying a word and then stopping and also phases of babbling lots then being much quieter?
For instance he used to say dog but I haven't heard him say it in a couple of weeks. This worries me massively. At the moment we are in a quieter phase with the occasional 'uh oh' when he drops something and dada although I'm not sure if that's in context. Babbling in-between but not nearly as much as let's say a week ago.
He hates going in his highchair. Although once in is fine. And nappy changing and clothes change is a huge battle with tears.

Does this all sound okay? Have I got my knickers in a twist over nothing ?

Hating clothing and nappy changing is totally age appropriate and normal. As is not walking yet - 18 months is when they start worrying about that (and even then it could just be baby doing it at their own pace). Also totally normal to only have a couple of words. My nephew is 12 months and says dog, duck and Dada. Losing language is a worry, I know. Are you sure he was definitely saying dog and not just playing with his d sounds? And also, are you sure he’s forgotten it or is just that dog is old hat now so not saying it as much?

I think he was saying dog yes as it was in relavance to our dog. He used to say it all the time ! But I have heard sometimes when they master a new word they forget it whilst they learn another ! Who knows x

I would say normal range. Our little one is a bit older (15mo) and has gone through phases with words then won't say then again for a while. Then she will pick a new word to be obsessed with (this week it's "belly"). For neurodevelopmental conditions, what would actually be worrying is a huge backslide eg going from 15 words to zero at all and not getting them back. That's not the case here.

Okay yes that makes sense. I also wonder if he is focusing on the walking side of things at the moment.

I think maybe he's just focusing on learning to walk. I hope so. He's done this before when focusing on something x

Sounds completely normal.
Understanding comes before words as you said and it sounds like he is consolidating a few words already but maybe his brain in now working on others. Hes busy listening to the tone of voices, identifying the different sounds, recognising and building up a mental store of words ( even if he can't say them yet).
Just keep on doing what your doing, talking to him and broad casting / news casting what your doing as you do it. Try not to do too much 'testing' ( what's this, where's that, say this) instead elaborate on what he points to or if he tries to say a word name it and describe it a bit for him. Respond to any bables to give him opportunity to talk/babble back
Your almost definitely doing all the above advise without knowing it!

Thank you for your reply yes I'll definitely do as you suggested!

I really don't think you need to worry - at 12 months DD was barely crawling, and several months off walking. She had no words at all (first word at 14 months). By 3, her speech was advanced (and she was walking!), and she's done very well at school.

I don't understand why you're worried. They're 12 months. Zero words is fine, they're so young. Don't worry even if zero words (and zero walking) for months and months

And you know what, as all these posts are about the terror of having autistic kids - they're fucking great. Mine are clever, funny, affectionate and moral.

Play with them, follow their interests, accept who they are - this is good advice whoever they turn out to be and works v well if by some lucky chance you get blessed with autistic children.

@Alice4417

Your wee boy is perfectly normal & I expect totally gorgeous 🤗

the 'normal ' range is very broad and you've got nothing to be concerned about at all. Total normal to have no words or talk loads, to drop words they once had

to not move at all or look ready for a half marathon!

NONE of it matters. They get there in the end. (Sadly a few don't, but a disability is something any of us can get at any time).

Please try not to worry, he sounds bang on! Enjoy him because it all goes FAR too quickly.

Okay wow that's great to know thank you x

Sounds extremely normal. Hes been on the earth 12 months, sounds like he's doing amazing! Try not to worry as it will all fall into place and before you know it he will be chatting away to you ?

He sounds brilliant! Mine has only really started talking properly at 18 months. Please don't worry, you are both doing great :)

Sounds pretty normal to me and I have one child with a speech delay. My other child had one word before one and over 30 words at 14 months so they catch up pretty quickly. Also starting walking a few weeks after turning 1

Thank you I will try not to worry. I'm a little worried at the moment he doesn't physically show me toys or give me toys (joint interaction) ? X

Thank you I will try not to worry. I'm a little worried at the moment he doesn't physically show me toys or give me toys (joint interaction) ? How old was yours when they started doing that. He does now point tho.

I'm worried about him not showing us things ? When is that expected ? X

I'll caveat to say I'm not an expert but my 2nd child started showing me things around 13 months and giving me things maybe 14 months. Obviously if you are worried, there's nothing wrong with giving your health visitor a call to ease your mind x

Okay thanks x