My 18 month does not speak any words clearly? Should I be worried?

Question

Lots of babbling but no words. Not even mama or papa, unless by accident.

Answer 1

As long as your baby is babbling, he/she can probably hear just fine- but it is worth it to have the pediatrician evaluate it to be safe. It is also not unheard of for a child to delay speech. Consider if you are trying to encourage words. Do you ask a question and wait for an answer, or even look like you expect one? Do you do things for the baby so he/she doesn't have to ask? If you do all the talking, baby doesn't have to, and they don't. Try forcing the issue to get simple answers like yes or no. If they are reaching for something, hold it and encourage them to say the name of the object. Ask them what they want, and don't settle for a head shake or grunt. Identify the object and tell them to repeat it. Point things out and identify them. Read a baby book to them, point at the pictures and say the names. Then point and ask the baby what it is. The baby should make an attempt to repeat what you said. It may not be perfectly clear, but that's okay. Practice will perfect the pronunciation, and not all sounds/sound combinations are easily made until they are nearly 4 or 5. L and Y are hard to make for most kids. Just encourage the speaking at every opportunity you can. Force the issue when necessary and don't answer grunts. The baby should catch on fairly quickly that words will be needed.

Answer 2

I think that is very common especially for boys. There are many children often hard to understand and each child is different. But if you are worried it never hurts to ask the doctor they will usually say it is ok or send you for an evaluation either way what does it hurt to ask? If they are saying mama and papa it is probably not by accident they will often say what ever word they know even if it doesn't fit what they are pointing at. Just keep encouraging them and give them the right words. Also I think it is so important to read to them, they will learn new words that way too.

Answer 3

I would not be worried at all. Kids develop at their own levels. For example, my son is 16 months old. He speaks clearly and is well over 30 words. My nephew is 2 and and 3 months and he can't talk well. The difference is my nephew is very active and into sports. He knows all the baseball positions and football positions. My son does not like to do that kind of stuff. He's into things that have numbers and shapes. Kind of weird, but I think that they are growing and learning at their own pace. They are learning what they like, and sticking to it! I read an article that said that those children who don't speak well earlier are better at communicating non-verbally later in life. There's no need to worry, your son is fine! :)

Answer 4

My 19 month old daughter has a vocab of about 30 words. Her cousin who is two months OLDER only speaks 2 words, but has better motor skills. It depends on the child. Its hard to say at this age. I would say, talk to your doc, and maybe a speech therapist would help if they still arent really talking by age 3. One of my friends had to do that with her child. An important thing is to speak to your child normally, no baby talk. Read to your child. Point things out as you do them in normal life. "mommy is making you a snack?" "do you want more juice?" "We are going to go to the store" "mama is putting your shirt on" etc. Good luck! Just keep up the talking yourself, and BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS

Answer 5

Don't be worried! Clear speech will come soon, talk to your baby as much as possible! Be in constant conversation with your child! The more you talk to him/her the faster he/she will learn how to speak and pronounce words. I've red in some parenting book that you have to repeat a word at least 500 times or more before your baby will eventually start to say that word clearly. So keep on talking to your little one!

Answer 6

My sister in law had the same problem with her son her DR recommended speech therapy classes and it has improved his speech hes now 3 and speaks a lot clearer sometimes still babbles.Her Dr also made him have his hearing tested maybe it is time for a check up but if ur doc thinks baby is fine try not to sweat it,Hope this helps a lil

Answer 7

At this age, I wouldn't worry to much about it. Double check with the pediatrician at the next well baby check up.

Make sure that you are speaking to your child clearly. They will mimmick who they spend a lot of time with. Make sure that every syllable that comes out of your mouth, is clear and concise.

I never talked baby talk to any of my children, always speak very clearly to everyone. I have had many wonderful conversations with my children, before they were 2 - and I believe it was because of this.

Answer 8

Maybe you should talk to her doctor! My daughter is 18 months old and she talks pretty well. But all babies are different. What I can tell you though is when I went to her 18 month check-up they asked me if she knew 7-25 words so I assume that an 18 month old should know at least 7! But talk to your doctor!

Answer 9

I would not be worried. But I would see a doctor. My son was diagnosed with speech delay at 23 months. And he had six words or so.

My doctor had me see an audiologist for a hearing test. for my son My son flunked. He had a huge tremendous build up of fluid in his middle ear (behind the ear drum). He had to get a myringotomy (tubes in ears). He also had to get six months of speech therapy.

At 2 and half, he was all ready to rock and roll.

Don't be worried but act accordingly.

Answer 10

If she has not progressed by 24 months, Get a speach program that you can do at home with her, I was walking and talking at 18 months, but every child is different, Use repetative words and always to your child, Especially when your feeding her, Say " drink" " food" " biscuit", Keep always using words she can associate to objects,