When did your kids start to talk? Do late bloomers run in families?

Question

My son will be 18 months in a few weeks, and still does not talk. He babbles in "baby talk" almost constantly, but does not have a specific word for objects yet. I read to him mulitple times every day, spend a lot of time talking with him and explaining things and repeating names to him, is there anything else I can try? My husband was apparently a late talker, nearly two when he started talking, so can this be inherited? According to my mom I was talking by 8 months though, so it's definitly not from my side. I'll be sure to bring this up at his 18 month well being check up, but I was curious of other's experiences. Thanks.

He doesn't have hearing problems as he understands commands very well, ex. "Put your book away."

He doesn't have any health problems that we know of, and judy, you may be right. All he has to do is make a peep and point to what he wants and I rush to get it for him. Perhaps I spoil him too much?

Yes Sarah, he's our first born.

Answer 1

Your son is perfectly normal, and you are doing everything right! Boys normally start talking later than female children, because what do females do most? Talk. I have had six children, all my boys (three of my children) started babbling around a year to 16 months, but did not actually start talking until 2- 2 1/2. My girls (the other three) started babbling around 6-8 months and was talking between 8-12 months. So I would say he is right on track. As for the genetics thing, I am not too sure on that, could be, anything is possible, but I would say it just has more to do with his individual speed of development and the fact that boys just do not usually speak until later. Do not worry Mommy, your son is doing a great job, and you are too.

Answer 2

I am having the same problems with my 18 mo old. Like yours he understands commands. My son is the 3rd and my doctor told me that as long as there is someone constantly doing for him he doesn't feel the need to communicate with words. He also said not to rush it or get concerned because the timelines are only timelines. Babies do things at all different times. He did tell me that it is not inherited. Some babies just talk later than others. I am not sure if you have noticed with your son, but mine is extremely active investigating everything. My dr. told me that sometimes if a baby is more active investigating and learning sometimes he will talk later. He did tell me that doesn't make him a late bloomer. Sometimes babies just focus on one area of development. My first son was a big talker and developed later with other things. Every child is different. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

Give him time. My son is 2 1/2 and didn't say a complete sentence untill after he turned 2, which worried me. But he also knew basic shapes, all his colors, and how to count to ten by the time he turned 2. About a month in a half ago, all the sudden he was using 3 and 4 word sentances! I worried for nothing.
All babies are on different time tables. What's right for one child might not be right for another. When a child finds intrest in something, they usually spend alot of time and energy perfecting that, and not so much on the latter. Your little boy probably just knows that he can get his needs met using the language he used too. I bet there's something he is excelled at that you didn't tell us about : ) Unless he's behind schedule on other things as well, then don't worry about it...he'll be talking up a storm in no time!!

Answer 4

My 1st daughter had a list of over 50 words buy 18 months so, like you, when my son was 18 months and said 2 words...I was very worried. He too babbled constantly but never made a specific sound for any specific thing. We tested his hearing ( as much as he would co-operate for) and it was fine. He also understood basic commands, "bedtime, bathtime" etc. He is classified as having a speech delay. He has since been going to our local Child Development Center and has just bloomed. He is 3 and a half now and goes to the CDC preschool 2 mornings a week. He speaks in 5-7 word sentences and is finally potty trained! I know 3 and a half seems old but with the language barrier it was very hard to explain to him what we expected of him.

I would say the best advice is to just stay on top of it. Take him to your family physician and see what he/she recommends. Maybe he needs a speech therapist or maybe he just needs a little more time. Maybe they could just give you information and strategies for speaking to your son to encourage him to vocalize more to you. They may also suggest using a few simple signs ( sign language) to get him to start communicating.
Best of Luck!

Answer 5

I had a nephew who didn't talk for 3 years because his parents got him whatever he wanted when he would reach and grunt for it. When he did start talking, it was non-stop!!
Both of my boys were saying a few words by 18 months and maybe stringing a couple of words together. I think the fact that your baby is babbling in 'babytalk' constantly is a really good sign!! Also, if he's the first baby, they tend to reach milestones a little more sluggishly because they don't have the dynamic of an older sibling to imitate. My second baby (who's now nearly 2) is a complete daredevil (I get a new grey hair every day from this kid, I swear!) because he wants to be able to do EVERYTHING his older brother does...jump off the couch, climb on top of anything that looks climbable..etc.
From another mom's point of view, everything sounds fine!Best of luck!

Answer 6

I have 17 month old twins. My son says things quickly, in Oklahoma slang like: 'whosat?' and whassat?, etc. but my daughter doesn't say much other than baby talk. Some kids just choose not to talk, and I've heard that such things do run in families. I was an early talker myself, but like you my husband wasn't. Don't worry, I'll bet that with the encouragement that you're giving him, he'll be talking well in a couple of months. All kids are different, if your doctor isn't concerned then I wouldn't be either.

Answer 7

My son is 19 months old and he says a few things. He has just started though. He says things like "Whats That" and "Look at that" and sometimes he'll say daddy and mommy and oddly enough scarecrow... but even those arent really clear. At his 18 month chek up the doctor had his hearing tested and it came back good so she suggested doing what you are doing. Im pretty sure your son will surprise you one day by saying something you can understand and you'll be so excited!!!! and he'll be trilled that you are so excited and he'll say it over and over again to get that same reaction. Just keep doing what you are doing and be patient. Take care.

Answer 8

So you were talking by 8 months. You can't expect your child to be a carbon copy of you. Or a carbon copy of his father because he is a totally different person from either one of you. He will talk when it is time for HIM to talk. My daughter started full sentences by the time she was 2 years old, but that doesn't mean every other child on the planet did. My daughter was able to recognize an item and give me the name of that item by the time she was 14 months. But I wouldn't expcect any other child of min (if I had more) to do the same. She was (and still is) an individual and progressed at her own pace. So will your son.

Answer 9

My oldest son said his first word "mama" at 6 months old. He didn't talk again till he was a little over 2. When he finally started talking, it was full sentences and non stop. As long as you have made sure there is nothing medically wrong, don't stress. Once he does start talking, you will be longing for the good old days.

Answer 10

To tell you the truth, my son just started talking this year and he is 2 of course he had hearing problems but i think that he just was not ready it is not a genetic thing, he will just talk when he is ready. The way we got my son to talk is by sitting him down in front of the same movie everyday and he started to pick up little words and then sentences, people say television is bad fro your children, but it has helped my son. Good luck!