15 month old Daughter!!?

Question

I'm worried about my daughter-- is she normal?
1. She only really takes a bottle to bed (only water).
2. I took a 3 day vacation with my financee' and since we've been back (almost a month ago)- she's really cranky and I've become a huge magnet...she won't sit with anyone else and she's become really tempermental.
3. My daughter is an only child but I live at home with my parents and two brothers (17 & 19y/o), she will not sit by herself and play or watch tv.
4. She makes all kinds of sounds but the only word that she says is MAMA. A couple of months ago...she went through spirts (dada, then she wouldn't say dada, but would say nana (my mom) Now she wont say anything but MAMA.
5. My sister taught her to "bing heads" now anytime she's mad at me she tries to slam her head into mine.

Please help, I'm trying to be a good mommy, but I'm starting to go crazy. I've read all kinds of literature that says she should be talking 2-3 words, and playing/watching tv independantly

So far thanks for all the help.
I had her in at the end of January for a check up....I've tried to get her into see the dr. for her 15 month check up, but in MI we've had 2 really crappy snow storms both the night before her appointments. She can point to other people's nose, eyes, ears, but only can find her own ears.

She doesn't use a bottle during the day--just a cup. She understands and follows great instructions (i.e take this to Nana, go tell Papa it's dinner time) She also has a cupboard where I keep her snacks (crackers, fruit bowls, cherrios), she is a good eater and loves sharing with others.

Answer 1

you have to sit down with her and talk to her about you having left but that when you leave you will always come back to her

her anger is at the fact that you left her even if it was only a few days

Answer 2

#5 is a big problem, other than that, seems like she's normal. Einstein didn't talk until he was four. I have a three year old daughter, I was anxious too at first, all new mothers are. What does your mom say? What advice has she given you? If she follows instructions well that means she has no hearing problems, and she understands speech... My daughter never took a bottle, she was nursed until after her first birthday, then she took sippy cups and regular drinking cups... I think its fine that she no longer wants a bottle, she's not a newborn anymore, she know that, besides that nipple on the bottle is restricting her intake of liquids.. its too slow...
My daughter started talking at around five months, her first word was mama, but she didn't start walking until she was a little older than one year old, children develop at their own paces, doesn't necessarily mean they are deficient, just means that they are honing one or other skills while the ones that are supposed to be milestones, are put on the back burner.
And no child really wants to watch television alone...
Read to her often and her language skills will improve. As for the not being able to find certain parts on her face, maybe she poked herself in the eye and has become cautious of the dangers of fingers... especially if she has nails that scratch.

Answer 3

That all sounds pretty normal to me. You said she only takes her bottle in bed, but is she eating other things during the day? If she's not, then she should see her pediatrition. It's never, ever a bad idea to take her in if you are concerned. She should be seeing her doctor regularly anyway.

Keep encouraging her to play independantly and creatively. I don't necessarilly think that it's a bad thing that she doesn't want to watch tv. It's not very good for her at this point....but if she absolutely has to, keep it something educational and stimulational like baby einstein or animusic. It is important for babies to learn to keep themselves happy, without being entertained, but make sure she gets plenty of attention too.

The "binging heads" thing sounds like it's become a behavioral problem. That cannot be allowed. That's something that you can work on with her.

I wouldn't worry too much about her talking. Just keep talking to her, and reading aloud to her. Singing to her is also a wonderful way to bond with her and stimulate her mind. Babies mature at their own rates. The books can't give an exact path that every baby will follow. She will talk.

I'm sure you're a wonderful mother. Its important to her that you have confidence in your abilites as a parent. She'll be fine!

Answer 4

As a mother of many I can tell you this she is 15 months old, they go through their little changes. She is fine. Be happy she does not really talk some day she will and you will wish she does not. She is magnetic to you or dad why? Because she can be. She is cranky why? because 15 month kids are. She slams her head why it is a control issue she gets are rise and attention from you. Protect her head during her tantrums when she is done walk away and ignore it, no rise from mom tantrums will end. All kids are different. You are a good mommy already, just showing concern.

Answer 5

None of these things seem to be too out of the norm for a baby of this age. This is a time when she is going through a lot of rapid changes in her growth and development. Not to mention, all babies and toddlers have their own little personalties as well, and sometimes their behavior may seem a little quirky or unusual at times, but more than likely, it's probably pretty normal. All I can say is that if you're genuinely concerned for her, then talk to her pediatrician or get a referral to a specialist just to be on the safe side. I watched my toddler son struggle with certain behavioral issues and other things for almost a year before I finally sought out a professional opinion, and let me tell you what a relief it was to here from a reliable source that he was perfectly normal! If that's what it will take to put your mind at ease, then by all means do it! I only wish I had taken him in sooner. It would have spared us a lot of needless worrying!

Answer 6

Each child develops in their own way at their own time. I know you think that your child isn't learning because she is not showing you with the words yet but she is absorbing. You also might want to have her hearing checked. that is usually the cause for slow word development. it could also be why she is not watching television. So much at this age is the songs.
try interacting with her while she is watching television, with her toys, reading books.
they do go through some separation anxiety but just be consistant and they eventually will adjust.
remember all of these things your talking about and speak with your doctor. good luck and be patient!

Answer 7

My friend has a daughter who became very clingy at that age and I know you'll hate hearing this but it's just a phase.
You need to teach her binging heads is not on. Try time out for 1 min in a chair on her own. Then explain to her mummy did this becuase you cant bing heads anymore it's not nice, but mummy loves you and ask her to apologise.
Also try playing some educational games with her ask her where her mouth and nose etc. are, Counting games, anything that will get her wanting to repeat words that you are saying even get her to help you cook. Ask your 2 brothers to help with this, also get them to watch her for 1/2 an hour then gradually longer till she is used to not having you there. Don't make a fuss of going and saying goodbye, leave while she is in another room don't say bye she will just carry on.
Hope this helps

Answer 8

I think she's fine. She is only becoming more aware of her surroundings, so she goes to you for protection. She only says Mama, because you are her world. No one can take your place at her age. All babies grow (mentally & physically) at their own pace. Don't believe everything you read. If there were something seriously wrong with her (like autism or something like that), she wouldn't say anything at all. As long as she doesn't have a strange staring look on her face & is trying to communicate (even if only by whining)... I'm sure she'll be fine. I'm no doctor, but I am a mom of 3 & have had the same concerns with my first. Good luck! If you truly think something is wrong, it won't hurt to take her to see a specialist. Also... always be aware of who you leave her around. God forbid any abuse... children her age have a hard time communicating when something is bothering them. Especially mental, physical or sexual abuse. Not to say this is happening. Please don't take offense to that.

Answer 9

my daughter is almost 15 months... she also only says a few words... mama dada nana and kokie... which sounds more like koko but hey its a start. does she understand things? like Ill ask my daughter if shes hungry and shell go t the kitchen.. or when I say its bath time shell go to the bath so on and so forth. mine also likes head but ppl. scold her as best you can. tell her no and make sure other ppl follow threw with it as well. my daighter has been done with the bottle for months now so I cant really say much on that. and shes at that age where she will be a magnet. mine is to me. when her papa is around its all him. my daughter wont watch tv, but that can be a good thing. there are more preductive things to do than watch tv. all though its nice to not have her climbing all over ya. but serisouly, do you want her to sit and watch a tv all day?? as far as Im concerned its all normal. all kids have their phases. but i you are really concerned talk to her dct.

Answer 10

dont listen to anyone telling you to take her to a doctor...your child is fine...if she needs treatment for loving her mommy so much..then you need to take her to the doctor. the reason she clings to you after you leaving for a few days is because she loves you and is afraid you will leave again. my daughter is also 15 months and i went through the same thing. she has all the toys and cartoons you could ever dream of but she wants me to hold her all the time because she dont want me leaving her side and wont play or anything. she loves you and i can tell that you are a wonderful mother because of the way your daughter is acting. just concider it a blessing...i know you are going crazy with all this because i am too. but hopefully they will get out of this soon huh.

Answer 11

Take her to the doc.

The attachment thing sounds normal to me. My daughter is 13 months and has just started that.

The word development sounds a little shaky. Most babies that age are babbling their heads off (but not making much sense).

When your daughter tries to bang heads with you, look at her seriously. and firmly say: "No. We do not do that.", and put her down.
Tell your family members to not reinforce that type of activity.

Sounds like your daughter is testing some boundaries, which is a constant thing if she is around a lot of different people every day. Try to get on the same page with your family, to adhere to the same rules of reinforcing positive behavior.