Should I be worried about my 13 month old baby's development?

Question

I have a 13 month baby boy and I am concerned. He can say mama, and dada, but thats it. He isnt saying any other words, he can drink from a sippee cup but hasnt grasped having to tip it up to get the juice out, and does not like to eat solid foods. I give him the spoon often to see if he will try to feed himself, but he just chews on the spoon and nothing else. I know I should not be comparing, but I have a friend who has a baby girl of the same age and she is already doing all these things. Should I be worried?

Answer 1

Your son sounds like he is meeting milestones. It is probably that he is far ahead of your friend's baby in other ways.

Get a straw style sippy cup, that can make it easier to transition to a real cup anyway. Using a sippy cup can make kids tip cups too far which doesn't work when there is suddenly no lid.

And give him finger foods -sheesh. Yeah some kids use a spoon at one year, but not all.

http://www.comeunity.com/disability/speech/milestones.html#milestones
12 - 17 months Yes No
Attends to a book or toy for about two minutes. ___ ___
Follows simple directions accompanied by gestures. ___ ___
Answers simple questions nonverbally. ___ ___
Points to objects, pictures, and family members. ___ ___
Says two to three words to label a person or object (pronunciation may not be clear). ___ ___
Tries to imitate simple words. ___ ___

http://www.blankees.com/baby/speech/lan04.htm
12 to 18 months


* babbles - sounds like sentences
* understands simple questions/statements e.g.. "where is your nose?", "give me"
* says words (not clearly)
* nods "yes" and shakes head for "no"
* enjoys rhythm and likes to "dance" to music

warning signs

* does your child not talk at all?
* is your child sociable?

Answer 2

13 Month Old Baby Development

Answer 3

I have 4 boys. Their ages are 12, 10, 7 & 4. They all reached different levels in their lives at different ages. Every child is an indivdual. They all cannot be doing the same things at the same age. Even when they start school, some will read before, or some will be able to write quicker, some, will be able to hop, skip or jump before others. One of my boys did not walk until he was 2. While the others all walked at about 13/15 months.


So really I would not worry. I would just enjoy him while he is small as they really do grow up so quickly. Make the most of it while you can.

Answer 4

Your son seems to be right on track for his age. Its so hard not to compare our children to our friends, i know that personally. Our son has a speech development delay, and i try so hard not to compare him to my friends children.

It took my son until he was about 18 months to get the whole spoon thing down, and even then, he never really liked using it. He always prefered a fork, because all he had to do was poke the food instead of scoop it.

As for the not tiping the sippy cup, that is a little odd, but then again every child develops differently. He may get the hang of it shortly, but i woulndt be too concered about it right now,. You can try giving him a cup with a straw in it if you prefer. My son always did better with a straw.

Saying mama and dada are great for his age! Some children start talking or using words at around 9 months, but honeslt,y the average is 13 months! So, your son seems to be right on track with that!

You are doing a wonderful job. Good luck with your little one!

Answer 5

Your baby is in the normal range in development. It's a good signs that she is crawling/walking. Although you may be over thinking. It's likely that she may follow in your sons developmental habits. Reading to her and talking to her will help her along. If the concern follows until about 17 months you may want to consider talking to her doctor about speech therapy and occupational therapy. Also, TV isn't good for kids anyway! Don't worry about that. Hope I could help!

Answer 6

No, I wouldn't be worried quite yet. Are you feeding him solid foods, and if you are is he eating them when you feed him? Don't give up on trying to get him to drink from a sippee cup. He will get the hang of it eventually. Trust me, every baby develops differently. Just as soon as he gets the hang of something he will start babbling and you won't be able to keep him quiet!! Is he walking yet? Or just cruising around? I have 14 month old twin girls and although one of them just took her first steps the other one is content to cruise around. They say mama, dada, hi, hello and kitty. But that is it. Everyone is telling me that they are behind. I ignore them. Deep down I know they are fine.

Answer 7

Dont worry about him. A lot of kids (especially boys) do not say a lot until nearly 2 years old - then they have "talking explosions". As for solids, my son (who is now 15 months) just started taking solids around 13 months. Everyday I would put shredded cheese and small bits of fruit out...and eventually one day, he did eat it. Be patient, keep trying. All children are different - even doctors do not worry about eating solids until 18 months or so...and besides, I have never heard of a child who couldont go to kindergarten because "he/she couldnt eat" - he will when he is ready. Dont worry.

Answer 8

Don't worry yet. Every child develpes differently. My oldest daughter started walking at 9 months. My youngest was a year old before she started. The oldest was potty trained at 18 months and the youngest is almost three and still doesn't get it. All kids are different and develpe at their own pace. You just have to be patient. If you are really really worried get him checked out by his doctor.

Answer 9

:) Chances are he is just fine. :)

My sister and I have babies the same age - my second is 16 mos, her first is 15.5 mos. They do different things at different stages. He walked months before she did, she's saying way more words. My son loves to use a spoon, my niece has no interest.

No worries...comparing your son to other kids will make you crazy!! :)

Answer 10

No he is fine. All children develop differently. You continue to communicate with him. Not baby talk, speak to him like an adult. Take him out to socialize with family members and he will be o.k.