Is My 9 Month Old Son Normal?

My son was not talking hardly at all at 9 months. Lots of gibberish after one, but still not all that many clear words for a while. By two, he had lots of words and 2-3 word sentences, but still very basic, and really, most of it only I could understand. After his second birthday, he started talking like a big boy, and he hasn't stopped yet.

I wonder if something is bothering him. I would check his hearing and make sure he can hear the sounds to try and mimic. Maybe he has ear infections so he is uncomfortable? Does he eat ok? Maybe reflux? The fact that he is so fussy is what would worry me.

Have you thought about trying sign language with your son? I found it very helpful with my my two kids who were/are both on the slower side for speaking. It helps to cut down on some of the frustrations. He's at a good age to start it.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

I really feel for you, J., as I know how hard it is to have a fussy baby. Mine's only 6 1/2 months, but he has been very high maintenance since day one. Some kids are just fussier than others. I imagine you've explored the routes of what could be upsetting him, but nothing seems to help. Well, rest assured that he will outgrow the need to cry to convey his feelings. I can guarantee you that most 9 month olds are NOT saying even M. or Dada, so I really would not worry about that. Have you thought about using rudimentary sign language to communicate? Some people swear by this, and it's not too hard to learn and use some easy words.

All I can say is, hang in there. It will get better.
Amy K

Don't worry about your son when he is still so young. Most 9 months old DO NOT say any real words! Most kids don't start making any true words until at least their first birthday, and for many kids, it's even later than that. There is a very wide range of when kids talk and comparing your son to others will only frustrate you.

I agree with many of the other posts. I'll add two things that are contradicting. First, follow your gut. If you really are worried, then get it checked out. On the other hand, generally speaking, 9 months is too early to worry about speech. And boys are often slower to develop than girls in this area. I will tell you that my now 5 1/2 yr old son wasn't saying words clearly until about 2 years. He didn't speak much, even mama and dada until after a year. I was and is very laid back and quiet much of the time, and I guess really didn't want to talk. Now, he's perfectly normal, speaks clearly and learns well. I think all kids are different, but like I said, if you are really worried, get it checked out. Also, make sure that he does respond to you when you're talking to him. Does he look at you, interact with you, etc. Good luck!!!

hi~
There is a range of age appropriate development for speech (and other developmental skills). But please do keep an eye on it. A child can have speech only issues (thus they can hit all milestones except speech).

Here is some general info on language development...
6 MONTHS:
* Vocalization with intonation
* Responds to his name
* Responds to human voices without visual cues by turning his head and eyes
* Responds appropriately to friendly and angry tones

BY ONE YEAR
Milestones
• Recognizes name
• Says 2-3 words besides "mama" and "dada"
• Imitates familiar words
• Understands simple instructions
• Recognizes words as symbols for objects: Car - points to garage, cat - meows

Activities to encourage your child's language
• Respond to your child's coos, gurgles, and babbling
• Talk to your child as you care for him or her throughout the day
• Read colorful books to your child every day
• Tell nursery rhymes and sing songs
• Teach your child the names of everyday items and familiar people
• Take your child with you to new places and situations
• Play simple games with your child such as "peek-a-boo" and "pat-a-cake"

I would also add to help decrease tantrums:
1) always talk about everything as you are doing it (e.g. "mommy is taking (X) out of your hand because you can hurt yourself" or ""you have a dirty diaper. it is time to change you. when i count to 3 I am going to lay you down then take off your dirty diaper, clean you and put a new clean diaper on you. 1, 2, 3," )
2) provide warnings prior to moving him/picking him up so he knows what is going to happen
3) if you don’t already have a set routine – set one up so things are predictable for him

Here is additional information on speech and language from the American Speech and Language Association - http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/

I think 9 mos old is way too young to worry about speech (especially with everything else there is to worry about with babies!). Of course you can always find guidelines that say they should be saying this or that, but every baby is so different.

I'd be more worried about the fussiness, there could be something bothering him. Does he eat ok? I've heard that some babies have acid reflux which is hard to figure out and causes a lot of crankiness. Ear infections and teething can also do it, in which case tylenol is always good. Also try to make sure he's sleeping enough, maybe he just needs an extra nap or to go to bed earlier. When my daughter is overtired she cries about everything.

Try not to get too hung up on "normal" or you'll drive yourself crazy. Just love your baby and do what you can to make him happy. There is the possibility that he is just more sensitive than others which makes him cry a lot (I know you don't want to hear that). And its quite possible that this is just a phase that he will grow out of. Good luck!

Babies go throw different things at different times. As far as the talking I think you doctor is right but I have a question: In the past when he cries or has a tantrum, do you immediately come to him or pick him up? Usually in my experience, kiddos that do this are usually picked up quickly when they start to cry so it kinda teaches the kiddo that they don't need to talk because a good cry gets them what they need. Also make sure no one speaks "baby talk" to him. Baby talk just sounds like random noise to a kiddo and does not really teach them to talk. Obviously I don't know what you do in your home but I thought I would throw those out just in case.
Good Luck!
M.
www.justamom.morethanonemoment.com

I don't see any definite warning signs in what you say although it would surely be very frustrating. My twins had no actual words until well after age one, but they were making cooing and gurgling noises frequently before that. However, you should know that if you are really concerned you can self-refer yourself to your local Early Childhood Intervention service and they will determine whether it is appropriate to assess your child (you should be able to find them through your county or school district). If they decide that he should be tested for difficulties they will come to your home and do it for free. If your gut is telling you that something is wrong, you are the mom and you know best, give them a call if only to get some peace of mind. If signing is something you are interested in - my children started watching the "My baby can sign" videos at 6 months and they LOVED them until around 18 months. We only taught them a handful of basic signs for things that they commonly wanted but it did make a difference.

I know there will probably be a lot of "wait and see" advice, but I am not a "wait and see" person. I see too many children in my practice whose parents have waited and waited and now they have a bigger problem on their hands---something that could have been helped so much easier when they are young.

Go to this link and download the Integrative & Developmental Progression Chart. http://architect.wwwcomm.com/Uploads/familyhopecenter/Doc...

If your child isn't hitting these milestones, we can help YOU stimulate their brain growth.

The sooner the better!!

D.
Mom to 8
Neurodevelopmental Specialist
www.parentswithpurpose.com

If he's reaching the other milestones, I'd agree that he sounds normal. Kids develop at different rates and have different personalities. I have 4 kids and they all have different personalities. My oldest son began talking at about 8mo, one of my twin boys starting talking at about 6mo while the other twin didn't speak to about 9 or 10mo (although he did have a secret language with his twin before that).

My baby girl is happy, always smiling and laughing. She started talking around 6mo. She's almost 9mo, close to your son's age. She can say mama, daddy and doggie. Other than that she babble and coos and screams. To help her form words I hold her infront of me and let her watch my mouth as I talk. She tries to copy me. That's how I got her to say mama. A couple minutes here or there for a week or two I would hold her in front of me and say ma-ma over and over. At first she'd mouth the word without sound. Soon, she would be on her own practicing and screaming ma-ma.

Your little one sounds fine, he'll talk soon enough. To help him try letting him watch your mouth a few time a day and he'll begin to copy you. Hope this helps.

Please don't be eager to label you sweet baby with a problem. All babies develop differently. As long as he's hitting major milestones and continuing to thrive, don't worry too much about it. At our 15 month check-up our pedi mentioned that between 18 months and 2 years is when speech really gets going. My son also cries to communicate, but he's also working on learning words and the crying is getting less and less frequent. Good luck!!

Sounds normal to me. When children are first learning to crawl, that will be the most important thing to him because he has control over his exploration.

He also sounds like he does not like to be interrupted for diaper change or whatever (very normal).. You just have to use distraction.. When changing his diaper sing to him, make funny faces, hand him a toy to hold onto or a diaper .. talk to him non stop.

Carry him facing away from you so he can see what is going on in front of him and where you are walking towards instead of over your shoulder so that he is not looking at what he is being taken away from.

Seriously, don't worry about it! Every kid develops on their own different schedule. 9 months old is VERY young to be worried about this.

My personal experience: I have 5 kids. One spoke at 9 months. One didn't speak until he was 2. They are all normal now, no learning disabilities. No speech issues. No reading prolems. The one who didn't speak till he was 2 DID get speech therapy, but it just really encouraged him. He probably would have spoken on his own anyway.

Relax, mama. You are doing just fine. And, if your doctor tells you to be "worried" at one year, you should consider finding another doc. Or at least getting a second opinion.

Hi there I have a son that is now 4 years old and your son sounds quite a lot like mine. He didn't say momma until her was 3 years old! I know all children are different and boys are especially slow to talk than girls but my son has been diagnosed with a mild form of autism. I don't want to scare you but the sooner you know whats wrong (if anything) the sooner you can help. Google autism and see if he has any other traits. You can contact me anytime. ____@____.com I do hope all is okay and I look forward to hearing from you. C. M.

If its really bothering you get a 2nd opinion. My grandson had fluid in his ears from allergies & had to have tubes at 2 yrs old. The same day he got them in he had already verbalized 10 words. He couldn't hear what any one was saying before that. It was like he was under water hearing. Now at 4 he has almost caught up to where he should be! My daughter got the 2nd opinion after much urging her to seek it out. She was of the opinion her Dr was always right. Someone is NOT ALWAYS right...Good Luck!

He will grow out of it. But if he don't take him to the doctor.

I'm pretty sure my twins were not talking at 9 months. If anything, they may have said Da. I would follow your pediatrician's advice. They often have a checklist of milestones that they will ask you at major appointments. You could ask them about what you should be seeing/hearing by the next appointment. My kids were also late walkers (14 months)...so I don't know how much walking and talking go together. Remember, all kids are different and there is usually a range for them to hit their milestones. If they are missing a couple of milestones, then you definitely want to check with your Pedi or ECI professional. Good job for wanting to stay on top of it!

Edit: thinking about it, I believe the Doctor had a checklist at our 18 month appt and it asked if they were speaking around 7-10 words or so. I just mention this just to give you something to go by. I've heard at 2 years they ask about how many "sentences" they are speaking, but sentences could be 2 to 3 work sentences.

Also, take a look at the AAP:
http://www.healthychildren.org/english/ages-stages/baby/p...
This is the 12month link, but there are other stages out there if you search.