I have a one year old baby girl, she turned one on April 4. My concern is that her only word is 'mama' and it seems she calls everything that. She points at things and yells "ma" when she wants someones attention. I am concerned that she may not be saying any words yet. Am I overreacting? I have a 7 year old son and 3 year old son and at the age of one, they knew a couple of words. Are there any mothers out there with advice?
Honey Relax! you are super-overreacting
No every child development is the same way. she just turn one year!!!.
What do you want? she say "mama" do you want her to give you an speech and to start high school too.LOL>
josie
Prevention is key if there is a problem. Every child is different. My first started saying words very late. It is like he waited until he could say them correctly, because when he started talking, he spoke very well. He is 30 now and there was not as much help available back then.
If you are really concerned, take her in for a professional evaluation. You can ask her pediatrician but many of them misdiagnose problems. Go with your gut and call your local childcare resource and referral agency. They should be able to guide you in the right direction. If there are any problems, it is easier to get help before age 3 from a regional center. I fairly certain that all of the services are free. I think that after age 3 the school district is where you need to call and they are a pain.
I hope this helps and good luck,
Diane
I have a three year old and a fifteen month old. My three year old started talking pretty early. She started saying "dada" and 6 mnths and picked up super quick on new words. My 15 month old is different. She didn't say her first word, "mama," until almost a year. However, she is now making up for lost time. She is suddenly using phrases. It's almost like she just skipped single words. It's like she's just been soaking it all in for all this time. I read somewhere when I was pregnant with her that second kids generally (not always, but usually) talk later that first because there older siblings talk for them. This was SO true in my case. I started noticing that my 3 year old was constantly telling me what she thought her sister wanted. I think this was a big reason the the little one started so late. But, as I said she is definately making up now. I wouldn't worry. If you can't help it then take her to the doctor. I'm sure they will tell you it is fine but it will ease your mind.
Chelsea
She's perfectly normal!!! She's way ahead of where my son was (he's now almost 2 1/2). Some kids develop the speech late. I would say if she's still not saying much at 18 months, start asking the doc questions. My son was that way, but he's perfectly fine. Don't worry!
No need to worry about this one. It is perfectly normal for your daughter to be a little slower in her speech developement. My son was 15 months old before he walked, and just about 13 or 14 months before he really started talking. He was saying a few things, but didn't really start taking in language until 14 months. Now my son who is 23 months is going crazy with talking and giberish stuff I wish I could understand. be patient and just enjoy the peace you have with her for now, it won't last forever, especially with two older brothers around her as she grows up.
It is impossible for a 1 year old to have a speech delay, so stop worrying so much! You're definitely jumping the gun on this one - a speech delay won't even be tested for until the child that exhibits EXTREME problems (as in no words at all) by three years old.
All children learn to speak in different ways, and at different times. For instance, my little girl said her first word at 5 1/2 months old, and now at 1 1/2 she uses about 50 words, and in small 2 or 3 word phrases - BUT - she did not even try to walk until she was 16 months old! As a monther of two boys, you know that each of your children developes differently and in their own time. Just because she isn't talking doesnt mean she doesn't know or understand all the normal vocabulary you use on a daily basis - and one day she will surprise you and just start talking. Right now her little brain is working overtime, sucking in vocabulary like a sponge, and storing it in her brain to be used appropriately at another time. She is perfectly normal, and the speech will come in its OWN time. In the mean time, encourage her to speak by taking her around the house, the grocery store, or anywhere else you and pointing at/naming everything you come in contact with. Talk to her like a little person, using normal english sentences and syntax, and she will learn. I promise. So stop worrying!
I agree with the other people, I think it's too early to say there's an issue and all kids develop at different stages. My son is almost 15 months and he doesn't say much. only ball and maybe bye bye sometimes. as far as mama and daddy, he blends them together and just yells it out in hopes that he'll get someones attention LOL. but that's it! i think what's more important is that your daughter seems to understand what is being said to her and is able to respond in some way, whether it's shaking her head yes and no, a smile, a turn of the head, pointing etc. as long as she is communicating her wants and needs in some way and comprehending most of what is said to her, then she is totally fine!
My 15 month old says "daaah" which means anything from duck to "what's that?" He gets out "ma ma ma ma" or "maaah", but that is me just guessing, I think! :) lol On the other hand, when visiting "nana and papa", he'll talk up a storm saying "Milk", "bird", etc...but not at home!
My suggestion is to not worry about it! as others have said, kids develop differently and at their own pace.
I can completely understand the concern though, since I do it myself! :)
Take care.
She's totally normal! Consider yourself lucky. At that age my older son pointed and grunted; my younger son was already babbling up a storm and still hasn't stopped talking! Take care and good luck!
My son was one last month and doesn't even say mama or ANYTHING! I'm not worried cause he walks, plays and is happy. He knows words. If I ask for a kiss, he gives it and so on, but he doesn't talk. Maybe she's focused on other things. I'm sure it's normal!
hey lily,
My daughter only said "sta, sta" at age one. Then two weeks before she turned two she said a whole sentence. So I think that part is just normal. Kids learn at their own pace and as long as she is progressing to other sounds soon, she is learning. Try repeating dadadadada or papapapapa over and over again to see if she starts repeating it. The thing you want to look for is if she shows no signs of wanting to communicate or not wanting to interact with anyone on her own. Does she go to play with your other kids? Or does she play by herself? I you are worried about Autism check this sight out.
http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/1-03/EP12-02.html
My cousin's daughter has a mild case of Autism, but it was diagnosed super early and that helped out a lot.
I hope your concerns are for nothing and that she is just learning at her own pace.
Peace
I wouldn't be concerned. I currently work with children age 24-36 months, previously worked with children under the age of 1 and am a mother of a 7 year old. With a 7 year old and a 3 year old, and with your efforts, your child should be picking up other words, as long as she is hearing them spoken. I tell parents who are concerned about their children's speech at the age of 2, as long as the comprehension and cognitive ability is there, the speech will come in time. On average, a 2 year old has about 50 words in his/her vocabulary, while a 3 year old will have about 2000. As you can see, speech really doesn't go into full speed until after the age of 2. Good Luck!!
Hi lilly,
my name is patricia. Take a deep breathe. Your child is fine. All kids develop at different times. And then when it comes to these new milestones, they don't say she will talk at 12 months and walk too. Its on a scale. When she goes for her well baby check up, does the doctor have any concerns? If not, then there really isn't anything to worry about. She's fine. You can raise the concern to the pediatrician and i'm sure they will put your worries to rest too.
Lots of luck. And when she finally starts talking to boys and running up the cellphone bill you'll wish she was still only a year old and not talking yet. Lol. They grow up so fast and before you know it she will be at that age.
I wouldn't sweat it... as you know, every child is different and because she is the third, she probably doesn't have the same need to speak as your other two did. She has a whole entourage to "wait" on her so why bother!!!! She's got this whole thing already figured out!
Plus, as a teacher with tons of develpment classes under my belt, we were taught that language acquisition can occur in a many different ways. Some kids will speak one word here and there- some kids will speak in short commands- some will mimic everything that comes out of your mouth- and other kids won't say anything until all of a sudden they say, "Mama, can I have some juice please?"
HOWEVER, it is certainly worth asking your doctor about- peace of mind from a health professional is always cause for a good night's sleep!
Kristin
Dear Lilly,
Yes, you are over reacting. I think that it is wonderful that she knows Mama and says ma for an object, that is pretty smart, I would say.
Really, I know how hard it is to wait for the babies to start talking. My 2 1/2 year old gr grandson just started talking more and now says everything. At first when he started talking his voice sounded like an angel voice to me. He did say several words when he was 1 1/2 , but dropped them. We thought that he was on his way to speech, then nothing. They do it in their own way. Their brains are connecting all the time, so never fear. She will be saying "make jello" 100 times soon like my daughter did when she was just starting to talk and we were making Jello together. She said it so much, that I started to count and stopped at 100 . Cute.
Truly, Carolyn N.
My son is 13 months old and says 'mama,' 'dada,' and 'uh-oh.' That's his large vocabulary right now! I say words to him everyday and they will pick up on them and say them when they're ready. I wouldn't worry about it.
My son only said like 4 words until he was like 18 months old... I was totally concerned about it and thinking he might be autistic or something. Now he is 3 and has an UNBELIEVABLE vocabulary. At one yrs old it is more important to focus on comprehension and communication, like if she can "tell" you what she wants by some form of non-verbal communication and if she understands what you say to her. If her comprehension is fine then she is prob just fine - and try not to compare her to other babies - if she bables with the influxtion of "normal" speech, understands simple instructions and is using "one or more word" then she is hitting her milestone. By 18 mos she should have 5-20 words. Good luck and don't stress too much! :)
DUCK! duk-EEE! duk-EEE!!
This was the refrain around my house when my daughter was one year old. She knew how to say ducky and she was going to use it however she could. I was a ducky, my husband was a ducky, the cat was a ducky, her dinner was just ducky thank you very much.
Finally around 11 months she (unreliably) started saying Abba (which is what my husband is called) and yum-yum. Then she whispered cat, which eventually developed into Cat-ee.
Now she is 15 months old. She says mama FINALLY, but that didn't happen until 14 months. She can say moon, balloon, a funny version of bellybutton, bear, NO, me (though sometimes she means you), burrito (because I "wrap her up like a burrito after her bath), milk, monkey, lion, hat, nigh-night, bye-bye, and various other things I'm probably not thinking of now.
She also understands EVERYTHING and can follow instructions really well. She might not be able to say washcloth, but if I've misplaced one and am looking for it and talking to myself, she'll find it and give it to me. Anyway, the point is, I was freaked out, too! Your daughter is going to surpass your expectations within a few months, enjoy the days before she learns no!
I wouldn't worry, each child is going to start talking at different ages. I have a 18 month old who only says about 6 words consistently, but the doctor still said that he falls within the normal perimeters. Your daughter will start saying more and more each week, just remember to talk to her a lot so she can pick up on the words. If you are still really worried, you can always talk to your baby's doctor to put your mind at ease.