in October 2023 Babies 🇺🇸

Communication

I keep getting shrugged off by everyone they meets my son but my gut is telling me he needs help. My son only says mama, dada. Sometimes he will try to say dog, uh oh. He can sign more, and points to many things he likes or wants. He babbles a lot and repeats the same sounds mostly when babbling. He screeches loudly as well. He mimics us only sometimes and new things catchy on slowly. There is some pretend play like feeding dolls. He just is now understanding and waving bye bye. He is shy around strangers and doesn’t smile or interact much. Pediatrician gave us a referral to early intervention after much convincing and practically begging from me. Then early intervention said he’s doing fine and they won’t give us a speech language pathologist to work with. I’m lost and frustrated that my son can’t communicate his needs with me. I think he understands way more than he can speak. Sometimes he won’t come to us when we call his name and I have to repeat myself multiple times. He has great eye contact and does okay with parallel play with his older cousin. I guess this is a rant but also wondering if any of you feel this way or are experiencing this? I’m so sad for him and frustrated I can’t get help.

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How old is your son?

@Andrea 18 months old as of 2 days ago.

Oh of course on October 2023 babies group. First baby too? When my son was 12 months I had similar communications concerns because I knew other mommas had babies that had multiple words by then and my son still hadn’t said a single word or even sign. I felt like he was behind, however when he turned 14 months he started picking up words. He’s now above average on words but there is definitely still times he had trouble communicating what he wants. He also ignores us when we call his name half the time when he’s distracted. My pediatrician there is a wide range of normal when it comes it communication between 12 and 36 months. It may be too early to worry too much about it. It’s reassuring that he has a few words already, uses sign language and pointing, and good eye contact. I’m definitely no expert though, just another mom. And I know that a mom’s gut feeling is something worth following. So if you’re really concerned I’d continue advocating for intervention.

My son is 18 months and no words yet. Just a lot of babbles and nonverbal communication. I feel the same way you do (that he’s way behind). I also know all babies are different and he may pick it up really fast. Just hang in there, give him a little more time.

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