WDYT? Baby development

[snickers4everyone]

I know babies all develop at different rates, so I'm probably worrying over nothing, but thought I'd ask you guys.
Nicky has stayed very...babyish? Does that make sense? He's about 15 months now. He's been walking since the weekend after thanksgiving (so for 3 months), but is still in that unsteady phase even though he walks constantly.
He isn't talking much, and what he does say doesn't sound like what the word actually is. It may have the right number of syllables, but nothing else is "right." Or maybe he gets one sound right and the rest are wrong. For example, "boo" becomes "ba", "no" becomes "nah". "Thank you" is the longest thing he tries to say so it's a good example...he says two syllables together after you give him something. They are jumbled and mushy, and never sound the same as previous times he's tried to say it.
I know the talking thing doesn't sound all that weird from me typing it. You kind of have to hear it. He's just so much more "delayed" in his development than any kid I've dealt with at this age (not just his sister).
Would you be worried at all at this point or chalk it up to him going at his own pace? If it was just the talking I'd probably have an easier time not worrying. I'm going to bring it up at his next check up, which is in about a week and a half, but thought J12 might have some insight.

[cookiesandwine]

I always liked to use this a reference. www.cdc.gov/NCBDDD/actearly/milestones/index.html

[snickers4everyone]

That's a great resource. Thanks!

[mommymadness]

I think it sound perfectly normal for 15 months old. I would say talking clearly at that age would be way more uncommon.

[bliz1712]

I've also heard of 2nd children talking later because the older kids talk for them. Could that be the case? Or just in general, everyone speaks for him versus him needing to speak for himself or learn to say the words. I can see Hanna rushing to say the word right away instead of letting Eliza do it when it comes time for us.

[stegasaurus]

I think it sounds fairly normal for 15 months. Definitely ask at the check up, but I bet they will say it is fine and just wait and see. In the meantime, keep modeling correct pronunciations and simple phrases for him.

When I try to compare DD to my oldest it is very hard. I have a difficult time remembering how she pronounced things at H's age and how she did things. Sometimes when I think H is very behind I pull out videos of A and remind myself that she really is doing okay! But I also try to keep in mind that all kids learn and master skills at different rates.

[snickers4everyone]

Thanks ladies. It doesn't help that Em was very verbal and speaking simple sentences by now. And to be completely honest, My mom is the one who got me worried. She keeps telling me to make sure I talk to the pedi about him. It makes it hard for me to stop and think logically.

[starfishy]

I don't know if it's true or not but girls definitely seem to always be more advanced in this area. I remember Tommy turning one and hardly saying anything and a girl 3 month younger than him talking in sentences.

[irish1213]

Totally sounds normal to me. Jack didn't start really speaking until 18 months and then didn't explode until 2 years. There is a boy at Jack's sitter that will be 2 in May and is not a fluid walker and doesn't talk very much at all.

[snickers4everyone]

Feb 18, 2015 15:48:58 GMT -5 bliz1712 said:

I've also heard of 2nd children talking later because the older kids talk for them. Could that be the case? Or just in general, everyone speaks for him versus him needing to speak for himself or learn to say the words. I can see Hanna rushing to say the word right away instead of letting Eliza do it when it comes time for us.

I would say it's possible. Em will "translate" his babbles a lot, usually correctly. And he's always seemed to want to do things in his own way and time. So maybe that's all it is.