My 9 Month Old Daughter's Babbling

Updated on April 01, 2008
A.H. asks from New York, NY
47 answers

my daughter recently had her 9 month check up with her doctor. i mentioned to her doctor that i was concerned about my daughters babbling. she babbles rather frequently and often exuberantly with lots of "ahhhh"s and varying screams. what concerns me is that she has very few consonant sounds. the few she has will be around sparsely for a day or two and then they disappear. the "milestone" that i am familiar with says that by this age she should not only be making consonant/vowel combinations, but also chaining them together like "ba ba ba" and this has never happened. her doctor said that she was not concerned at this time, but i don't understand why when the milestone for this to happen is between 6 - 8 months. i do understand that babies develop differently, but if you are google obsessed, like i am, there are pages that will tell you that if you don't hear "ba ba ba' by 9 months it could be an indication of a communication disorder. her hearing has been tested and is fine and she is right on time with all other milestones and even at the beginning of the curve for gross motor (she is already trying to walk). at any rate, i would enjoy hearing from people who have experience with this subject, not only for me to know that there are other babies out there who's development is similar to my daughters, but also what the outcomes have been as far as speech development. the prospect of a speech delay doesn't scare me too much but i am quite nervous about the prospect of apraxia of speech as i have no idea with the prognosis of such a thing is. thank you for your time.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.K.

answers from Boston on

For the first three years of my extremely verbal son's life on and off (at the airport by a speech therapist in the waiting area, at daycare where another child was getting services...) I was told things like "you should get him evaluated" or "that kid would qualify for services". I always felt a little bad for not getting right on it, but each time he would end up hitting the mark before I could get around to really looking into services. So every language thing came late, but when he'd hit it, boy would he hit it. Aside from only aaahhs when there should have been ba ba da da etc. he was alert, attentive, social - that is 'normal' in every way.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.K.

answers from Lewiston on

Hi A.,
All I can offer is my own experience. I have a son, now 16, that didn't didn't talk clearly until well after three years of age. We used to say his mind was working faster than his mouth could keep up! He is now a high honor student and planning on studying engineering. Each child is so different. Try to relax and enjoy her right now. :)
L.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.C.

answers from Boston on

I work in Early Intervention...you could refer her for a screening if you want. Sometimes kids just work on gross motor for a while first and are so focused on that, that the language takes a backseat. Once she's mastered walking, her language may explode. But good for you for being on top of it! =)

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.L.

answers from Boston on

Hi A.,

Wow! A month ago, I wrote nearly an identical email to a friend of mine. My son was getting ready to go in for his 9 month appointment and I had the exact same concern. A lot of vowel sounds coming from him but no noticeable consonant combinations. Also like your daughter, my son took his first independent steps right around that time too.

I ended up talking to my pediatrician about it and was told not to worry too much about it. That it's good to be cognizant but not to drive myself crazy. Well 24 hours after that appointment -- as if my son was listening and saying 'oh, so THAT's what you want me to do??' -- he started babbling like crazy. Mama, byebye, baba, nana. All sorts of things that made me very happy to hear!

So please don't worry too much. I do think that my little guy was spending all of his mental and physical energy learning to walk. As soon as he took those first steps, it was as if he could go learn something else. I think it sounds like our kids just decided to do things in a non-typical order!

Best of luck to you!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.H.

answers from Hartford on

Recently I read some research that talked about milestones and how babies hit them differently. The jist of the article basically said that often if your baby isn't developing in one area, it may be because the brain and body resources are being focused on a different type of development. For example, your daughter is starting to walk and is ahead, as you say, with gross motor, so right now, perhaps the talking is taking a back seat to that. Personally, my son was babbling with about 5 different consonant/vowel combinations at 9 months, but several weeks after that, when he really began pulling up a lot and doing more walking/cruising, I noticed that we heard almost no consanants and he had reverted more to the babbles and growls that he had done at a much younger age. Now, at 10.5 months, with the gross motor actions a little more in hand, the consonant/vowel blends are coming back with more frequency. Bottom line: I wouldn't worry about it yet. Give it a little time and see what happens.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.P.

answers from Portland on

As an Early Childhood Educator, I am familiar with speech and language development. Children do develop at their own pace. Many who miss "milestone" markers hit them later. Even if she had a language delay, you wouldn't know until she was atleast two and a half, which could then be fixed with speech/language therapy. For your child, she may just prefer the sounds of vowels over consonants. Try this next time you're alone in the shower: oooo's and aaaa's. It can be quite fun and sounds silly!

You might make good on that promise to stop looking at internet medical sites. The problem is that half of the information refutes another half information. One could prove or disprove almost anything. Its like watching Discovery Health when one is nine months pregnant-too many of those shows could scare a woman into induced labor! If you're going to use the internet to look up health information, it might be best to research and find out two health sites that are from trustworthy sources. Leave everything else alone.

Worry understood!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.M.

answers from Boston on

whoa...chill! if she's developing normally in every other way then I don't think you have reason to worry. The doctor said she was fine. He knows her, and can give a better answer than google regarding your child's concerns.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.

answers from Boston on

Take a deep breath, and stop trying to diagnose your daughter! She sounds like she is doing just fine! When you google, does it tell you that babies are good at mastering one task at a time? Sounds like she is mastering her gross motor skills right now, and I bet when she has started walking, or at least cruising, you will start to hear those ba-ba-ba's.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.K.

answers from Springfield on

Babies tend to focus on one skill at a time so if she's trying to walk once she has that down she will probably start talking more. My first son talked first and then walked but my second son has mastered walking and is turning one tomorrow and within the last few weeks has been coming out with words out of no where. So try not to worry too much I know its hard when you're in full mommy mode all you do is worry but try not too if the doctor isnt concerned you should try and relax a little. You can try baby sign language with her baby einstein makes a dvd baby sign language actually helps speech and helps to break that frustration of not being able to communicate. Also keep repeating the aahhhss and other noises she makes back to her to encourage her.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.F.

answers from Providence on

i wouldn't worry about her babbling if she's tested well in hearing and other tests. kids can only grow in one direction at a time, and that applies to the mind as well. if she's trying to walk, then she's busy trying to walk, and focused on that. after she gets that down, i would encourage her to get more sounds out by talking to her ALOT, and introducing her to words by pointing to pictures in books and saying the name of the animal or object. my son is a little behind on speaking too, but i know he hears me and understands everything i say. he's motorskill smarts, and is just too busy to bother learning to speak. my husband is deployed too, and when he was home on leave, our son started spouting out whole words he never used before. when he went back overseas, the words slowed down again. you just need to find something to trigger her interest. good luck, hope this helps.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.Q.

answers from Boston on

I would not worry at this time as your daughter's pediatrician said. You are obsessing as I have done in the past. But you are only going to make yourself crazy and sleep deprived as well!
I honestly never would have noticed if my son was or wasn't making consonant/vowel combinations at 9 mos or even older. I would be worried however if your daughter did not babble and was more quiet than anything. My son is now 15 months and doing well. Says more works and even 2 words together than most tots his age. I would stop obsessing over google and what not because you are going to get mis-leading messages. If you are still concerned tell your pedi and insist on seeing a speech specialist!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.O.

answers from Boston on

I think as long as she is babbling that's all that really matters at this point. If she wasn't making any noise I'd be concerned.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.W.

answers from Boston on

Maddie, my second daughter (of four) was like that. She did all the physical things early- walked at 9 months, was even 'surfing' the back of the couch before 11 months. We called her 'Houdini' because she could get out of anything we put her in, regardless of its so-called safety features. The child kicked through the sides of two playpens. BUT... she couldn't talk. Not for the longest time.

Her older sister strung sentences together before a year, so I was worried. The dr. said that they all have their own timeline and that some children are so focused on the physical, that the verbal just doesn't develop as quickly. When I thought about it, It occurred to me that while our oldest talked early, she didn't walk until 15 months (pretty late.)

When Maddie finally started talking she had a lot of speech issues initially and would get frustrated, because she really had a lot to say. We started her in pre-school at 3, where she got speech (didn't qualify for it through testing, but we pushed, and it was good that we did.)

She is 12 now and while she still has an almost imperceptible speech impediment, and some reading issues, Maddie manages to make highest honors (straight As) in 6th grade. She's a hard worker and GREAT communicator. Very sensitive and empathetic, in fact, she wants to be a minister when she grows up.

The early years were trying and worrisome, especially when her frustration caused her to act out (a lot) as a toddler. We got through it, though, and I believe it all helped to form Maddie into the wonderful, thoughtful young lady she's turning out t o be. I hope my story gives you hope for your little one!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.K.

answers from New York on

Hi A..Just to put your mind at rest. Although it is hard to remember 16 years ago but the one thing I won't forget is how ridiculous my daughter used to sound at that age. She would even end her babbling with punctuation as if asking a question or making a statement and then look at me to answer her. She did not speak her first full word until the first Mother's Day after her 2nd birthday when she actually called for me "mom".Her sister who is 360 days younger however, began speaking in almost full sentences some time right after that, meaning she was a full year ahead of her older sibling. Not to worry,though, my daughter graduated first in her Grade school class and as a sophomore at a highly competitive private school is ranked within the top 10% of the class.
All children can learn,they just do it differently. Be thankful for the noise...she could be silent and that is the red flag to look for.

P.H.

answers from Boston on

You need to stand back a little and not think she needs to on every milestone chart. My son was severely speech delayed..but he did say mostly 'Ba Ba Ba' (we so wanted to know what he meant by it) so here he was not speaking more than 5 words near 3, but could say 'Ba Ba'.
Maybe you could start singing her the sounds you think she is not using and make it a fun sing along for her? they normally do not even test for speech issues until near two..but I think you just need to let her develop on her on and take the charts with a small grain of salt.
My son was a preemie and most of the magazines with charts just made em cry as he never developed per any chart there was!
Let he be herself and not worry unless you see things are really an issue and not just compared tiny delays.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.C.

answers from Boston on

Another option that is available is to contact your local early intervention group (there are various groups located throughout the state that service different towns). They can provide a free evaluation and provided services if they feel your daughter needs it. As a intergrated preschool teacher I work with a large number of speech delayed children and have seen how early intervention can help. With all that being said I don't know that you should be worried about it yet. You might want to give her a few more months and then see where she's at. I know my daughter was late on all of her gross motor milestone's. She's mastered them all but just on her own time table.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.H.

answers from Boston on

Hi A.,
Sounds like you've received lots of advice. One other piece to think about... You said your daughter was starting to walk? It is very important to keep in mind that while the books/Google have charts of development across areas, children are really only able to focus and master one major milestone at a time. When the motor stuff is happening, it is very likely that language is not her focus. See what happens after she has mastered this skill, which will likely enhance her language once she is exploring on her own!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.D.

answers from Portland on

First you have to stop googling every little thing. The internet is great but it can cause unnecessary worry and stress.
Like you said every baby is different. If you brought the issue up to your dr and she is not overly concerned than just let it go. I dont thing my daughter was even babbling until after a year and now at 3 she never stops talking. My brother didnt talk until he was 3. He just took his sweet time, At the same time he started talking he also began reading (at 3!!!) Maybe at nap time you can do something for you (reading, friends, exercise etc) Its easy to fall into patterns of incessant worrying and it will just drive you crazy.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.K.

answers from Burlington on

A.,
My youngest daughter is doing the same thing right now. She is just over 1 year old, however, she was extremely premature and her adjusted age is around 9 months. We see an occupational therapist every month due to her extreme prematurity. My little Layla doesn't make any consonate/vowel combinations either. Actually she barely makes noise other than blowing bubbles or other strange noises. I have brought this up at numerous times with the Occupational Therapist (OT) and she is not concerned because Layla is mostly on track in her other areas. I say mostly because she does have a few delays, though we are pretty sure they have to do with her size. She is only 11 lbs despite a high calorie diet ~ I guess she's like me since she just can't seem to gain weight. The OT has told me numerous times that some children just don't verbalize themselves as much. If you are in a more quiet home, then often (not always) your children also have more of a quiet demeanor.

Basically she told me not to worry about the linguistic delays (she is just know starting to laugh, and most babies begin much younger). Ironically Layla is ahead in other areas ~ similar to your daughter she is trying to walk and she is extremely skilled with her hands. Since I have an older daughter who was extremely advanced linguistically (we woke up to her babbling "da da da da da da" by the time she was 4 mo old, she would mimick the cat and say "meow" by 6 mo old and "ma ma ma ma" by 7 mo old. Her first word was at 8 mo old. Katarina (my older daughter) was very advanced and still is linguistically and I have to remember that when assessing Layla.

Since it is your first child it is all the harder not to worry, but try not to worry ~ having carefree fun with your daughter is one of the best ways to help her develop her lingistics. Our OT suggested we just try to read to Layla and do family activities to try to encourage her verbal skills. She told us to have Layla facing us when we spoke to her, and to tell her what we are doing and explain things to her as we do them ("Mommy is washing dishes. See all the dirty dishes. The dirty dishes get rinsed, then Mommy washes them. Then Mommy has to dry the dishes. Mommy is putting away a plate... etc")

It is also very important to remind yourself that all children do develop differently. There are some children that do not speak until they are about 3 but they start talking with a vengence ~ in full sentences. Remember to use what you see online as a guide, and only a guide. No guide is written specifically for your daughter or your family. Guides are to help identify if there is a serious problem.

There are a few simple ways to check her ability to hear at home. See how she responds to sounds (have your husband go behind her and make a loud noise and you watch her reaction from the front). If it seems she is not responding to sounds, then you should explain what you have noticed to her Dr and ask him to refer her for a hearing test.

You can also see if she recognizes her name. If you call her name and she looks at you (do in a variety of ways so you know it is her name and not just you talking) then it means she is able to recognize her name.

In my situation my youngest daughter is analyzed at every angle due to her extreme prematurity (she spent 4.5 mo in the NICU, and still came home very ill). Sometimes all this analyzing is difficult to deal with (especially since I have to bring my older daughter with me to these appointments). Dr.'s are perplexed because by every account my daughter should not have survived. (We had a very complicated pregnancy situation). Even with all of the Dr's watching her every little growth or development I have found a few things they've either missed or gone overboard with. I have now scaled back how much the Dr's get their hands on her and work on spending more time with her. I did bring up to them that how could she possibly develop normally if every single day of the week we had 2 or more Dr's appts? They did understand my point there.

Since you are at home with your daughter, you have the opportunity to know all of what she is doing and to be able to adjust some of her activities likewise. Try using some musical toys with her and try babbling with her. I have been keeping Layla in the same room that I am in while I do my tasks (I have "baby stations" set up around our home ~ the play yard area, a bouncy seat, the high chair, an exersaucer etc). I make an effort to talk to Layla while I do my housework. My older child tries to help too. She likes to talk to Layla, and since her vocabulary is so advanced it could be a big help to her.

For me the hardest thing has been to be careful not to compare Layla to other children. She is growing and developing at her own pace and doing her own unique skills. As long as she is at a developmental norm by the age of 8 then I am not going to worry (most children "equalize" around the age of 5 years old, preemies however take a bit longer till closer to 8 years of age).

If you need to talk, please feel free to contact me.

Try not to worry or over analyze. I'm sure things will work out for the best!

Hope you are well!
A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.W.

answers from Boston on

Both of my children (now 2 and nearly 4) have speech delays. With my first child I had to keep pushing the pediatrician because I was worried his speech wasn't developing properly. Trust your instincts and do what you feel is best for your family. If you are worried about something such as speech you can have Easter Seals do an evalutaion on your daughter. If the team feels that she needs services she will get them through Easter Seals at no charge until she turns 3 or until she no longer needs them, which ever comes first.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.S.

answers from New London on

A. you are so scaring yourself! Your daughter sounds so happy, Give her some time.....If she has reached the other milestones she will reach this one too. It just gets better every day,good luck to you both!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.C.

answers from Boston on

Don't worry. You have done the right things and talked with the Dr. and had hearing checked. Now you just have to wait and be prepared for her to never stop! Each of my 5 children talked at different ages. My first was right on the charts, so I thought everyone should be too. but My second never got beyond occasional babbling sounds until just on her third birthday and then she started right into two word sentences (Mama home...) We had her extensively tested but nothing was wrong, she just didn't have much to say. She still does not talk as much as the others, but she is now in college study physics and mathematics. My 4th child was at the other end of the spectrum. He spoke Mama and Dada at around 5 months and knew who he was calling for. He walked at 6 months and He had simple sentences at around 9 months.

What I am trying to say is that those charts don't mean all that much. They are just averages. Your child is not average, I don't think any child is. Just love her and talk a lot with her.

And Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.M.

answers from Boston on

Hi A.,

My 13 month old babbles a lot and has STILL never said ba ba ba. NOR, by the way, does she say mama - infrequently I hear it but that, too, is supposed to be a milestone (by something like the 10th month, I think). But she is just fine. Do not worry. The fact that she babbles is a great thing, don't worry about WHAT she's babbling. And stop Googling!

Good luck,
Holly

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.M.

answers from Boston on

if your daughter has hit other milestones i think she's fine
don't look at all the charts because they are just guidelines i don't think doctors worry ubtil the baby is several months behind some kids will be advanced in some areas and behind in others
it's weird when babies make certain sounds or do things and then don't do them again but that just the way they are
my son would do things and then not do them again for weeks my daughter started to make gurgling sounds at 4 weeks and then stopped and then she'll be really noisy one day and quiet the next she rolled over a couple of times one day when she was 9 weeks old and then the following week wouldn't roll over
so try not to worry and just enjoy your baby she'll be talking before you know it and they'll you'll be wishing you had some peace and quiet and if she's trying to walk her focus is on that and not talking you'll be running after her too

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.H.

answers from Boston on

Call Early Intervention. They will come and do a screening and either she will qualify and get services to help right away or not qualify and ally year fears. Many times pediatricians down play things and are not as proactive as they should be. Getting intervention early has been proven to be crucial to the later success of children. Enjoy your sweet baby!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Boston on

I don't have personal experience with this issue but because you're a worrier you should go ahead and have her tested by Early Intervention for your own piece of mind. It is a state program (maybe even federal?) that is free for all children under 3.

You can call them to come out free and evaluate her- takes about 2 hours and an OT will play with her while observing her gross and fine motor skills, verbal skills, etc. if she qualifies she will receive free occupational therapy or speech therapy until she turns 3 or the issue is resolved. I had my twins evaluated when they were nine months- they didn't qualify for services which was great piece of mind. Two hours sure beet the few minutes we spent at our doctors for check-ups!

Not sure which town you are in but you can google it or ask your pediatrician for the center closest to you.

Good luck!

J.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.F.

answers from Boston on

Hi A.~
I don't remember what sounds my kids (26, 24 ,& 14y/o) made when they were first experimenting with language, only that it was the most wonderous thing that these little people were actually learning to talk!! My youngest started speaking in complete sentences at 18 months and hasn't stopped talking yet!!!!! Needless to say they are all doing fine in the speech department...maybe a little too well??? :)

Babies are great mimics. Maybe she isn't hearing enough of the "ba" sounds. The Beach Boys song "Barara Ann" comes to mind. Get a copy of that and make a fun dancing game or something out of it with her.

Bottom line just enjoy your daughter's babble!!! This year of maternity leave you are taking is such a precious time. Stop making yourself crazy with google! Every child is different and can't be held to a blanket milestone chart.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.F.

answers from Pittsfield on

Hi there,
Just want to set your mind at rest a little bit. I'm a mother of 6, soon to be 7, and it is very true about kids developing at different rates. Remember that those milestone "experts" are only giving you averages, which means that many children are below or above the average age for each milestone. It's usually all normal. Case in point: I have one child who was speaking complete sentences by 18 months, but my current baby hardly said anything at all his whole first year, and still, at 23 months, is only beginning to put more than one understandable word together. Personality differences have a lot to do with it. The rest of my kids were all somewhere in between. Now, I'm not saying that there's definitively no delay with your daughter, but probably not, especially if the pediatrician isn't concerned. My experience with the pediatricians we've been to is that they seem to err on the side of caution more often than not. I wouldn't worry if I were you. The fact that she is babbling at all is a great sign that her language development is progressing. She may be one of those kids who store sounds up in their heads and then one day, out they all come. All my children, no matter when they started talking, have progressed with "normal" speech development, just not always at the same rate.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.W.

answers from Providence on

I don't think you need to worry too much. As long as she is babbling, that shows that she is trying to communicate. If you really are concerned though and you need that peace of mind, why don't you get a second opinion from another doctor, or take her to like a play group thing, like Parents as Teachers, and they could give you a more educational opinion. Newport has a Parents as Teachers and you could call them or go to their play group. Are you in that area?

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.R.

answers from Portland on

Trust this mother of a 13 year old...it goes TOO FAST. Don't waste time worrying! My doctor told me when my oldest was a baby that you pretty much have to lock them away in a closet to impede their development. Those curves can make a mother crazy. I just had my 3rd child and I don't even know (or care) what she is supposed to be doing when, I'm just snuggling and enjoying and playing with her (before she turns into a moody teen!)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.

answers from Providence on

My now very eloquent 4 year old did not babble until he was over a year old. He could say no more than a handful of words before his second birthday. However, when spoken too, he could show that he understood. (E.g. "Your toy is on the floor, under Mama's chair." and he would go and get it.) Something clicked in when he turned two and the chatting has not stopped. While I wouldn't worry too much, she is still very young, you can always talk to your pediatrician about early intervention. We had someone from Meeting Street come to assess my son when he was 20 months; however, his receptive speech was found to be incredibly high so, he didn't qualify for services. It never hurts to check though! Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.R.

answers from Boston on

Don't worry....Those milestones are only guidelines..they can't possibly outline evey possible variability in the way children develop. What I have learned from my experiences as a mother and an OT who workes with children is that your gut is the best indicator. Unfortunatately, your gut is being influenced by these generic guidelines. You don't seem to have any concerns about her otherwise, and she is apparently very verbal...I would give it time and just let her continue to grow and develop at her rate, and enjoy her. Say no to google!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.F.

answers from New London on

Dear A.,
Stop, just stop. Trust me, there will be plenty of things much more severe for you to worry about in the future. I have three girls and my youngest is nine months now, I have never even heard sounds like hers before. Remember what you focus on expands, if you determine in your mind that she has a developmental delay, she will. Lighten up and enjoy this time it goes all too quickly. Lots of Luck, T.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Boston on

Hello A.,
I can hear how frustrated you feel. As a mom of 3 and a movement therapist, one thing I have noticed regarding development is that our babes are not the multi-taskers we are. When my children were learning how to walk, speech took a backseat; and when they were learning how to talk, gross motor skills took a backseat. It's good that your pediatrician is not concerned at the moment, but you also have to trust your intuition. If you truly feel this is something you need to advocate for, then go for it. Good luck and best wishes.
J. S.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.P.

answers from Boston on

I'm on #3 and none of my kids were consistantly babbling with consonant sounds at 9 mos. My eldest only said "uh-oh" and "achoo" at 17mos, and between 18 and 23mos her language exploded from single words to short sentances. Now, at almost 5, she has a better working vocabulary than many adults I know!

My husband didn't speak until he was 3, and although he's an extreme case he's also had an otherwise normal development and is extremely bright.

I'm only using this example to further reassure you that kids really do develop at their own rates. My 8 mo old sounds like your daughter--she makes a lot of vowel sounds and squeals, but she doesn't make any consonant sounds that I've heard yet. Having seen this pattern twice already, I'm not concerned. I think that the best thing to do is to be observant and aware, talk to your baby and play with sounds (I like to do this especially during diaper changes and bathtime) and try not to worry. So far she's doing just fine!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from Boston on

Dear A., I am a mom of a four year old and I work in the early education and family support field. I would agree with the folks who said check in with your local early intervention or birth to three services. (In MA it is Early Intervention, but all states have them). I say this not because I think something is wrong, but a chat with a specialist or a screening might give you a bit more info about your daughter in a way a developmental chart or checklist cannot. Google is great, but there is so much info out there in a vaccuum, without context-be careful! Do you have access to playgroups or something like book babies at your local library? MAybe having a chance to hang out with moms and babies at a range of stages might give you some perspective and comfort, also? You seem to be a dedicated, caring mother who only wants the best for your child. Take care,

C.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Providence on

I have twin 4-year old boys. One is Autistic and the other is typical. I never planned on having any other children, but surprise, I now have a 20 month old daughter. When she was 10 months old, she was only doing the vowel sounds and not many of those. I was convinced she was autistic and was a wreck! She is fine, luckily, but I did some research & asked my son's speech therapist lots of questions. Here is what I learned:
1. Vowels sounds usually come first. Once they "master" these the consonants will come.
2. To help speech along, read to your child daily pointing at the things you read about.
3. Take the time to "label" every day items. Point to an apple and simply say "Apple", point to a book and say "book". keep language simple and easy to understand.

On another note: I was the first and only one to believe my child was autistic. I made three appointments with my pediatrician until he gave me a referral for early intervention. My son started receiving services at 18 months which is considered very early. Mother's intuition can be very powerful so if you truly believe something is wrong, keep pushing. I might also add that my son did look pretty typical but just stopped developing normally. He is significantly affected and still non-verbal so it was not a case of a high-functioning child being mis-diagnosed. With early therapy my son is doing so much better!
Your child is an individual and is most likely fine. She'll probably not stop talking once she starts, like my daughter!
I wish you all the best!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.E.

answers from Boston on

Hi A.. I don't think you should worry about your daughter if your doctor isn't. I know that of course some children do end up with serious speech problems, and I'm certainly not a medical expert. But I can tell you that my son (now 26 months) was much more focused on motor skills when my friends' children were learning to talk (my son was walking at 10 months). He only recently (since his second birthday) began to have consistent words ("bubbles!" at his birthday party was the breakthrough), and now we are seeing so many new words, including all letters of the alphabet and the numbers up to nine, that I can't keep track. Other kids his age are making sentences at this point, but I'm definitely not concerned about my son. He understands everything we say to him (in two languages!), loves to spell words (we use letter cards, playdough, and pipe cleaners because at this age he doesn't have enough motor control to make deliberate marks with the pencil), and has come out with some very clear speech ("chicken" perfectly pronounced, for example). So unless you have reason to distrust your doctor, I don't think you should worry about your daughter; these so-called "milestones" have very wide windows, and kids are incredibly different.

K. E.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.P.

answers from Boston on

If your Dr is not concerned I wouldn't worry. I have two daughters one starting walking at 10 months and talking at 12 months. My other daughter took a little longer walking at 20 months and talking right after that. Now she is happy 4 year old. Every baby develops at there own pace. My advice to you is to enjoy every minute and not to worry too much. They grow way too fast!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.K.

answers from New London on

Hello,
Don't take this the wrong way, but I think you are waaay too neurotic! You are going to cause more problems by looking for them!
It's perfectly fine if your 9 month old isn't making consonant sounds. It's silly to worry about it. Especially if she's hitting all other milestones. Developmental problems come with more than one indicator.
Don't worry. Just relax and stop trying to be an armchair doctor! The computer is not how to diagnose your child. Trust your doctor.
-S.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.V.

answers from Hartford on

If you have concerns, one of the best things you can do is to contact the Birth to Three System. They will come to your house and do a free evaluation. If, based on the results, there is a need for concern, they then will set up a plan for services with you, give you ideas, etc. If you want, you can check out a bit about them at www.birth23.org. Hope this helps.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.V.

answers from New London on

You need to take it easy. You will drive yourself crazy. Yes, every child develops at a different rate. A good book to buy is "What to expect the First Year" - I had this when my son was little - it's a good book to gauge what your child should be up to, although I must admit that when my son did not reach some of the "milestones" right on time, I would panic! So you are not alone. But please know that your baby will be just fine. Say a little prayer that the Lord helps you to just RELAX. My son is now a handsome, smart, strapping 17 year old! Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.O.

answers from Hartford on

Hi A.,
I think you should take a step back and instead of worrying so much about her development try and be proactive and stimulate speech and language. It's a good thing that she has some consonant sounds in her speech. Try and play up on those sounds when she does make them. Repeat what she says then maybe expand on it. Do this while playing on the floor with her. Use environmental sounds and animal sounds, these sometimes are the easiest for kids (moo moo, choo choo, etc.)
Play with sounds that are visual (ba, pa, ma, la) these are sounds that she can actually see you make with your tongue and lips. Also, always talk to her. Constantly label things. If you are going for a walk with her, point out the trees, sky and birds, etc.
All of these things will facilitate language. And if you are still worried and she hasn't made any progress between 12-18 months, then you can always consult a Speech Pathologist and get her evaluated through early intervention.
Hope this helps!
S.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.B.

answers from Portland on

No worries! She is too young to be worrying about this...give her time.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.K.

answers from New York on

A.,

Call the Birth23 program,

they are amazing and FREE. Worked wonders for lots of families that i know, MINE included.

My son would not even roll over at 8 months and they had him WALKING at 12 months 2 weeks.

D.B.

answers from Boston on

Hi A.,

The internet is a great thing when it gives you the info you want, and it is problematic because anyone can put anything out there and it lingers around like "fact." It's so tough to sort out what's what.

All I can tell you is that my son did not speak until 16 months! Not one word! Lots of babbling but nothing specific. The pediatrician said, if he wasn't speaking by 18 months, she would have him evaluated - but she wasn't overly concerned because he was not delayed in any other area. He walked early, was very active and coordinated, reacted appropriately to stimuli, was interested in a variety of things, etc. I too was a somewhat older mother, and I wonder if I anticipated his every need and he never really needed to speak because I figured everything out for him! Or maybe, he just wasn't ready because he was developing in other areas! One day, at 16 months, he was whining and pointing to a cabinet, and I just lost it and said, "Whatever it is that you want, you can have it - just stop that incessant whining!!!" He looked at me and, clear as day, said, "COOKIE!" After that, he never shut up. He is now an articulate, intelligent, social kid with good grades and tons of friends. By the way, he was very late to toilet train, and he napped for 3 hours well past the age of 4 - he started kindergarten at age 6 because of the napping and being tired in the afternoon. I am delighted that we never pushed him, and that he had time to develop at his own pace.

I think that milestones need to be looked at as averages. It is vital that you not measure your child by averages or by other people's expectations. If there is legitimate reason for concern, then obviously your child should be evaluated. There are lots of early intervention specialists out there. But it is also important to enjoy motherhood, let your child discover things on her own, and both of you enjoy this time. Take her out and expose her to lots of things - we always went to visit the farm animals, went on walks and bike rides, watched the train cross the trestle, visited children's museums, collected shells, stuck our feet in the pond, chased frogs, fed the birds, played in the park, floated sticks down the creek, got dirty, ran through the sprinkler, picked wildflowers, and so on. My son spent a lot of time building and playing with simple toys, and he often mixed different toys together to create new things - like Brio train tracks,Lincoln Logs and K'nex - now he is a high school senior, college-bound, to major in engineering! He is a track team captain, leads the workouts and speaks at the banquets - all this from a kid who never said Mama or Dada until he was 17 months old!! I'm so glad we gave him the time to become who he is.

Worrying is normal, and some of it is helpful, while other aspects just make you crazy. Good luck, and don't forget to have fun!

D.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.Y.

answers from Boston on

A.
Hi! As the most have said, not to worry to much right now. I am a childcare provider for 3 month - 5 year old children and have encountered many speech delays. Early Intervention (Many E.I. programs throughout, you'll have to get the number of the one that handles your town)is the way to go if maybe she doesn't start picking up by 1.5 years. I would make contact for the eval no later than 2 years if she hasn't started going with the language. My son went through E.I. and still has an I.E.P in third grade for OT, Speech (just got dropped last month). He did commando crawl (not the regular knee & hand crawl - the way a baby is supposed to crawl - builds muscles that they need for speech) at 8 mos. he was walking on his own very well, had 15 words (used in 2 aspects each)by 1 year and then at 13.5 months he stopped talking. He started head butting, pointing and making sound when he wanted something, that's when I started talking with his MD. She stated that if he wasn't talking by 3 years then we would look into it. WELL, she got fired!!! I called E.I. with a co-workers proding and it was the BEST thing I ever did. My son is brilliant (scary at times) and is going to a MD in April to get final diagnosis, which we think is a slight case of Asperger's syndrome (social emotional disorder). So be proactive with your child's health care and development (schooling later), but don't get worried. If you have a good MD then things should be fine. Good luck. STOP googling and search WEBMD - you'll drive yourself nutz!!! Best always from a first hand experienced mom and a well experienced childcare provider!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches