Baby Not Talk Yet at 15 Months Should I Be Worried???

Updated on October 28, 2010
J.T. asks from Orlando, FL
21 answers

My fifteen month old started with the ma ma and da da. She even went as far as hi. However at her 15 month checkup the doctor asked if she had progressed and I said no. She told me to be a little concern. But she will mimic talking on the phone and babble like she is having a real conversation. As far as her other development she is quite advanced. But its the talking thing that has me a little worried. Is it that she is just not ready yet?

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B.A.

answers from Tampa on

My brother didn't utter a single word until he was 3. Out of no where he just started talking one day. It was like he just didn't have anything to say until then. He's still a pretty quiet guy, but he's pre-med and carrying a 3.9 GPA in college. So he's definitely super smart. I wouldn't get too concerned yet. She's only 15 months. Give her some time.

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K.O.

answers from Columbus on

Don't worry...my 21 month old just started talking more and it was like a language explosion. It was extremely sudden. She still only talks when SHE wants to, but at least it is a little more often. :-)
I wouldn't worry until she hits 2 yrs. Just keep exposing her to books, educational programs, music (my daughter tries to sing the Elmo's World theme now), etc. They take it all in until they choose to use it. My dd will stop saying a word if I make a big deal out of her saying it. I have learned to play the poker face when she starts saying body parts, etc. I just say yup...eye. Inside, I feel like doing a dance though. LOL.
As long as she understands concepts like a brush is for fixing hair, toothbrush is for teeth, etc. most likely she just wants to wait. Good luck!

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

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2 moms found this helpful
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S.O.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Don't be worried at all!! My son didn't start talking until he was about 22 months old. He just turned two and already has over a 100 words in his vocab, adding more everyday. I didn't do anything extra to get him to talk. Just talk to her about what you're doing, read stories, sing songs. All things you probably already do and she will get there. All kids are different.

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V.L.

answers from Washington DC on

Kids do things at their own pace. Some take longer to crawl, walk, or talk. It doesn't mean that they are delayed developmentally. Don't worry about it! My son is 15 months old also and only says da da occasionally, yet he has been running at full speed for over a month now and can throw a ball like he's Joe Montana. Give her a few more months.

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S.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Do not worry.
She will be fine.
Probably will be talking in complete sentences,
with subordinate clauses, when she's 3-4 years old.

Give some thought to singing some simple songs with her.
See if you can get her to sing back to you, sing with you.

Also . . . . if there are two languages spoken in your home,
baby's speech will happen later.
She is sorting out between the two languages.
Don't avoid speaking one or the other language.
It's good for her brain to learn two at such an early age.

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B.B.

answers from Dallas on

I was worried about my son, but the pediatrician said he was right on track. I will share you what he told me, because I think it would be helpful to you. He told me to not be surprised, if by two my son is not as advanced in speech. My son is very advanced in a few other ways. He is 17 months now and can take anything apart and put it back together. He is very good at problem solving. The Dr. told me children like that (who excel at something very early on), get so wrapped up in learning by doing, they don't necessarily learn by speaking. He concentrates very hard when playing and so he doesn't talk much then. He told me, as long as my son has some vocabulary not to worry. The milestones to hope for by two, are that he can ask for what he wants. (please, want...whatever words they use for asking.) As long as they understand asking will get them something, and they can associate words with objects...he is good. I hope that made sense, at all!!

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M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I would get her checked out by a speech therapist. I don't think its normal- good luck and hope everything turns out ok!

M

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H.S.

answers from Johnson City on

I wouldn't be "worried" necessarily, but this may be a cause for concern. All children develop language at varying rates, and I am sure that your daughter is well within her developmental norm. However, there are a few things for you to consider. Have you had her hearing checked? Have you spoken to your pediatrician about having her evaluated for early intervention? It is possible that she may have a speech delay, especially since her speech isn't progressing over time. How is her receptive language? Does she understand everything you tell her, and follow 1 to 2 step commands? A child at 14-15 months old is expected to speak at least two words skillfully.... At 15 months, my son was saying approximately 10 words and was already putting words together, such as "Hey Daddy." He's always been advanced linguistically, so that is no means for comparison - I just want you to know what some children her age are capable of. I recommend reading to her frequently, and having environmental print around your home (such as her name spelled on signs, pictures labeled with words that you read together, etc). She may have a language explosion in a few months... I would give it some time - but if she isn't speaking more by her 18 month well child checkup, I would definitely pursue this further. Best of luck!

A.P.

answers from Grand Rapids on

My son is 19 months old and all he says is mama really with a lot of babbling like your daughter. He listens and comprehends to everything around him and is doing everything else as normal. I wouldnt worry about it right now and just let her take her time. She will get it eventually and when she does you'll be wishing she never knew how sometimes :)

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K.G.

answers from Fort Wayne on

its funny you should post this ? i asked the same thing earlier this month. dont freek out, just give her some more time keep reading to her and talking to her. If you understand what she is asking or showing you then that is great. Dr seem to go over board and take into acct that a baby may be really advanced in one area but just takes its time in others. For the longest time my dd would crawl backwards then one day she was walking I just about passed out. if her ears are good and she is expressive just let it ride for now she will wake up one day talking and you will be longing for the days she was quiet. lol good luck.

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D.S.

answers from Tulsa on

as long as his ears are fine I wouldnt sweat it. mine is 30 months and not talking well but he has tubes and as soon as my insurance kicks in i am seeing about speech. I think its too soon to panic and I had 2 speech delayed kids. until 2 1/2 I didnt worry to much. even with my youngest he is behind and I know it but am not too worried since the tubes need time to work.

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B.

answers from Augusta on

She's still pretty young.
My daughter didn't say much anyone could understand until she turned 2.
It was an over night change. She suddenly started talking in sentences.

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S.H.

answers from Detroit on

I wouldn't be worried. She is still really young and well within normal range of development.

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M.B.

answers from Dayton on

Sounds well within normal range. I think we stress too much over exactly what month our kids hit their baby milestones - most of the time these things work themselves out. My latest baby didn't start talking at all until after 18 months and now has quite a few words (maybe 10, but it's it or miss, or if he feels like it). I'd let it go for a little bit; just tuck it in the back of your mind to keep on eye on for now and worry about later if need be.

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P.K.

answers from New York on

My thought always was at that age between a year and 18 months they
are learning to walk and maneuver the world around them. They cannot
learn all that and talk at the same time. I would not worry until about
2 years old. Some babies, like everything else, develop at different
paces. Try to relax and enjoy her.

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K.M.

answers from Tampa on

Does she understand when you tell her things? If so , ok.
Make sure that she has all the nutrition needed to develop- and no junk, no sugar.
best, k

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E.C.

answers from Orlando on

Please do not be concerned just yet. At my daughters 15 month visit her dr asked if she was saying 30 words and she only said mama and dada. By her 18 month visit she was saying 40. I know this because I made a list so I could show her dr. By 2 she was speaking in complete sentences. I was worried for no reason! She is now 2 1/2 and never stops talking :)

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J.G.

answers from Orlando on

Sounds very normal to me!

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S.S.

answers from Miami on

You should be worried. Language is the basis for all future reading and writing, critical thinking skills and processing. Did she crawl for 4-6 months? Sometimes you need to get the child to an occupational therapist as well as a speech pathologist to figure out WHY she is not talking. 15 months is late and late usually means they are always playing "catch up" Please have her evaluated since I work in this field and would much rather see a 15-16 month old then a 7-9 year old who is having learning challenges! Stick to one language as well. (For now)

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K.W.

answers from Youngstown on

I was worried about my son when he was a baby too. My daughter talked early and tons. She is 5 and doesn't stop talking, she even talks in her sleep. So when my son was not talking like she did I was worried. My mom had to remind me that each baby hits those milestones at a different pace. My son eventually started talking two months after his 2nd birthday. He will be 3 in two weeks and talks a lot now. Just keep talking with and to her and she will one day start talking back.

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