Hi everyone!!
Does anyone mind if I share some of my concerns? Ok, good
He's 15 months (13 adjusted)
I've noticed that he doesn't really look where I point-- he mostly just looks at my finger. He doesn't seem to follow my gaze at all. A lot of the times he'll look if I say "look at the picture or flag." I feel like he knows those words and just looks at the items I say- I don't know if this counts. He does point, however. He points to interesting things and to things he wants me to get him.
He has ZERO stranger anxiety, like none at all. He'll let anyone hold him and it's totally fine. He did it just yesterday at a BBQ. An uncle that he's never seen picks him up and he's peachy keen. Once in a while if a stranger says "hi" in the store he'll sort of nestle his head onto me as if acting shy or bashful.
He really doesn't have any separation anxiety. Only at night. If he wakes up and I'm not there he screams.
He doesn't have any true words. He babbles a Ton and has begun mimicking a lot. He understands lots of what is said to him. He knows two body parts (when I say where is your ear? Belly button? He touches them.) he can follow some simple commands like "get the ball" or "give me that" or "open the window" (on his toy house) he's even begun to dance on command lol. He claps when I sing "if you're happy and you know it" he loves being tickled and held.
He has great eye contact and always has.
He really doesn't "play" too much with his toys. He likes to flip through books, opening and closing them. He likes to bang toys together and puts toys into containers, but really doesn't stack his blocks. He also loves to put things in his mouth.
He's very active and loves to go all around the house exploring.
I also notice when we go out to the stores or he's around a larger group it's harder for him to focus. It takes me a few tries to get his attention.
I hope I'm not forgetting anything here. If youve read all this youre a saint.
So, what are your thoughts here?
Thanks for reading!!!!!
I don't think I get what you're concerned about. He sounds absolutely lovely and pretty normal. What issues are concerning you?
Sounds all normal to me. Some babies just don't have stranger anxiety. My first son always was and still is like this. He'll talk to anyone, random people at the grocery store, park, etc. I actually sometimes wished he had a little because of that. My second son is much more cautious and takes a minute to warm up to a new person.
Sounds pretty normal to me! At that age they don't really play, they sort of roam around making messes and banging stuff! It's super fun to them! ;) I would say in the next 6 months though he will become more interested in playing with Little People or blocks or something for longer periods of time. Good age appropriate toys are things that he can put it and take out. Things that make noise, balls, musical instruments, push toys, ride on toys, etc. It doesn't seem like you have much to worry about. I will say however that even at 13 months adjusted age he should have at least 5 solid words that he says consistently. It may be bomma instead of momma or whatever, but the same "word" for the same thing. If he doesn't I would probably consider looking into free speech therapy but even at that I wouldn't be "worried", but do be proactive!
All normal things...
My first was always very friendly, too! He would always go to anyone with no fuss. My second is the opposite, very mommy-centric :) I am no expert, but nothing that you described seems outside the range of typical for that age. Stop Googling, it will drive you nuts :) :)
Sounds totally normal to me. He actually sounds very social. My younger daughter was like that. She, too, loved being in a crowd, was a total flirt, would let anyone hold her, and only preferred toys where people would have to play with her (vs ones where she would keep herself busy). To this day (she is going into 3rd grade), she gets in trouble daily for talking in class (she gets her work done quickly, then bugs everyone around her ;). Kids are who they are from day one! As long as your kiddo is making forward progress (and it sounds like he is), keep doing what you're doing! He will be fine.
I was a worrier too (and for nothing, it turned out), but your little boy sounds normal and fine. If anything, he sounds like a lot of little boys -- very active, very social, but not quite as verbally oriented. That's FINE. The job market is terrible for English majors (lol). It's also completely normal for a one-year-old not to play with toys. Honestly, it's irresponsible even to make/market toys for that age group -- they're not developmentally ready for symbolic play. It's also normal for young toddlers to seem unfocused in big, chaotic situations. What you're seeing is that he's registering, "wow, there's a whole lot going on in here."
I don't know if you have the book "What to Expect in the Toddler Years," but if you do, pleeeease throw the thing away. That's the one piece of advice I wish someone had given me when my son was one.
Every single thing you listed is normal behavior. He sounds like a healthy baby boy. If he falls more than 6 months behind "normal" behavior expectations your pediatrician will let you know. Try not to compare him with other children as they are all so different. Instead have your list of questions for his doctor at his next visit and relax and enjoy your little guy!
I'm only a first time mom with one child but nothing you mentioned concerns me based on my own child and those of friends and family. Our son at 19 months is still pretty close to what you describe except for the stranger bit. People are best enjoyed from afar for our son. Whatever concerns you have, though, you should take up with your pediatrician. Remember children all have their own stripes so the variation from child to child can be enormous. Good luck.
sounds normal......some kids are friendlier than others....they all have their little personalities and quirks and preferences.....enjoy the fact that he goes to others because maybe in a few months he will be clinging to you and cyring "mommy mommy"....if you are there when he falls asleep then he expects you to be there when he wakes up and that is why he cries or he has reflux.......nothing to worry about....
He sounds pretty normal to me too (remember normal is a pretty large RANGE on a bell curve)
That said however, an evaluation by Early Intervention is free, fun and informative.....
I have a 14 month old, and everything you said sounds pretty much like my son. Except my son says almost 10 true words and he plays with his toys constantly. He also loves people and doesn't care who has him.
I asked his doctor a few months ago about his hearing, because we noticed that he wasn't listening when we would say his name while he was playing. So I asked her if he maybe had hearing problems, she said that he probably doesn't, he probably has "selective" hearing (which she sees more in boys than girls, so we can blame biology on our husbands) So when your son is in a large group setting, hes just not paying attention to you. She also said that because my son could say a hand full of words, he probably didn't have a hearing problem and she said that since he mimicks things that we say that that is a sign that autism may not being a factor. (She said that babies with autism tend not to babble and/or mimick.)
But all in all, everything sounds pretty normal! But if you still feel uneasy, its a simple phone call to call the doc! Good luck!
Hmmmh - I concur that everything sounds normal; however, I am a big proponent that parents know their child best.......your gut may be seeing things that you aren't able to describe in words......at the same time, our mommy hearts often work overtime with concern. I agree with another post - call Early On/Early Intervention and have them evaluate him to be on the safe side; they may even tell you when you call that your son fits into the guidelines for "typical development". In my opinion, for developmental issues, I like Early On/Early Intervention because it is a team of professionals trained in development. Just my two cents.
Sounds like a little boy to me. I wouldn't worry about it at all yet. The "words" thing isn't a biggie - I wouldn't worry about that until more like 2 or 2 1/2. Some kids just don't feel the need to talk much. The stranger thing - my daughter was like that too... until she hit about 2. She's 5 now and still not shy at all about striking up conversations with random people at the store. LOL!
You can always voice your concerns to your doc, but I'm pretty sure everything you've mentioned is completely normal for a little boy. :)
Have you tried the peds office and asked the doctor for an opinion? The school district may also have some help. The birth-5 program should be able to come out to your home and asses your child's development and set you up with any services if there are delays.
My daughter is 13 1/2 months and seems to be right where your son is. I don't think she completely gets the pointing thing either. I will hold my hand far out and that will bring her gaze to the object. She is not really talking either. If anything, she stopped saying a few things (nothing big, just mama and dada). Guess they are just not new and exciting to her anymore! The two body parts she knows are nose and toes.
I really wouldn't worry, but you can ask your doctor at his next visit if it makes you feel better. He/she should be doing a check list anyway though to make sure the baby is on track for development.
