13 Month Old Not Talking Yet

She is totally fine! For her to say dada and mama at this point is great. I know older babies who can only say that at this point. They should really start to vocalize more around 15 months and up, not to worry. You are reading and talking to her, that is what she needs. Try to limit the television, a few shows are fine to watch. My son really started to use his words around 18 months. The binky won't limit her speech either unless its in her mouth 24/7 and she has no opportunity. My son had his for nap and bedtime until 23 months. I say cut it off by 18-24 if not sooner just because they grow so attached to having it. You are doing fine, not to worry!

Totally understand how you feel. My daughter didn't say more than ten words when she was 2 and a half years old. That is when I did get concerned. I had her evaluated and the muscles in her lips were under developed. A speach therapist, paid for by the state, came to my house once a week to help my husband and I with her thereapy. One thing we did have to change is , we talked way too fast and she wasn't picking up the words. But after about six months of exercises with a straw in the bath tub, blowing the water down, and sucking pudding through a straw, her lips could handle the words. So in short don't freak out yet. Good luck.

This is normal. She probably understands more than you think. My daughter just turned 16 months yesturday and can only say Daddy (still no mommy :( When you read her books ask her to point out some of the animals. We read our baby Brown Bear Bear what do you see. It took about months but she can now point to all the animals. When you read Dora, ask her "where is Dora? then Where is Diego?" Also try working with her on animal sounds "what does a dog say Cow, etc". You can also instruct her "can you give mommy the remote?" and see if she listens. Or ask her to point to Daddy "say where is daddy" or Where is the doggy?"
Another thing that helped us, is after we showed her all the animals, we have gone to a petting zoo and then a real zoo.
You didnt mention if she has a pacifier or sucks her thumb. My daughter made leaps and bounds in the commication area (around 13 months) when I limited her pacifier to ONLY at nap time and bed time. (or if she is sick)
But just know that its normal....also for the shows, I found that Seasame Street is a GREAT program for the kids because it talks about numbers, letters and more basic things for them to understand. May be another show to add to your list.
Good luck and Congrats!!!

I have a daughter who will be two in June. She did was not talking at 12 or 13 months. Your situation sounds a lot like mine, we don't get out much while her father is at work. I was worried at first too! The reality, she was right on schedule. I talked with my mom about it, and read online a lot as well. If she is not talking by 2 there may still be nothing wrong, but that is the milestone age. From personal experience give her until about 18 or so months, and keep talking to her! My little girl talkes ALL THE TIME! most of the time you can't understand it, but she started speaking in phrases about 19 months. She will say things like "I see you!" and "Where are you?" she will now ask for things. Just when she chatters be sure to respond, like you know what she is talking about. What ever she is jabbering about means something to her and it will encourage her to keep progressing in her speach.
(The binki was hard to get rid of, but she will be OK)

Hey! Who are YOU talking to??? That person has you all worried about nothing. My daughter started talking right around 18 months or so where I could actually understand her. The only thing you can do to encourage them is if they want a drink, hold it and say "say drink". Other than that, my son wasn't understandable until his 3rd birthday!!!!! He knew words, just wasn't a big talker. I think people get way too focused on the lack of talking with kids. Sure, sometimes they need help, but kids talk on their own, when they're ready most of the time. I do strongly recommend you cutting the pacifier cold turkey though. I definitely notice a lack of talking a lot more from children who have pacifiers. But, then again, I took the pacifier away from my kids at 6 months old because in my opinion they're only supposed to be used while your child is a baby since the only instinct they're born with is to suck. Even with taking it away at 6 months, my son still didn't talk until late!

she is still young. you can try some fun activities when you read. like reading and having her repeat some of the words with you. books on tape are great with the headphones on might encourage her. a lot of young kids love learning signing. there is signing time. it is on you tube . kids love it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVcJHv32i18

if she does not talk after 18 months, they will check her ears first to rule out any hearing issues. they will also try to check for language processing issues: receptive and expressive. We started speech therapy at 3 years and supplemented at 4.

Nothing to worry about all kids learn at their own rate. Just continue to do what you are doing. It's too bad you can't go to the library. They have great programs for kids during the day. Maybe once a week when your husband gets home he van take you or drop you off at the library. There is so much to explore there and you might meet a friend or two. Singing is a great idea too. Tapers, CD's or radio whatever you have. Even on the PC.

My son now eight didn't say hardly anything even at 2 1/2. I was really getting worried because all of the other kids his age that he played with talked quite well. His pediatrician told me to not worry. Now I can't shut him up! lol

Hi, your baby is normal, some babies are faster than others. Just talk to her but not trying to get her to talk back just to have conversation. Do not talk babytalk to her and tv will not teach her how to talk so the programs are just for fun. She is very very young and still an infant, don't rush her, she's fine.

If she understands things you say and is communicating in SOME way, she is fine! Plus 13 months is so early still and every kid is different. I had one who BARELY put 2 words together at 2 yrs old, one who spoke in full sentences at 18 months and one who falls somewhere in the middle. My latest talker is now in Kindergarten and is ahead of all but one kid in his class. Don't stress mama, soon you won't be able to get her to STOP talking lol. ;)

The speech language therapist I work with, and I, have had many conversations about this. If your little one is *trying* to talk at this age and is frustrated because she can't, then perhaps get an evaluation. But if she simply isn't interested for the most part, you can probably give it more time. At 18 months let your physician know how many words and sounds she has, and he can help you determine if she'd benefit from a little speech help.

Don't worry. My son is about to be 14 months old; walked at 10 months, has said "dada" since forever and JUST barely started saying "mama" and that's it. Nothing else. :) Every baby is different and go at their own speed. My son seems to understand everything I am saying, he just can't speak his mind. Don't worry, that day will come for all of us and then there will be non-stop talking....

I think 13 months is a little young to be worrying! She sounds like she is right where she should be! Do you really watch TV all day long with her? Not to sound judgmental, but a lot of experts feel that kids that age should be watching no TV, and kids over 2 should limit their screen time to 2 hours max. I know it's really hard to have NO TV at this age, but maybe it shouldn't be on all day long. Going out and seeing things in the world may promote language! Again though, 13 months is on the young side to worry!

C.
www.littlebitquirky.blogspot.com

That is totally normal. My 12 1/2 month old babbles a lot, but doesn't really say much (sometimes mama or dada appropriately, but not usually). And, mine isn't walking yet. There is a large range of what's "normal."

I think that is just as hard as you say to get rid of! We had one that would probably still have hers if I had not gotten rid of them (she is 18 and LOVED it.) At some point, we limited the paci to when she was in bed. As long as she knew that she could have it at some point in the day, she was better able to let it go. Not at 13 months though...it was more like 3!

Around the first birthday, she should be able to utter single words. Some kids do this sooner, some later, and a month is not a huge delay, and she is saying dada. If she does not have an explosion of words in the next few months, I would have her screeded by your pediatrician. She is probably fine.

Why can't you take her anywhere right now? Are there other issues with her, or is it something else? If you have other things going on, then I would make sure that you do not have a global issue. Just keep a close eye on her, and talk, talk, talk. Pointing is a good thing, and her walking is on target. Keep encouraging her, try singing and dancing and try turning off the TV a little more too. She might fill up the silence with her own voice.

Good luck!
M.

My 14 month old rarely says any words with purpose, but just babbles all day. It's perfectly normal. I'd turn off the TV in the background though. The interaction with you is much more important and getting into a bad TV habit isn't good for development and can be hard to break. Keep talking to her, reading to her, and just see how things go for quite some time. She sounds perfectly normal.

Totally normal. In fact, at my DD's recent 18 month checkup the Dr. just wanted to know if she was saying four words yet (and the handout of what she "should" be able to do said four words). We rattled off about 10 that we could remember and over the next couple days I jotted down the ones she had been saying and it was about 20 to 25. BUT at 13 months? Not a single word. She would point, grunt, shake her had no, etc. etc. (My DS was the same way and I think said even less at 18 months than DS, and at 4-1/2 now, he never stops talking!)

By doing those things (pointing, grunting, shaking her head), she is starting the process of communicating back to you. The next step: words! :)

Just keep doing what you are doing.
I think she will be fine.
You are doing everything just fine.
Talking to her is so important so you are doing fine.

Mine doesn't either! He just turned 1 on March 15th, and he says Dada, sometimes Mama. I've read that they are talking, we just can't understand what they are saying. Try to figure out if she is using the same "sounds" for certain objects and you will know she is being consistent at least. I'm trying sign language now, since it is proven to NOT slow speech but to improve it as long as you are saying the word that corresponds with the sign. I have talked to other Mom's and I've gathered that it is not all that abnormal to still not be "talking" yet. I think by 18 months is the more worrisome time if they still aren't communicating with a few words. Good luck and don't worry! Everyone develops at a different rate, but i know it's very hard not to compare ;-) He also started walking at 10mos and we read, watch educational shows and I call every object by it's name. I'm going to start labeling everything possible, I've read that promotes talking/ reading. Hang in there.

Sounds normal. I don't think my daughter talked a lot at that age. maybe a handful of words (mama, daddy, baby and more) and a few signs.

If you really want to help her language development turn of the TV! It has been shown in recent studies that TV (even "educational" shows) hinder language development in infants.

Other than that just keep on talking to her and reading her books. Children acquire language by being exposed to it, but it has to be natural language, not TV or radio.
If you are really concerned bring it up with your doctor.
Good luck.

13 months? She shouldn't really be saying too much at this point. Your concern will soon be replaced by "Oh my gosh, does she ever stop talking!". I have a just turned 2 year old who has less than 10 words in his vocabulary. Give it time!

My oldest didn't say much until she was 2 yrs old.

My daughter is 13 months and she does not talk either. She says "dada" and "uh oh" and that is it. My doctor said that is perfectly normal. I wouldn't worry at all. These babies will talk when they are ready!