My 16 month old son is bright, happy, playful, loving and talkative. He babbles non-stop. To me he seems on track for his verbal skills. He says about 25 words, knows that dogs say "woof" and cows say "moo" etc, and understands a ton. But he almost never calls us "Mama" or "Dada." He knows who we are... If I say "Come sit on Mommy's lap" he comes to me, or if I say "Go give Daddy a hug" he knows who Daddy is. He just doesn't call us anything. (If he's sick or in distress, he will say "Mama." That's about it.) Should I be worried about this?
My son will be 3 next week and it wasn't until VERY recently (last 6 months or so) that he has called us Mom and Dad with any regularity. And since then he's gone through different versions. I was "Mom" for a while and now he's trying on "Mama" for size. As long as he's understanding the difference, I wouldn't worry if he's using the words. He will in his own time.
HI A.
My daughter is very similiar..She rarely says mama or dada and she is 18mths. Some children talk very very early on and others just take a little time. I am sure their is nothing to worry about esp since he is saying woof and moo and relates to what you are asking.. If you get to concerned you can always have him evaluated for early intervention (just to ease your mind)
My 2 older boys..One was same way with talking I thought he would never talk then one day he seemed get got up from naptime and memorized the dictionary LOL
Congrats on your little one and just enjoy
My son was the same way--nothing to worry about. In fact, I can't remember when he started calling us "mommy" and "daddy" but I think he was closer to age 2. He is 27 months now, and the pediatrician says he is verbally advanced for a boy his age. So don't worry--not sure why they don't call us, but they eventually do!
Wow- your son is actually really advanced verbally! 25 words is fantastic! (Go mom!)
My son JUST started saying mama 2 weeks ago, and he's 14 months. So I know the feeling. I really think it just means they are secure, happy, and going about their business. You've got a real smarty there, mama. So don't worry! He sounds awesome!
My husband and I were very anxious to hear our baby boy call us 'Momma' and 'Da-da' as well. We made up a game with our son when he was about five months old. We'd look at him and say in a sing-song voice; "Momma" then look away....(turn our heads to the side) and then turn back to him again.... face to face.... say another, "Momma" then turn away..... then back with; "Momma" for a third time, and then turn away, wait a second.... and turn to face him again, with an enthusiastic; "Da-da!!!!" He would smile so big and also laugh out loud! Then we'd switch it around and do "Da-da" 3 times, with Momma at the end. He loved it and I think it really did help him to say Momma and Da-da. When our second son came along, we played this game with him as well and by then our older son was two and he was the ring leader of that game, so there was early brotherly bonding going on as well. Fun stuff. I sure do miss those wonderful baby days! My sons are now 17 & 19. Good luck and God bless! Enjoy every minute...... read to him every single day..... take lots of photos...... & just eat him right up because little boys are so much fun!!!!
D. xo
Hi A.,
It sounds like your little guy has the right verbal skills for his age, I would not worry that he doesn't call you or dad anything. He may not need to. He knows who you are and he must assume that you know who you are too, and don't need him to remind you :) Don't worry about it. When my daughter was a baby, her first word wasn't mama or dada, it was the cat's name.
Hi, I have been meaning to write you, sorry it took so long. My daughter, now 18 months just started calling me mama and she started saying dada about a month ago. She, like your son, said all kinds of other words and understood what we said. I too am an older mom but I don't think that has anything to do with it. So just hold on and soon you will be hearing mama and dad constantly, we certainly are.
Hi A.
I think your son is just fine.
My son is also 16 month and he only says about 5 to six words intelligibly. If your son knows the concept but is not expressing he is ok. Do not worry right now
I wouldn't worry at all! He sounds like he's right on track, and sounds like he's very smart and aware. Enjoy him!
Lynsey
Hi A.,
My son didn't call us by name until he was about 19 ms old although he babbled nonstop from about 7 months. His first word was BARN, from the Melissa and Doug magnet book. Not long after came daddy, grandma and eventually Mah-ee. He didn't stick the M in the middle for several months. I don't know why, I guess because I was always with him he never felt the pressure to get my attention. If you're worried about future intelligence, I wouldn't be too concerned. Before you know it your son will be talking your ear off. I've heard of some kids who don't say much 'til 2 and turn out fine.
Hi A.. Not at all. My son was the same way, very chatty but never called us by name but now he is now 21 months old and says mama and dad all the time.
My kids were the same way. They are now 2,3,8, and 9. Most days I want to change my name to anything but Mama!! He'll say it soon enough, and just as Karen said, you'll wish he never learned to talk. :)
If he calls out to you when he needs you, then I wouldn't worry at all. He just may not really have the need to address you. My son was in speech therapy for about 8 months and they told us 2 things....stop referring to ourselves in third person. Say "come sit on MY lap" and take his hand pat his chest and say his name, then take his hand pat your chest and say "mommy"-do it for daddy too. Now I hear MOMMY about 300 times a day followed by non-stop chatter.
My third son used to say mama, but frequently says Dada. I know that he said mama when he was hungry....it's just that huh? Ha,ha,ha. Don't sweat over it. He'll eventually say those special words. If he's able to say other words don't worry about it not saying Mama and Dada.
You'll be surprised that he'll say it one day and praise him for saying other words too and when he says Mama and Dada, praise him and answer him whenever he talks!!
My son called me Mommy for the first time two days ago at the age of 22 months. Like you he would point to "mommy" or "daddy". We've been working with an early intervention program. Up to age 3, depending on income you can get either free or discounted help from the state. I would really recommend looking into it. They come out and do an evaluation. If nothing else, you'll find out that everything is fine.
I don't think you need to worry... if he is talking and using words....what words he actually says aren't as important as the fact that he says them..... believe me, once he starts calling you mom, mama, mommy all the time.... you'll sometimes wish for this time again! LOL
I was in walmart a few weeks ago and this kid about 4 yrs old was taunting his sister by saying, "mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom,mom,mom,mom,mom, "so-n-so" hit me...mom,mom,mom,mom,....."
I was wishing right then and there that the kid had never learned to talk, let alone say Mom! LOL
