7 1/2 Month Old Boy Not Really Talking

Sounds like your younger twin is advanced with language, especially for a boy (I have always heard that girls often - not always - develop speech faster than boys, and I have seen that to be the case with my two boys). Neither of my two baby boys were doing any talking this young, just cooing and baby babbling sounds. My oldest didn't say his first word ("uh-oh") until about 10 or 11 months if memory serves me correctly, but now as a 3 year old, his speech seems to be advanced, from what I hear from others. My two year old still mainly babbles incoherently, but as I learn his language, I can understand him more and he is putting three and four word sentences together. I think he is a little on the slow side at this point, but I am not worried because I see improvement almost daily and his enunciation is improving as I work with him on it (he loves repeating after me). Plus, his way of talking is just too cute to worry that he is behind!

I worried about everything as a new mom. I only have 3 years and 4 months of experience now, but it is getting better - I don't worry so much. So I'm sure the worries will lessen for you as your babies get older. Just enjoy their differences and marvel at how unique and wonderful each one is in his own special way!

7 1/2 mo is very early to be talking. You said he is making sounds and makes sounds to express himself. This is right on track. I know it is hard but you can't compare each boy to each other. Each will develop at his own pace, the pace that is right for him as an individual. Just because they are twins doesn't mean they will do everything at the same time. If he is 2-3yo and not talking, then be concerned. For now just encourage him to use his voice and experiment with sounds.

This is normal, your first born is probably just going to be a little faster at talking, but your second is not at all behind. Rest assured, soon it will start, and you won't be able to make it stop...even when you want too. :)

Enjoy the loving stares at each other...soon he'll tell you more than you want to know.

Hi Kim,

Do not worry, especially with twins. One will always be more vocal than the other. Also they have a certain way of communicating to one another and this sometimes will be enough communication for the quiet one alone. I have had a few friends with twins and one set, both girls didn't really start speaking or making a lot of sound till around 2 years old. I also have another friend who's little boy didn't say one word till around 2-1/2 years old, he also was really lazy and didn't want to walk, I think he finally walked after he was 1-1/2. He is now 4 and races all over the place and never stops talking. You cannot diagnose babies or kids usually uner 3 years old. Unless of course they are unresponsive visually and no one seems to be home inside, in this case go straight to the Dr.
Twins have a connection that we don't know about. Anyway, 7-1/2 months is really really young. I would join a twins mom group. You can learn a lot and discuss all the situations you may run into with twins.

A.

My son did not speak english words until he was around 4-5 years old. They are speaking their past lives languages up until then (some of them). I would not worry if she is mimicking her brother. You could take her to a speech therapist for an evaluation, but I do not think you have to worry. My son was born 3 months premature at 2 lbs. Doctors said he may never walk or talk. He is 20 years old and going to a brand new program at UCLA called Pathway for people with disabilities. He is a great kid.
S. www.healthy-communications.com

It seems that 7 1/2 months is probably a bit early to worry about this. However, if your intuition is telling you something is wrong, ask your pediatrician. Only one of my 3 children was "talking" much at 7 1/2 months, the other 2 were very quiet.

I also have twins (21 months old) and it's very easy to get caught up in worrying about whether one is behind when the other achieves a milestone. They all develop at their own rate. My twins are boy /girl. My son spent until about 10 months always trailing his sister, sometimes significantly, on milestones. Now, my daughter trails my son. I catch myself worrying that it's because she doesn't get as much one on one time since her twin and my older child are more demanding by nature. Then, I need to remind myself that individually she is doing just great and that, although she's behind her twin developmentally, I need to look at just her and assess where she's at. I guess with twins, it's easy for the guilt feelings to seep in since it's such a challenge to share attention between the children.

Hi there,

I am a Speech Therapist, and no I would not be worried, he is still too young. My son is 1 year now and he was not always EXACTLY where the speech said in the books. Especially with twins, sometimes one is a little behind. Are you using a binky? I would suggest not giving your son the binky during social hours so he can talk. I would suggest just talking, talking, talking to him. Explain everything, label, when you hear noises, tell him what they are, etc. If he is not talking by 18 months, then I would refer him. My son is one and babbles a lot, but only says "Ma Ma". He is so engaged in moving. Sometimes when they are learning a certain skill, they drop the other. Good luck!!

No, no , no... DON'T worry! I think you are jumping the gun.
He is only 7.5 months old! Also, DO NOT compare the twins... each child/baby is different.

Talking speed and ability does NOT have anything to do with "intelligence" or "smartness." Einstein did not even talk until he was 3 years old. Many "geniuses" had this trait, Mozart too.

MANY babies don't even talk until AFTER 1 years old... with boys, it's often even later. DON'T pressure the poor child.. or yourself. EACH baby/child has their OWN unique personalities and abilities and develop differently....

Really, this is too early to "expect" your son to "talk."

I have 2 children. My eldest, my girl, was "talking" before 12 months old. My 2nd child, my son, is almost 24 months old... he is advanced in many areas of development... and is bi-lingual, and very cognizant of anything that goes on. HOWEVER... he does not yet "talk" as is "expected" at his age. No big deal. Sure, at this age he is now, I had him assessed... there is NOTHING wrong with him. My son is very selective about what words HE "chooses" to say... he is very precise & analytical...and the words he does say are quite impressive. One of the first words he said for example was: "help" and "more." Not mama, or dada...but the word "help"... which attained for him a lot of goals he had in mind. The Speech Therapist also said that ANY syllable they sound out IS "talking"... it's just not our "adult" way of expecting it to be. She said my son is very bright.. and he seems to CHOOSE what and when he wants to talk...and his understanding of the spoken word is advanced for his age. So, they do not call his "talking" "ability" a "problem."

Also, your son is making "screaming" noises, and saying "ah" and sometimes "ma." THIS is called "pre-talking." Remember... talking is also a development... not a spontaneous occurrence in which they suddenly exclaim perfect wording all of a sudden. Whether we notice it or not... any noise, babbling, sing-song sounds they make etc., THIS is called pre-talking... it is them getting ready, and practicing sounds and moving their mouth & tongue, and experimenting... as long as your son is doing this, then that IS appropriate. THAT is what my son's Speech Therapist said.

*You may also teach your babies "baby sign language" already. I will help them and you, to communicate even before the are talking. I did that with both my children. It's great and fun.

Anyway, they also say that boys just talk later. I would not worry. Appreciate the differences in your twins... each has their own time-line, personality, abilities, and unique qualities and temperaments. If the twins are always compared... it could turn into a "habit" that will just stigmatize them later and just be negative for them. Celebrate the uniqueness of them....each strength can compliment the other, and they will then learn to be close with each other, instead of fostering competitiveness or insecurities between them.

All the best,
Susan

I know I shouldn't make fun of other people's beliefs, but I just had to respond to the last gal's comment about babies speaking their past lives' languages. My 18 month old says "dubba dubba" all the time, especially when pointing at women and we haven't quite figured out what it means. I just looked it up on the internet and apparently it is urban slang for 1. breasts larger than size D, 2. to wander around doing whatever all over the place. So apparently my son knows something we don't and probably lived in the ghetto in his "past" life.

OK, now that I've gotten that laugh out of my system, I think every baby develops at their own pace and having twins just reiterates that! If you want to encourage the other one more, you can put him in front of a mirror with you behind him and just practice making noises and showing him how to shape his mouth to make certain sounds. But for the most part, I wouldn't worry too much about it at his age. I think if anything, the other twin is just advanced.

Kim 7 1/2 months old baby does not talk, they jibber and jabber, but they don't talk, not the way you are expecting, what older son are you talking about, Your request here is a little un clear. J.