Advice on 1 Year Old Daughter Who Has Stop Speaking

Updated on July 18, 2010
L.G. asks from Sterling, VA
23 answers

Moms I have 13 month old daughter who up until about 2 weeks ago would say momma and dada but all of a sudden has stopped speaking. She used to babbled all the time. Now all she does is constantly point to what she wants and says "eh". My husband and I try and reinforce words for all the objects that she is point at. Beside this she is making strides in all the other areas. She is just about ready to walk on her. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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So What Happened?

Thank you all for the great advice. Well, I think it was more a phase than anything else. She has been taking her first steps and with that she has been babbling away again.

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K.S.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi there. My name is K. and I don't want to freak you out, so please don't think the worst...BUT my daughter has autism. She never really started talking to begin with, but I have heard cases where the child seemed perfectly fine/normal one day and the next was like a totally different person and no longer did the things they used to. I know you said she does everything else like attempting to walk. My daughter was this way also. No physical restictions whatsoever. Walking and most motor skills were fine. Which is why she was diagnosed so much later than normal autism cases. Usually between 18 months and 2 years is when it's noticed. We did not take her in til she was almost 3.
Sorry I am going on and on here....anyways like I said don't assume the worst and I am not saying that is the problem. BUT if it is a possibility the sooner you find out the better. Beacause the earlier they are diagnosed the sooner they can start taking steps to help them in the long run.
Maybe she is just going through a "quiet phase". I wouldn't worry too much unless it continues.
Hope this can help.
--K.

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L.M.

answers from Washington DC on

L.,
I'd suggest having her hearing tested. You can seek out an ENT or an pediatric audiologist. The information that you have given so far is a big red flag to me. She might have something as simple as fluid in her ears.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like a referal to someone close to you.
L.

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J.K.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi
It could be a few things. Did she have any shots at her 12 month appointment? Some people believe that shots can trigger some pretty intense autoimmune thing that can trigger things like autism, or anything under the umbrella spectrum. Of course, that is the really not what anyone wants to hear and I doubt it is that. but our doctor really strongly suggests that if the child "regresses" like stops using words, stops playing, stops bonding like she was to call immediately.
However, our daughter was saying "mama" at 9 months and then stopped after about 11 months. Not sure why. she wont even repeat it but she will say other stuff. We worried at first but when we talked to the doc about it she reassured us that as long as she is babbling, hugging, playing with actual toys, etc= that it is ok. (it is the total regression that she looks for.)

You could have her ears checked out-perhaps there is an infection that has blocked her tubes and she is not hearing things to repeat.

She might just realize pointing gets her even farther than words. We do baby signs for our baby and she uses those a lot more than talking... (our first daughter did this too and by 15 months was "talking" up a storm!)

It is likely fine- just follow your mommy instinct.

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A.F.

answers from Washington DC on

My pedi told me it's common for kids to put certain skills in the "vault" when they are learning other ones. Chances are b/c she's working on learning to walk, she's just putting the speech on hold for now. It's amazingly hard to learn a new life skill like walking, and to learn to speak at the same time must be really difficult! I would wait and see what happens after she masters walking -- she will probably open back up again. For now, I think you're doing everything correctly!

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J.M.

answers from Washington DC on

My advice would be to continue reinforcing words to her, speak & sing to her quite often, as well as read a ton of age-apppropriate books. This could be some particular phase she's going through for whatever reason. Yet if it doesn't improve by her 15-mos pediatric appt, you might want to consider a speech & language assessment to curb your concerns.

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A.L.

answers from Washington DC on

L.,
First, I wouldn't panic, your daughter may just be trying out new sounds. However, you should call your pediatrician and have things checked out. If there is anything wrong, early intervention can make all the difference. But, I wouldn't panic just worth getting things checked out.

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E.T.

answers from Washington DC on

If this is just recent and sudden, I would see if it runs its course. My daughter went throught spats of saying Momma and Dadda and then just babbled for a while. Particularly if she is about to walk, I think you can really only expect her to focus on one thing at a time. After my daughter took to walking and got good at it (a few weeks after starting) verbal learning became the focus. She would just say a word that you didn't know she knew. The first was "shoes" another was "socks," clearly related to walking.

If it continues get it checked, but short term, I think it is normal.

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T.E.

answers from Washington DC on

If she's making strides in other areas, she's probably fine (although you might want to see the doctor just to be sure nothing else is going on). My son had lots of words at 14 months, but then he stopped talking and kind of grunted and pointed until just recently. Now he is picking up almost a word a day! A lot of times babies will regress in one area while they are making a lot of progress in other areas. If your daughter is making a lot of progress in her motor skills, then it is likely that her brain is focused on that rather than on language development. I'd just keep doing what you are doing and her language skills will probably come back and really start to explode around 18-22 months.

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S.K.

answers from Washington DC on

Check out medical reasons like the other ladies say, if it will help you r peace of mind, but she may just be getting lazy! Seriously, it's a human trait! I've seen a lot of kids do it, including my own from time to time. Know what works every time? Make them use words to get what they want. You know what they want, but don't cater to her, just say, 'I'm sorry honey, I don't understand you, you have to use words." Now, you'll need to give her a bit of a break, of course as she's is only 12 months old! Use your judgment on how well she should be doing with that, but don't let her get into a cave-baby habit. "eh" is not a word. If she's at least trying to say bottle or toy or block, then you can accept that. Check with books and your doctor to see where she should be with that.

I hear kids lose language skills suddenly with autism, but they also lose social skills they had before. Is she still as affectionate as she was and looking people in the eye? You say she's progressing in other ways; I don't think there's a reason to be overly worried.

-S. Kav

OK, after reading others' responses, maybe I'm being too harsh! But later on when they are not concentrating on learning a new major skill, they will try to grunt and point to get what they want. Mine still tries it occasionally. I tell her to use words. -S

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Y.L.

answers from Richmond on

This is definitely something to discuss with the pediatrician, BUT, more likely, she's too involved with learning how to walk. This happens to all babies/toddlers. When they are busy learning a new skill, the other recent skills, are kind of put on the back burner for a little while. What will most likely happen is that once she figures out the walking thing, she will start saying words again, but it's always good to talk to the pediatrician. I don't think there's anything to worry about because she is obviously communicating to you what she desires. In the meantime, don't make a big deal out of it and keep using the word when she points to an object.

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L.L.

answers from Dover on

My daughter is about to turn 21 months, and she's just now really starting to pick up words. She did say mama and dada pretty early, and then stoppped like your daughter. I would think that if she's still interacting with you, making eye contact and otherwise acting the same as she always has, there's probably nothing to worry about. But certainly check with your ped. if you have ANY concerns...moms know their kids best!
My daughter has now started putting 2 words together and saying new words daily! Everyone told me not to worry about her not saying much (including our doctor), but as a mom it's our job to worry and I'll admit that I was a little concerned.
P.S. My oldest daughter is 19 years old, and there will come a time (sooner than you think!!) that you'll wish your daughter would just STOP talking :)

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M.F.

answers from Norfolk on

I haven't quite experienced this since mine is younger, but my 5 month old would babble, and then stopped babbling as much. During the time she stopped, she learned to roll over, and now she's started babbling again. I think when they learn new "tricks," they tend to forget the old ones for a while. The other thing I would check is her hearing. Have you noticed that she doesn't respond to you or noises as well?

Good luck!

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N.L.

answers from Washington DC on

She may be on an "intake" period where she's simply listening and taking in language rather than using it. I see this a lot w/ my daughter in her music classes. She'll go weeks not participating (repeating the songs/sounds) and then out of nowhere she'll sing the whole song. Its like they practice in their head and then try it once they feel they have it.

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K.A.

answers from Washington DC on

Same thing happened when my son figured out pointing and gesturing. Grunting was his choice of communication. Seemed like his talking really slowed down, but after 2-3 weeks, he started talking again and more than before. Make sure you keep talking to her a lot and telling her what it is that she's pointing at and how to ask for it. They're like sponges and will absorb it all and surprise you with the words later on. I would be concerned if this goes on past a month. Otherwise, she's just learning a new way to communicate.

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C.J.

answers from Washington DC on

if she's making progress in other areas she may fall behind in the tasks she's mastered. that's totally normal. she's probably focused on walking right now. if it persists than talk to your doc but i'd let it be for now.

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C.B.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi there,
I haven't read the other responses, but our doc says that as long as they have said the words they have them "in store" and often will appear to regress as their minds and/or bodies are going through other developmental stages; i.e, walking, growing, the like. My daughter is going through this now. My older daughter went through this a couple of years ago and now is a bit of a motor-mouth ;-)

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

Has she had her hearing checked? My friend's baby wouldn't say very much, when they had him checked, his ears were full of wax and couldn't hear anything. They had them cleaned out and then he started responding more.
M.

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E.E.

answers from Washington DC on

sometimes they go through talking "spurts" and quiet times. but other things can cause speech changes, like ear infections. i think it would be best to have your daughter seen by her care provider to rule out any physical issues.

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L.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I have heard that happened to other moms , it was always right before major milestone. Since she is just abou ready to walk, talking gets put on the "back burner" while she is working on walking. Talk to your doctor if you're still concerned though.

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L.S.

answers from Washington DC on

My eldest was about the same age when my husband had some training in Texas for two months. She stopped talking completely when he left and it took awhile for her to start again. He got back when she was about 15 months and I was so worried I talked to her pediatrician and we had an appt with a speech development person. Of course, first time mom, she was perfectly fine and now at almost three she talks non stop and we can't get her to be quiet some times. I would give your daughter some time, my youngest is now almost 15 months old and I'm not too worried that she is not saying much more than the occasional mama and dada. I will wait until her 18th month before I worry. She has everything she could possibly want and her sister fetches for her and we've taught her a bit of sign language so there is not much incentive to learn to speak just yet. It will come. Good Luck.

L.M.

answers from Dover on

I wouldn't worry at this time but if it continues for a prolonged period you should definately mention it to your peditrician.

My daughter (now 20 months) would babble/talk a lot, then stopped, and is now babbling/talking again. They are growing and learning so much, I think sometimes they just overwhelm themselves and have to take a break. She's still communicating and it has only been two weeks.

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A.K.

answers from Utica on

Well i also have a 12 month little girl who started doing the same thing except she yells really loud and like mumbles.. she use to say mama, dada, stop and use to try and say her brother's name and now she only says what i mentioned above. she also started screaming out "rararara". not sure whats going on, but she also flapping... i also thought about making her an appointment, but dnt want them to think im exagurating.... i hope u find out whats going on wit ur baby!

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E.D.

answers from Richmond on

Hi L.,

Both my children are late talkers. I have a 4 year autistic daughter and a 22 month old son. Sometimes my daughter will go back to the stage of pointing and no talking when she's really tired, but I also encourage the use of words. I also have taught my children Sign Language since they are late talkers (it runs in the family for late talkers). Sign Language has allowed my children to communicate with me when they don't want to speak. Sign Language does not delay speaking, it helps when speaking gets put on the back burner because of other major milestones. Nobody is deaf in the family, but it does help me in other ways as I know sometimes I just need to be quiet and listen. It's a fine motor skill if you do decide to teach your daughter that. Have fun with it and if she puts speaking on hold for a little bit, it's ok, but still ask your doctor about it. Please don't let anyone tell you that Sign language would be bad for getting children to speak because it's not true. The language is just another way of communicating until children want to speak again. God Bless.

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