My son is just short of 17 months. He's a bright and cheerful little lad who is on the go all the time. I've got myself in a bit of a flap about his speech though. No sure if I'm expecting too much but I am worried he should be saying more.
He's been saying words since about 11 months and could wind the bobbin up and row the boat just after one. Since he turned one he's said quite alot of words but they tend to be in fits and spurts, so he will say it over several days then I won't hear it again, even if I ask him too. He could do all the animal sounds but seems bored by this now and won't do them on demand anymore. He will occasionally randomly do them though so i know he still can. He waves and says bye, he does broom broom and pop and nee Nar for a fire engine etc. He's quite happy imitating really complex motor skills or movements but doesn't seem interested in imitating speech. He only spontaneously says mum, dad, no and in the last few weeks he's said apple and tractor when he saw one. But again I've not heard them since. He's understands everything I say to him, can do tasks such as 'get your shoes' 'throw me the ball' 'get me a book', he is constantly pointing and gesturing and will lead me by the hand to stuff
he wants etc. He also chatters constantly but it's total jargon and he often pretends to be in the phone chattering too. He also tries to sing but again its gibberish.
Sadly I've allowed myself to compare him to other kids and also been looking on google and am now convinced he's got a delay or some other issue! If some of you more experienced mums could help it would be great. Here are my questions?
Is it normal for language to come and go? Ie: say a word a few times then not say it again? Can I count those words on his list he can say?
IYO should he be saying more?
If you do think he has a delay what should I be doing? Saw the dr this am and he said all normal but have dr google telling me otherwise!
Do you think he can speak but just doesn't want to?
Can progress with talking be affected by walking? He seemed to be saying way more before he first walked at 13.5 months?
Am I being totally neurotic and ridiculous??
By the way, I read to him daily and am constantly trying to get him to speak.
Thanks in advance!
Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.
Behaviour/development
Panicking first time mum! Advice please!
Jakeyblueblue · 23/11/2012 17:48
I wouldn't worry, from what you've described he sounds like he's doing great! I'd maybe give him another few months and see how he is then. I too am a first time mummy and was worried about my DD's lack of speech from around 18 months. I'd look at baby websites and see that they should know a certain amount of words etc (need to stop googling! 
) However in the last couple of months especially since she turned 2 she's really progressed and saying new things all of the time! The other day she hugged my leg and said 'come on, let's go' lol. And after dinner tonight she said 'i love mammy' which was just fab!
I think it's just like everything else where lo's are concerned, they just do things when they're ready! I've worried about not reaching other milestones, eg, walking. She didn't take first steps until 17 1/2 months but within a week was fully mobile. They just like to keep us on our toes 
Am sure before you know it you'll be wishing he would just be quiet for a few minutes 
Don't worry! My DS didn't say A WORD till just before he was 2. He is now 4.5 and speaks, tells stories, sings, in english AND the local language where we moved to. Your son sounds fine
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.