https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:33:48 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758983 Tue, 15 Jul 2014 07:00:53 +0000 regberadaisy 1758983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@iluvboba637: I have a 26m old so I've been where you are with worrying about speech. But I think everything you have mentioned sounds normal and "on track" for me.<br /> Also I'm Chinese as well and have definitely noticed with my niece and nephews that speech development in a dual language household is different than that of a single language household. Both of them got words easily confused. My niece had pronunciation problems and saw a speech therapist for a year. </p> <p>But at 11 now, neither of them have speech issues. </p> <p>And welcome! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758977 Tue, 15 Jul 2014 06:55:42 +0000 looch 1758977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bilingualism alone is not a cause of speech delay. I know it is commonly thrown around as being the case, but as a mother of a bilingual child with a delay, I feel as though I need to get the word out!</p> <p>If you look at words across the languages, you may notice your child has issues pronouncing the same sound. My son has issues with the "l" sound in both languages, which is the major clue that the bilingualism isn't causing the delay.</p> <p>If you are concerned, get an evaluation. I think a lot of kids that could benefit from intervention do not get the services they need because there really is a wide range if normal and we as parents do not have the tools to make an assessment.</p> <p>Wall me if you want more details! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758923 Tue, 15 Jul 2014 05:12:33 +0000 Trailmix 1758923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My almost-14-month olds have pretty much zero words, I think your son is totally fine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758897 Tue, 15 Jul 2014 02:31:22 +0000 lamariniere 1758897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are also a bilingual household and my son is actually trilingual because of daycare. At 16 months he had about as many words as your son, but 18 months was his real language explosion. My son also did not call me mama for the longest time (maybe 16-17 months?), even though he was at home until he was 2. Between about 14-17 months he seemed to learn one new word per week, but sometimes words would disappear for awhile and them come back. He's now a very talkative and verbally advanced 3.5 year old. As you described it, I don't think there is anything to worry about with your son. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758894 Tue, 15 Jul 2014 02:24:53 +0000 NOLady2 1758894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son has speech delays and I can honestly say, that's HUGE list ESPECIALLY in a bilingual household! I come from a bilingual household and sentences are spoken in half English/half Spanish, it can be challenging for me (as an adult) to keep up with the conversation.. Since your home for the summer, try slowing it down, sticking to one language when it's just you two and getting him to watch your mouth as you say words and repeat after you. Sometimes they just need to watch your mouth (how you bring your lips together for the "m" in mama and open your mouth wide for the "a"). If his lack of communicating is causing problems because you can't figure out what he needs/wants or you see him frustrated because he can't get you to understand what he wants, I would use gestures... but you want to push him to use his words. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758852 Tue, 15 Jul 2014 00:06:25 +0000 iluvboba637 1758852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BunnyDragon: aww I think I would cry when I hear mommy/mama again too!!! My LO only says the first 9 words on my list daily, everything else was only a few times. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758849 Tue, 15 Jul 2014 00:03:42 +0000 iluvboba637 1758849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: thanks for the great idea. I never thought about signing mama and dada. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758751 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 22:08:38 +0000 Corduroy 1758751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@iluvboba637: From what you wrote it doesn't sound like he's behind. My LO is the same age and my impression is that she's a big talker. She called me mama at 10 months. Then about two months ago she stopped. I realized she dropped 'mama' when I started cutting out nursing sessions. 'Mama' was never me, it was nursing. DH and I were both 'dada.'</p> <p>About a week ago LO started really showing an interest in gestures so I started showing her signs. I showed her the sign for dada vs mama. That seemed to click with her and I'm mama again. </p> <p>I hope you hear mama again soon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758671 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 21:05:51 +0000 BunnyDragon 1758671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO (19 mos old) has said a lot of words, but doesn't repeat them and mostly babbles. His first word was "dada" and he has said all kinds of words after that, but never "mama" or "mommy." I was heartbroken (I'm a SAHM so he sees me the most) and also worried. He started calling me "daddy" a month ago and last week, he said "mommy." I was so happy and relieved that I cried. He's added a few new words since last week, but again, not repeating them. I didn't mention this to the pedi during his 18 mos visit, but I will bring it up during his 2 yrs visit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758632 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 20:46:34 +0000 blackbird 1758632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is 15 months and doesn't say mama. In fact, most of her babbling isn't even words yet. She'll say uh oh and yeah but not mimick us (she gives us a look and laughs hysterically). Our pediatrician isn't concerned yet and gave us some paper work to go through-we check whether we tbink she understands words we say, If she says them, etc. I'm not concerned yet but it makes me sad she says "Mimi" (for my MIL) but not mama. Sigh, such a bum </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758365 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 17:53:14 +0000 Mama Bird 1758365@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@iluvboba637: that's good! My pedi said that as long as the child is communicating, she's not worried and they're probably just working on other skills. And every bilingual family I know says that their kids started talking closer to two. I can't wait! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758346 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 17:41:31 +0000 iluvboba637 1758346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Crisark: isn't it just so heartbreaking when they know other's names and not mama? Maybe I'm just selfish. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758329 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 17:35:16 +0000 iluvboba637 1758329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pastemoo: @ mrs green grass: @ mrs blue: it's reassuring to hear that my son is not the only one who doesn't say or forgot "mama" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758319 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 17:33:07 +0000 iluvboba637 1758319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mama Bird: sometimes he calls me baba (Chinese for dad) too. I am seeing progress, he just recently added fish, train, and tray to his list. And he communicates well with gestures, signs more, etc. I was just so worried and heartbroken that he stopped calling me mama! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758284 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 17:16:08 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1758284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 16 months my son has less than 8 words, and most of them we are the only ones that can really tell. I have been concerned as well, but my ped isnt at all. I think you are far beyond where we are. If you are concerned, tallk to your ped, but i think you are probably fine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758283 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 17:15:40 +0000 Mama Bird 1758283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi, and welcome from another newbie :) that sounds like a good list for his age. Are you seeing progress? And is he communicating in other ways? My family is also bilingual and my 19 month old is barely taking, but he usually makes himself understood. FWIW, he's stopped calling me mama too. He thinks it's funny to call me papa and make my husband grumble... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758264 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 17:07:15 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1758264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 16.5 year old says less words than yours! He says about 8 words. Bilingual households usually have slower language development because they're processing so much with all the dual language going on. He seems like he's doing well based on your description! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758243 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 16:54:31 +0000 pastemoo 1758243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>AND this is all more pronounced (more loss, slower to learn) for dual language learners--they have so much more to process. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758241 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 16:53:36 +0000 pastemoo 1758241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@iluvboba637: First of all, if you feel something is off, go back to the doctor.</p> <p>However, my son is big big ahead of his curve talker didn't say mama till 14 months and then forgot it again. I think there is an ebb and flow to learning language--that part is ok.</p> <p>But again, if you feel uncomfortable about it, say something, get him evaluated. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758223 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 16:38:52 +0000 meganmp 1758223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kiddos have far fewer words (DD has 7, DS has 3) at 3 months older than your LO, and the ped isn't concerned. No worries! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758222 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 16:38:28 +0000 hellobeeboston 1758222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also think that is a pretty impressive list!! My 20 month old maybe says the same number. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758215 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 16:34:02 +0000 Smurfette 1758215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 16 year old has maybe said 10. And most have been said once and never repeated. That is a huge list. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758209 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 16:31:07 +0000 travellingbee 1758209@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That is very extensive vocabulary for a 16 month old. My 16 month old says many fewer words and his ped said he's advanced! He also says words sometimes for a while, and then doesn't for a while. I think that's normal. He just recently started calling me Momma but isn't consistent. He sounds very very normal or even advanced. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758192 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 16:17:38 +0000 Mrs. Twine 1758192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Losing "mama" might be a regression, but I would check with a professional. </p> <p>Has he lost any other words? Apart from that, his list seems pretty great for his age! My oldest who has autism had a regression, but only had one word at 18 months ("bup" for up, and had lost "mama"). It sounds like you have some concerns, though, and I wouldn't just shrug that off if it's a persistent feeling. I had concerns with Ellie (my oldest) and was repeatedly told she was, "just fine." Well, she is fine. But she also has autism. I would just keep an eye on things, and talk to his doctor. If he is doing well now (and it sounds like he really is!) then even if issues are discovered down the road he shouldn't have any negative repercussions. Ellie did not get any services until she was school age, and is doing so, so well academically and otherwise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758168 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 16:08:22 +0000 SleepyMonkey 1758168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are you a bilingual household? I've read that kids growing up in a bilingual household sometimes take a little longer to start speaking since there are two different languages to sort out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758110 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 15:51:45 +0000 Mrs. Blue 1758110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that's a huge list! My boys are 16 months and have maybe 3 words that I can count. Mama is not one of them, at least not in the use of it to mean me. Our ped says they are delayed but didn't want to refer them to speech services until 18 months if they don't have 6 words by then. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758099 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 15:48:48 +0000 Crisark 1758099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I honestly would say that's a vast vocabulary. My 15 month old DD says the following:</p> <p>Bubble<br /> Bah - ball<br /> Dad<br /> Down<br /> More<br /> Mama - rarely<br /> dink - drink<br /> done<br /> vroom - if you count that as a word. When she plays with her cars.<br /> Num - yum or for food<br /> Nigh nigh - for bed time<br /> Ma - what she calls her grandma<br /> Pap<br /> Nana - her other grandma<br /> She will repeat things if asked to and can say her name and her sisters names. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758089 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 15:46:41 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1758089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A word counts if it's only said once. So you shouldn't worry! Also my LO says lots of things at 18 months, but mama is not one of them. He makes the sounds occasionally but does not call me mama. 25 is a great (average) number of words for 16.5 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/165-months-old-doesnt-say-mama-speech-regression-or-delay-pls-help#post-1758047 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 15:36:42 +0000 iluvboba637 1758047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi everyone, I've been a long time lurker and I'm so thankful for all of the helpful info I've found on this site. </p> <p>I've been very concerned about my son's speech since he was about 9 months old. He's now 16.5 months and may have lost some words he's said before. </p> <p>At his 9 month appt, I expressed my concern to his pedi that he didn't babble much with consonants, just cooing. She said not to worry unless I don't hear any consonants by 12 months. At 10 months he finally started babbling babababa mamama.</p> <p>I should also add that he always met his milestones on the latter end of what would be considered the average time for it - rolling over, crawling, etc.</p> <p>At 13 months, still no words. I had him evaluated for EI for various reasons - speech, lack of sustained eye contact, doesn't always respond to name, toe curling, hand flapping. He tested with flying colors and she said he was absolutely normal. Problem solving, fine motor, cognitive all close to 24 month. Gross motor, social, and communication were all on track. She said not to worry about speech because he grows up in a bilingual household, the toe curling they have until 3 to lose the reflex, the hand flapping is ok when they are excited as long as they stop when you tell them to stop. And she said his eye contact was very good. He warmed up to the OT right away and was playing with her and engaging with her. </p> <p>At 16.5 months, these are the words he can say, mama is no longer one of them :( is this considered a regression or a delay?<br /> let me add that he never came up to me and said mama, the only times i heard mama was when he i would come home from work and he popped up from his nap and said mama or mom. or maybe calling me mama just isn't important because i'm now around 24/7 (i'm a teacher on summer break)</p> <p>is this normal? should i get him evaluated for EI again? i don't think he's going to qualify for EI because he's not delayed in any other areas. </p> <p>his pedi wants to wait until 18 months to make a speech referral through insurance. </p> <p>the first 9 words on the list are the only words i hear on a daily basis.</p> <p>pls help. thanks for reading this far. </p> <p>1. aht (sp?) = chinese for duck<br /> 2. row row = chinese for dog<br /> 3. bu = bus, truck<br /> 4. bao = chinese for bread<br /> 5. ba = banana<br /> 6. ball = ball<br /> 7. fiss = fish<br /> 8. chay = highchair tray<br /> 9. chain = train </p> <p>10. cah = car (very rarely)<br /> 11. ss = keys (sometimes)<br /> 12. gai/guys = grass (very rarely)<br /> 13. bah boh = bubble (sometimes)<br /> 14. ss = yes<br /> 15. ah-bo/pole = apple (very rarely)<br /> 16. pad = ipad<br /> 17. trash = gras? (haven't heard this for awhile)<br /> 18. clean = clean (tries to repeat this)<br /> 19. pop = pop (tries to repeat this)<br /> 20. owl = owl (not sure if he really knows this or just coincident)<br /> 21. jew = juice (havent heard this one for awhile tho)<br /> 22. zip = zip (tried to repeat this, but hasn't for awhile)<br /> 23. Our = flower (hasn't said this for awhile)<br /> 24. Go = go (hasn't said this for awhile)<br /> 25. Ba/bom = box </p>