https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 19 Apr 2026 22:36:11 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842635 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 12:18:23 +0000 maddyz 2842635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS1 was an early and proficient talker. DS2 is really taking his time. He was just like your LO at 15 and 18 months and actually got EI evaluation. But now at almost two the words won't stop coming! He was always a good communicator, but never interested in mimicking (unless it's doing the naughty thing DS1 just did). It's SO hard not to compare.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842599 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 09:48:22 +0000 smuckers 2842599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Truly, thank you all so much for commenting. I feel so much better that A) this seems to be a really common worry at this age, and B) she seems to be right in line with so many other people's experiences! We have her 15m checkup next week, so we'll see what our dr says. Thank you everyone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842597 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 09:39:17 +0000 Mrs. Toad 2842597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS was like this. DH and I stayed home with him and both of us are quiet people. </p> <p>DS had only a word or two at 15 months and had just started walking. At 18 months, he only had a few more. I called Early Intervention and when they did the assessment at 18 months, he was 25% delayed. (DH had major speech delays, so I didn't want to wait.) Our speech therapist started with signs (eat, drink, milk, water). DS will be 4 in October and is caught up. </p> <p>I'm glad that I didn't wait, because Early Intervention taught us how to help him. He probably would have been fine anyway, but I feel better knowing that he wouldn't have DH's delays. Part of the concern that I had was that he didn't babble until 10 months and he didn't say anything until 15 months (includes mama and dada).</p> <p>DD has been in daycare since 7 months and is now 16 months. She has probably about 20-30 words and I am just amazed at the difference. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842588 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 08:43:01 +0000 thepicklemonster 2842588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son started walking, talking and showing receptive language literally overnight at 15 months and a week. All of it at once. I was worried, especially about the receptive language and lack of pointing but he suddenly did it all. They change so quickly at that age! He’s 23 mos now, has way more words than I can count and speaks in 3<br /> word sentences. I was so worried so I totally understand. I’d wait to see how she’s doing at 18 mos. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842579 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 07:55:34 +0000 daniellemybelle 2842579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is definitely a wide range of normal at this age. My first child was a talker and my 17 month old is absolutely a mover!</p> <p>I would consider my 17 month old to be a slow talker within the range of normal, based on things I've read, conversations with other parents and with our pediatrician. Right now he has 17 "words" (some of which are sounds such as a very rough approximation of "vroom vroom"). At 15 months, I think it was only 3 words! Our pediatrician said we should be shooting for 10-20 words by 18 months.</p> <p>When I was starting to get a little concerned, I watched some YouTube videos of speech therapy for toddlers and implemented some of those techniques in our daily life, and I really do think it helped! I would encourage your husband to read to her and play nursery rhymes for her during the day if he doesn't always feel chatty - which as a SAHM I can relate to! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842576 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 07:01:11 +0000 Ajsmommy 2842576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Neither of my kids had many words at 15 mos. I never worried although blogs/posts/boards did make me wonder.... I remember at DD's 18 mos apt I said she said 3 words. Ped was fine with that bc everything else was fine.... fast forward a few months and she was a motor mouth and was getting (and still does get at 4.5yo) compliments on how well she speaks/communicates.</p> <p>DS is 18 mos and I feel like he only has mayyyyyybe 5 words... but I sometimes feel like people "count" words early just to count them... LOL... I kinda hate that it's almost like a competition and I wish it was more open bc in all honesty every kid is different!! I'd focus more on their overall development.... and understanding of directions and social situations. I feel like the words will come...... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842571 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 05:47:30 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2842571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 15 months LO didn’t say many words either. We spoke to him all the time and he attended daycare. My pediatrician based on observation wasn’t concerned. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842560 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 00:33:39 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2842560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter didn’t say more than about 10 words until she turned 2. Then her language just took off!! Pretty amazing. Now she’s advanced in many ways at 3.5. You don’t have any need to worry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842559 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 00:27:12 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2842559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>And for what it's worth neither of mine were in daycare but more people were around for lo2, but he was still the later to talk one. I think some kids are just more interested in talking than others, but as long as it's in the range of normal it's ok. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842557 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 00:21:01 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2842557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nutmeg36: my lo1 was the type to be saying sentences by 18m, so I didn't notice the "word explosion" people talk about really at all. But my lo2 was really not talking much at all, and if I remember right was pretty much where your lo is at that age. I was a little worried but he, like your lo, walked by 10m and was off running by then and climbing, etc. He is now almost 3 and people actually comment on how articulate he is. We saw the word explosion between 17-19 months. You're right before that stage so it can be hard waiting but I think chances are really good that your baby will be talking very soon.. talking your ears off! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842555 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 00:15:10 +0000 lamariniere 2842555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't be too worried. My DS had his language explosion at 18 months and probably had an average amount of words before, with very high receptive language. My DD had a number of words, but didn't hit her explosion until 19/20 months, but was talking in multi-word, coherent sentences by 2. In my experience, it literally is an "explosion" and they make a ton of progress in a very short amount of time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842544 Wed, 29 Aug 2018 20:34:24 +0000 LemonJack 2842544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it’s always good to keep an eye on her, but honestly I wouldn’t worry much. They often say that children either develop their motor skills or their communication skills first, and it sounds like she’s developing her motor skills. My ODD was like that, and at four, she still is. She’s super physical (running, jumping, scaling things, etc). At this point, she’s also very verbal, and talks up a storm, but she always hit her communication milestones a little later. She’s totally fine, it’s just who she is!</p> <p>For what it’s worth, I worried when she was that age too. 🙂 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842539 Wed, 29 Aug 2018 20:07:41 +0000 Amorini 2842539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can totally relate and, like others, was really worried at this stage, too! Around 16 months, DS finally had a couple words: Mama, bye-bye and infrequently Dada. He was doing all of the waving, pointing, lots of animal noises; an early walker but not an early talker by any stretch. I wondered about his hearing because he wasn’t really appearing to “hear” me, but now I know he was just being him...little rascal. :wink: </p> <p>He’s been full-time at daycare since 5 months but also learning two languages (Italian at home)...so I was worried and yet knew it was normal for him to be behind the curve some with learning two languages.</p> <p>The pediatrician said to keep lists of new words and keep an eye on it. At 18 months, he probably had 5-10 words regularly and was steadily progressing. At 21 months, he had 30 words and some of those were two-word phrases. And that point I saw the writing on the wall and stopped worrying so much. Funny that I never felt there was an “explosion” per se. Just steady improvement over the last 9 months.</p> <p>Anyway, lots of others on here whose kids don’t necessarily fit the curve. Hopefully this helps!</p> <p>ETA: oh and like another person said, I can only recently — when he wants — prompt him to say words, but for whatever reason he will do it for DH. When their personalities are coming out, it’s hard to interpret if there’s something wrong or just they’re being a special snowflake. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842538 Wed, 29 Aug 2018 20:06:17 +0000 Becky 2842538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD2 had 2 words at 15 months (mama and dada), and I would describe her as a mover like yours. Our pediatrician had no concerns at 18 months, and at 24 she was on track. She’s 28 months now and at the same level as her peers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842536 Wed, 29 Aug 2018 19:57:13 +0000 wrkbrk 2842536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nutmeg36: Does she make any animal sounds? My pediatrician said those count as words! At 15 months my son could say uh oh. That’s it. But he made 10-12 animal noises that were correct (moo, ruff ruff, etc). I was pretty excited that was a good sign! Ha. Truly he didn’t talk until 20 months where people knew what words he was saying and they were appropriate for the context. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842512 Wed, 29 Aug 2018 18:24:42 +0000 DesertDreams88 2842512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always loved the ages and stages questionnaire for things like this.</p> <p>That being said, I think my son only had like 20 word by age 2, then yes, it was an explosion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842492 Wed, 29 Aug 2018 16:50:43 +0000 Mrsbells 2842492@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nutmeg36: if you child is home with dad most of the time and is the only child in the house then I would consider that normal. Being in a daycare environment or being around other children would make a huge difference however eventually she will catch up when she is ready. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842488 Wed, 29 Aug 2018 16:37:29 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2842488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don’t think you need to worry but I would be looking for progress. If by 20-24 months there isn’t significantly more improvement, I would get evaluated. </p> <p>DS has a speech disorder and is in the group who wouldn’t have caught up without intervention. We are still working a lot with him for speech therapy at almost 4 now. He was referred at the 18 months visit and I am very grateful we didn’t wait. He had no progression from 15-18 months and basically everything was ‘guh’. If there’s a long wait for services I would keep an eye by 18 months and go for it. It took us almost 8 months to get in for public services but we are in Canada so might not be the same where you are. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842478 Wed, 29 Aug 2018 15:37:08 +0000 Hypatia 2842478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, my 17 month old can only say dada, hi, bye, and baba (mama). I’m really hoping she has a language explosion before her 18 mo checkup. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842476 Wed, 29 Aug 2018 15:35:01 +0000 josina 2842476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 12 months DD said just mom/dad.<br /> She's 18 months now, and says mom, dad, hope, more, done, hot, hi, that, cat, bob. Most of those are very recent and she's adding a couple words a week now, so I think your DD has plenty of time to get there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842475 Wed, 29 Aug 2018 15:32:27 +0000 smuckers 2842475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rattles: um, this is my jam. thank you SO MUCH. According to this, I think she is a little behind for her age, but not by much. She checks all of the boxes for the 9-12, but not all of the boxes in 12-15 for expressive language, go figure. This makes me feel so so much better!</p> <p>Thank you to everyone for responding. It sounds like she might be a little bit on the lower end of "normal", but moral of the story is that I need to chill out for a bit (as suspected). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842474 Wed, 29 Aug 2018 15:28:09 +0000 tiramisu 2842474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nutmeg36: she sounds normal to me, especially the fact that her receptive language is pretty good. I know it's hard not to worry and not to compare. I think at 15 mos. my DD had hardly any words and was very inconsistent at using them. And the only person who could understand her was me haha. Even at 2 she had more words but it was still hit or miss. Around that time tho she had a language explosion and now at 4 is extremely chatty. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842471 Wed, 29 Aug 2018 15:15:45 +0000 crazydoglady 2842471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nutmeg36: Believe me I totally get it. This has been my part of my life for the last 1.5 years... lots of evaluations, 2x weekly speech therapy, and tears shed. </p> <p>I am just saying to have a date (like 2 years or something) to give her a chance to catch up since she is at the pivotal language acquisition phase. And then go from there. You can always have her assessed by EI now but it might all be for naught. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842469 Wed, 29 Aug 2018 15:14:28 +0000 KT326 2842469@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 15 months my second could only say dada, ball and sha (for our cat shadow). The pediatrician said at that age they should have at least 3 words. Now at 20 months he only has 10 words. Ped isn't concerned at all. She suspects he will have a language explosion soon.</p> <p>It's so hard not to compare, my older son was already stringing words together at this age and this one isn't even close! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842467 Wed, 29 Aug 2018 15:09:29 +0000 birdofafeather 2842467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>both my girls had a few words at 15m. and i mean, a few, like 5 maybe. DD1 had a language explosion around 19 months to where i wasn't worried anymore (was planning on asking her ped at her appt that month and then she just took off!) and DD2 didn't talk much (definitely no sentences) until just after 2, but i noticed her picking up more and more words on her own pace so i wasn't concerned. both of them had great receptive language skills.</p> <p>it's always good to bring it up with your ped to keep an eye on if you're concerned, but your kiddo sounds in the range of totally normal, on track to me! it's always hard to compare at that age too because we had a friend who daughter was basically singing songs at 15 months, but didn't walk until that time, where my daughter walked by 10 months and didn't have many words at 15 months! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842465 Wed, 29 Aug 2018 15:06:51 +0000 rattles 2842465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, in case it’s helpful, the EI team DD1 saw used the Rossetti scale to diagnose and measure, and there are lots of other benchmarks than spoken word. Here are the pages for 9-12 and 12-15 months. Ignore the checks, obviously :happy: </p> [attach=2013/18/pe8nvf.450x600.01669178-DFC1-4C09-821D-4C0267A2829E.jpeg] [attach=2013/18/pe8nvg.450x600.C2A53A09-58CC-4899-A194-D33331072A34.jpeg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842459 Wed, 29 Aug 2018 15:04:25 +0000 JennyPenny 2842459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LBee: interesting! I’ll have to check. I have this video of him saying “Mama this” “more this” at 15 months and that’s been my basis for half my worried comparing! I have no memory otherwise </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842458 Wed, 29 Aug 2018 15:04:11 +0000 rattles 2842458@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DS was 15 months yesterday. The benchmark they asked about at his appointing today was 3-5 words, or 1-3 words besides Mama/Dada. My first LO was language delayed. Her 15 month appointment is when her ped referred her to early intervention. It doesn’t sound like your LO is necessarily behind, but I’d mention it to your doc if you’re worried. In the meantime, try to narrate your activities with her. It feels ridiculous, but it helps! To answer your actual question, my 15 month old says Mama, Dada, sometimes book or up (inconsistently), waves, hi fives, and makes the same sound every time he sees an animal (though the sound is like a shrieking bird, regardless of the animal). I think he’s just fine though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842457 Wed, 29 Aug 2018 15:00:08 +0000 LBee 2842457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think there really is a "norm." My son was very verbal, but he didn't walk until 13-14 months. My ped usually says that sweet spot for language is 20 months. BUT, it never hurts to get evaluated if you are concerned. </p> <p>@JennyPenny: Random, but search our FB group and I think you might be over remembering DS1's verbal. I was searching a few days ago and saw a post you actually wrote when he was ~ 16 months asking about verbal and worried. He was definitely not speaking in 2 word sentences in the post (it was in January of 2016). There were also great tips in the post! [I'm hoping this comes off as helpful and not a diss at J! He is obviously brilliant and totally on track so I was hoping it would provide comfort] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-normal-for-speech-at-15m#post-2842454 Wed, 29 Aug 2018 14:58:59 +0000 nwm 2842454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>FWIW, my son had basically zero words when he turned 15 months--he sometimes said "gah" and pointed at the cat but it really could have been by accident. within one week at that age he literally developed 10 *very clear* words. now at 2.5 i would say he's pretty advanced in his language (today he told our cab driver, "that was a nice ride, thanks" lol). i was fretting at 15 mos like you, but i think there is plenty of time to experience a language burst (or several). </p>