Almost 13 month old boys aren't talking yet...

First off, this is hard for me to judge because I have an anxiety disorder and I am SO anxious about this right now, so I wanted to know from other twin parents when your kids started REALLY saying words... not babbling/just saying sounds, but associating and saying sounds for objects, things, people, etc...

Our ID twin boys are almost 13 months and were born and 35 weeks 5 days.

They do NOT say mama and dada appropriately. they babble mama and dada, but do not call us by that appropriately yet (though one boy did a few times, dada). They also babble a lot of other things... but have been since about 6 months old. The one thing we did notice... they say dada a lot when happy, and mom or momom or mama when unhappy/upset. But not calling us mama or dada.

they repeat sounds, sometimes.

I am very anxious as to their development. My spouse thinks everything is fine and thinks they will talk soon (these are our first and only kids) while their daycare provider who has watched lots of infants thinks they are not at all close to talking yet.

Their Dr. told us it would be a problem if they didn't have words by 15 months. I'm freaking out a little because that is just about 2 months away.

They've met most of the milestones, but one boy doesn't wave really, yet (kinda just started) and neither gets pat-a-cake. They point but to close up things they can touch.

I'd really appreciate stories from other twin parents of when your kids started saying words. When did they APPROPRIATELY say mama and dada (calling you by it)? Am I just being overanxious, or is there really concern?

 

My DS didnt really start calling us mama and dada correctly until around 14-15 months. DD was able to way before. My two are growing up in a bilingual environment so that is delaying their speaking but they are able to say a few words in both languages but not much. Like yours, DS would say mama when he needed something, even if I wasnt around, and dada when happy.

I was worried that my DS wasnt saying words, but remember that 2 months is a big change developmentally so the chances of your LOs saying words by then is great. In your shoes, I wouldnt worry about it for now. It will come. It helps if you name each other so they get the idea. Just keep repeating and saying the basics and it will come. I always say to my LOs "let´s go and find dada" "Where´s dada?" "There´s dada!" and they now get it. I´m sure your LOs will be talking soon

 

i personally don't think you need to be too concerned. my twinks are 14 months old and still randomly say mama and dada, they do it appropriately somtimes but it is still hit or miss. they are learning how to point to things when i ask them where something is, like "where is your tummy/nose/hair/doggie?" but it takes A LOT of repetition.

like PP said, 2 months is a long time for them developmentally even though it seems like it goes so fast for us. i think that they will pick it up by then and even if not, it isn't the end of the world. all babies do things differently and in their own time and it absolutely doesn't mean they are delayed if they aren't doing thing by the book.

i would just try to relax about it and make it more of a game than something that you are worried about, but i know it's hard...

 

Mine have just recently been calling DH and I appropriate names "dada and mama". The only thing they really said before was the occasional 'hi' and 'dog'. [Though they are really good at immitating animal sounds and know about 15 ASL words]. I'm not really expecting any real words until around 18 months or so. I think you're boys are doing just fine ^_^

 

Mine are 22 months and just started saying real words. They've been in speech therapy since June (around 17 months). When I talked to their pedi about it, she was not concerned she told me boys typically talk later than girls.

At 13 months I would not worry. If by 18 months they are still not talking you can have them evaluated through Early Intervention. The eval does not cost anything so it's a win win situation. In order to qualify for therapy there must be at least a 30% delay.

 

My b/g twins only say dada when they hear the door open, knowing it's their dad coming home. I dont think I've ever heard them call either of us mama or dada and they are almost 19 months old. If you ask them where's mama, or where's dada, they will point to the right person, but rarely do they say it. That being said, ds was slower than dd when it came to pretty much everything. He just started saying things like truck, whats that, etc... He was late pointing, and is very relational (everything with wheels is a truck) I was concerned when dd was repeating and saying lots of stuff, so I called Early Intervention, and on the day he was supposed to be evaluated, he said turtle. My bff who also has twins had told me that frequently you dont notice that they are doing some things and also, when you start to worry is when they will do it. I would not worry, but continue to work on the where's the... stuff. Oh, and I was told by the EI lady that sounds or variations/parts of words is considered a word. Ds calls trucks gucks, points to lights/ceiling fans and says see, will growl when you ask him what anything furry says, etc...

 

Neither of my girls had any words before 18 months, and both are fine. Brilliant, even. Neither started saying mama and dada appropriately until well after 18 months.

My son does have a severe speech disorder, and doesn't have a lot of words even now at 2.5. It's great to be vigilant, but I really wouldn't worry from what you described. I had him evaluated at 12 months, but he had no consonant sounds at that point at all.

Many kids have a huge language explosion between 18 months and age 2, which I witnessed firsthand with my girls. I wouldn't be concerned until closer to that age.

 

i agree with everyone else - don't worry! my girls are pretty random still with mama & dada. they'll both repeat bye-bye but won't use it on their own, rarely wave, and definitely do not get pat-a-cake. although, they do sometimes clap if i sing if you're happy and you know it. Danika's recently started trying to say hockey (in repetition of DH) but she usually only gets out hooooo. :laughing: your LOs will figure it all out in their own sweet time - and as a PP mentioned, if it turns out that there is any kind of delay, there's lots of help & support through EI. :hug:

 

now you are making ME nervous. My twins are almost 16 months and don't really say mama and dada when calling us. They say hi and bye bye but it's only repeating from what we say... should I be concerned?

 

Mine say Mommee, Daddee but not in the right context. I am Daddee, when they are done their bottle they hand it to me and say Daddee, when they see something they like they say Daddee. At 13 months I would not worry yet. Just recently have my girls been able to say a word and correctly identify the object (nose, apple, hat, flower and shoes are the ones they can say and point to). I think you'd be surprised at how much your boys do talk and understand. It will come!!

 

At 13 months I would not be too concerned. My two, while they could say Mama and Dada at that time, often said it in the wrong context. Sometimes they would look at me and say it and other times they'd be looking at the cat or the chair. As for waving, they did not get the hang of that until about 15-16 months and pat-a-cake, they are still working on that one at 22 months. Words for us did not really start to come out until about 15 months and after 18 months, they really started to pick up a lot of words. My DD is much better speaker then my DS...he understands a lot more then he actually says.
I know it's hard not to be anxious, just keep talking to them and reading to them and note their progress for their next pedi appointment :hug:

 

I would say in the last couple of months, mine started using mama and dada the right way. They weren't saying much at their 15-month appt. and the dr. wasn't concerned at all. Since, then they have started saying more and more. Ellie will try to repeat anything you ask her. She doesn't say it correctly, but she is trying. Abby says words more clearly, but not as many. I was very worried between 12-15 months about their speech, but I spoke to a speech pathologist and she made me feel much better. She said by 18 months they should have a few words, which they do. I figure if by their next appt. they aren't saying more, then I'll get them evaluated for speech. I've realized looking back on all the things that I've worried about, that it was all for nothing. They eventually, sat up, crawled, walked and talked. Every child is different. It doesn't help that my friend's baby who is the same age has done everything before them and is talking in sentences now. I keep reminding myself not to compare. If you are really worried, speak to your pedi about it.

 

Mine had no words at all until 25 and 27 months. Then they progressed rapidly. They are in first grade and read at a 4th-grade level. I wasn't worried because they could follow my simple instructions, and talking late runs in my family.

I never had an EI evaluation for them, because of my family history. I knew they would catch up, and they did. They just did things on their own schedule.

 

Mine are almost 19 months. And at 15 months both babies were very calm and tired at their pedi visit... the doc expressed concern that they didn't really have any words... I mean, they really didn't have any. The ladies here gave me hope when many of them said that their twins didn't have words then either.

Ours will say mama & dada now... mostly in context, but they still don't immediately call us. Anyway, for us, much happened after 16 months... we have several "b" words, ball, bubbles, bye etc. We have attempted to do some sign language, and that is a lifesaver, as the twins will both let us know if they want to eat, have more, water. they don't always offer what they want, but if you ask eat or water, they will sign which one. That's pretty cool.

I mention the signing, because a friend's singleton is being evaluated by early intervention for not communicating well... and they are being told that they should start introducing sign language. anyway, its all quite fun. And if you're concerned (which I don't really think you should be) you might want to consider introducing a few signs.

oh, and just a 'funny'... I tell my kids that "daddy" lives in the pink phone (my cell phone)... because I'm always talking to him on it, and when he's away, I put it on speaker and he can talk to them... anyway, what's funny is that they'll see the phone and say "dada"!! oh boy... they may need some counseling later in life for that!

I agree w/pp that there is a great explosion up through age 2. I can't wait until they start really chatting... but then I hope they don't start talking back! :laughing:

I know its hard to not worry about you children's achievements, because I've been there... the doctor really worried me at the 15 mo. visit, and this time around she was really pleased with them at 18 months. Of course, if you do think that there is reason to be concerned, its great to get help with early intervention if that's available to you. But more than likely they will start talking soon enough.

 

My boys are almost 13 mos. old, one of them says "babababa" more than anything else, occasionally will get the "mama" or "dada", i do think he said "book" or "ook" the other day, but he does not babble all day long, as for my other son, he doesn't even babble as much as his brother, i've only heard him say "mom" or "momma" when he gets upset or wants my attention...but he does not babble....I have had EI since they pretty much came home from the hospital, they were 7 wks early. Just had an evulation yesterday with a speech therapist, she says at this age they should be doing lots of babbling, doing their "mama, dada, baba's".

So they are a little behind, she said not to worry, she sees it alot. Mostly in boys is what i was told. As for saying Bye, Bye, they do not say that, they do not wave bye, bye. My one son will wave hello with both hands in the air, he will also clap, (he's the one that babbles more) my other son, does not of that...They both only poined once so far, when i asked them where "Zoey" was (our dog) and both look in her direction, and pointed. They know (or atleast i think) sippy cups, eat, nap, when i mention those words. It will takes time and repition....They should be able to understand at least 100 words by this age from what i was told, but does not necessarily mean they can pronounce those words, not till older. Hang in there, it will come in time....patience is a virtue right..

 

My two will be 13 months tomorrow, and I could have written the EXACT same post. No waving, no patty cake, no deliberate mama or dada. Will adapted the "milk" ASL sign and he uses it when he wants pretty much anything, but Andy has no signs. They do both point (just started in the last week or so), and they will occasionally point at the dog and say "daw." I think Will might be saying car, but I'm not totally sold.

So, the short answer is that I think this is pretty normal, and while I'm also really anxious and paranoid about their language, I keep telling myself they're right on track.

 

My doctor also started to show concern, but I reminded her that they are twins and I had heard they tend to be a little delayed with their speaking, partly due to them being able to understand each other so they are less interested in speaking to their parents. She agreed. As long as they are trying to talk at that time, she was happy. They still could only say Mama and Dada and yum by their 15 months check up. Only a couple of weeks ago or a week and a half maybe, did Cameron start saying words. He started with circle and moved to banana. Neither words are very clear, but the words are clear enough to know that is what he is saying. He'll even point to a banana when he says it. But he's 17 months! Kiefer still isn't saying anything more than Mama or Dada and occasionally yum. His mama's and dada's and yum's are not very clear at all. He can say them though. When he really tries, they are clear. He has tried to say other words. You can hear him try, but they are very much unclear and he gives up and never tries again. He tried to say Cheerios one time, but that's it...one time. He did say a sentence once. He said "yes he did!" fairly clear, but that was it, never again. I think it was a fluke! I know he wants to speak, but even at 17 months, I have yet to hear much of anything other than babble from Kiefer. He's a great talker to Cameron though.

 

got a question...

Is pointing considered pointing to objects far away, or does it count for objects right up close?

Mine don't point to anything not within arm's reach, but will put their finger in a point gesture and touch or get near things really close to them.

 

That's funny, mine won't point at anything close up! I would assume, based on what the ped said, that any sort of gesture to indicate interest or want counts as pointing. To be honest, my two actually point with two fingers!

 

Hmmm... ours aren't doing to indicate something they want, but something they are interested in that catches their eye. I.e. a pattern/picture on a t-shirt, a picture in a book, eyes or mouth on their toys... a cell phone (on their daycare provider's belt just inches away ) so I wonder if mine are actually 'pointing'?

 

I know that June of this year, when my girls were 20 months old I was so overly worried and anxious b/c they were not talking at all. They are now 24 months old and can speak in short sentences. They literally went from zero words to unlimited vocabulary little parrots in one month. At 13 months there is nothing to worry about. If they are making sounds that is what's important. They will talk.

 

If you go to the 2-4 yr thread at the sticky at the top there is a posting for milestones and development. I think it is very well done. Worth a look at. I remember when my two were that age many twin moms on here had the same issue of their children not saying mama or dada to the appropriate person. I think the entire 1-2 year is really about milestones and development since we see other children the same age and how different they seem to ours. Also you hear parents talking about what "their kids are doing" yet if you get them all in the same room, you will be hard pressed to find the genius in there. I think sometimes they say words that are not clear so we don't understand them, or other parents THINK they hear a word from their child. Some kids hardly say anything and then right to sentences. It is good to observe and follow your instincts and your dh as well. My one daughter at 2 years has very few words mostly "b" words like "baa baa" and "humm?" and many of the animal noises. She is going for "grommets" to be put into her ears after we had a hearing test done and it showed hearing loss due to fluid in the ear. This was why she would say the more LOWER deep sounding words like mmmm or baa baa.


Heather

 

Talking? What's that? Mine are 18 months and maybe I'll get a dadda, done, and momma. And that's just from ONE of my DD's. For some reason I'm not worried about it. There are so many indicators that they are "okay" that I know in the end they will be okay. My other DD just started walking! Ultimately all is well by 2 years old. The language requirements (as well as many others) have changed. When I was growing up apparently 5-10 words by 2 years was good, now they want closer to 80!? Please try not to stress about such things, you are a good momma for even worrying about it. :Clap:

 

I work for an EI agency and typically if they are otherwise developing normally and have some comprehension of what you are saying, they are within normal limits at the age of your babies By 18 months many non-talkers will qualify, but again it depends on other factors and comprehension as well. Don't sweat it! My daughter had mama and dada at 13 months or so, and her language exploded around 16-18 months, now talks in 3 word sentences at 21 months. It's CRAZY how much they change in a month of two in this second year of life Fun fun too, so try not to worry too much.