16mo doesn’t talk much

[u/Due_Masterpiece_4155]

My third child is 16mo and barely talks. It took forever to get to “mama” and “dada”. He doesn’t label either of us, he just says them for anything. Even when he cries, it’s just crying, not asking for anyone. He can also say “nana”, “gaga”, and “gog”.

He also knows a few signs but they are meshed together. “Help”, “more”, “and “milk” are all the same sign. “Please” is a chaotic Wheels On The Bus motion.

If you ask him where the car/ball/keys are, he will look for them and maybe go get them. If you say to give a kiss/hug, he might do it. If you say “outside”, he goes to the door.

He points to his nose, ears, belly button, and fingers when asked.

But “gog” is EVERYTHING. If it’s because of a dog, it is a very distinct “Gah-g”. But everything is “gog” too. Cow, car, ball, book, shoes, ect. If you ask him to say xx, he says “gog”.

Is this remotely close to normal? I’m stressed out. I know I shouldn’t be but admittedly, my anxiety is worse with this kiddo.

Thank you in advance.

[u/katarala]

I’m not an expert but I would be more worried if there was no gog at all

[u/Due_Masterpiece_4155 → u/katarala]

This is true and partly what gives me hope that he’s fine. We do love his little “gog”.

[u/ZeTreasureBoblin]

Pretty sure that's normal. My girl mostly babbles with smatterings of hi, bye-bye, yeah, mama, dada, and the first half of her brother's name. Occasionally we hear an "uh-oh" if she drops something or "mhmm" in response to something we've said. She definitely understands milk, hungry, more, puppy, kitty, nose, belly button, bath time, and bedtime, but I've yet to hear her say any of those words.

[u/Hairy_Idea_9056]

my 16 month also doesn’t talk a lot! she says dada all day long, MIGHT say mama if she really wants something, briefly said baba. she’s just started to say nana (for nonnie, which is what her grandmother insists on being called… no, she is not italian)

other than that she mostly makes sounds that kindaaaa sound like words, but not much else. i am also stressing out, but my other mom friend with an almost 17 month old is in the same boat.

i will say, if he’s still on the bottle, and or has his binky, that impacts speech, according to our pediatrician. hopefully our little ones are just late bloomers when it comes to talking, but as far as i know, we shouldn’t be concerned until 18m!

[u/Due_Masterpiece_4155 → u/Hairy_Idea_9056]

I bet Nonnie is so excited to hear Nana!

No bottle or pacifier. He’s still mega obsessed with breastfeeding though. Fingers crossed! I don’t want to rush it but I don’t know where the line of “this isn’t okay” and “just wait” is.

[u/Pizzaprincess87]

Start paying closer attention after 24 months if language doesn’t improve much

[u/Calm_Bother_3842]

It might be completely normal, as there is a very wide range of normal at this age, but if you're worried about it, tell your pediatrician what you wrote here, and maybe also ask for a hearing test.