I was told that about Lyta. I was told that about Sam - and given half a chance they would tell me to take Harry to one too. Only way to shut Lyta up now is to give her something to stick in her mouth! Even then she talks incessantly between bites.
Your boy is unique. Embrace that. He'll be talking away like normal by the time he hits school - they always are. When he does, be your own speech therapist as as cute as it will sound when they say adorable things, correct them on their enunciation. Haz says Wunbo Warepans instead of Spongebob Squarepants. I find it so freaking adorable - but I never repeat it back to him else thats reinforcing it. Dont use his baby words when he starts using them and everything will come out in the wash. You'd be surprised how much interest they really do show in getting it right - Once they start. Until they are ready to though, its just a waste of time trying to force it out of them.
I must be another one - DD is 22 mths, (9 weeks prem) and she only really said:
Dadda
Bubby
Pretty
Bye Bye
Ta (sort of)
Mumum
But she understands commands like "close the door", "put it back please", "do you want your juice", "wheres the dogs?" etc. And she looks and points at things in interest too.
I'm not worried about it at all, if she gets to three with little improvement then we'll look into it, but I see vast improvements daily with what she can do / understand, so I know she's still developing.
Sometimes I think there are so many books telling us what our babies 'should' be doing by a certain age, we freak out when ours is lagging behind. I know one book in particular tells you you should be worried if your toddler isn't doing XYZ and take your DS / DD to a specialist! I know in some issues kids do have an underlying problem, sometimes they just need a nudge too etc...
Oh! Leesa Nailed it! Does he follow commands well? Does he yell everything? The first worry by everyone in speech development is hearing issues. Thats why people kept thinking Lyta has a problem. She doesnt use an inside voice at all and completely ignores instructions - but you say softly that you are going to give them all a chocolate biscuit and she'll come running from the next room for hers. If you are worried, get his ears checked out. It can be a warning signal for ear issues. Usually its nothing but no harm in asking a Doctor to have a look.
He is understanding everything. I ask him to bring me a duck in th bath, and he shuffles over (knows not to stand in the bath) and gives me one of his rubber duckys... he understands most things we say to him. If there is someone singing on tv, (He loves singing) he will run from anywhere in the house to see it.
He had his hearing tested before he left hospital, and it was ok. He was a premmie, and it's one of the things they look for. And before anyone says it... he has completely caught up and overtaken in all areas, so it's not that he's just a bit behind.
I'm trying some of the things you mentioned, well... paying concious effort to them, Tenar. Thanks. It's appreciated. As are all the coments and sugestions form you wonderfull people. Fingers crossed for all of us
Then I'd imagine its all good. I tend to think Lyta just didnt bother speaking because I was very good at reading her visual cues. She didnt have to fight to get my attention because she always had it. A really good starting point is in the instance where they bring you their cup - or in Harrys case, drag you to the kitchen and push you at the fridge! Ask "Would you like a drink"? Start the rapport. At first he'll probably nod. Talk through the process. With formula I would count the scoops and then sing the "Shake shake shake" song - replacing booty with bottle, obviously. I tend to think that verbalising the processes and talking to them like you would anyone else just encourages them to verbalise too.
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