[nik_907]

So I was just going over the threads and came across a speaking thread and was shocked to realize my son doesn't speak so many words. He is currently 21 months old.

so far he says 4 words correctly. mama, dada,ball, car. He says apple but it more sounds of dapple to me. He hums alot too making the sound out of words. We have a bird and I sound words out usually b-b-b-ird and so far he's getting the b-b-b down.

Am I doing something wrong? Not reading enough to him? I talk to him throughout the day but sometimes not so much talking I guess - I am sahm alone for 2 weeks out of the month.

Any suggestions? He still uses a pacifier although I try to take it away from hi during the day and keep it for night time and car rides only but every now and then gets way with it from time to time being in and I can't stand it! When should I wean (sp?) him off? Could this be affecting him as well?

Thanks for any advice mama.s

 

[verde]

Kids develop at different rates. I will guess that your DS will go through a language explosion soon and suddenly say lots of words.

I don't think the pacifier has anything to do with it. My DD used a binky all the time until about 4 months ago. Now she uses it to sleep and in the car. Her preschool teacher told me that DD has a broad vocabulary for her age. Relax.

 

[Violet2]

My understanding is that pacifiers can be a problem, but our DD is so oral that I feel I have to use it if I don't want her to eat her books, carpet lint, dog hair etc... So for now we use it and I don't worry about it. Her brain is still working and absorbing, her mouth will catch up in time.

V

 

[Nolamom]

DD used a pacifier until 3.5 yo. She was an extremely early talker. Was speaking in full sentences at an early age.
DS is 23 mos. and still uses a pacifier. He's been alot slower to develop speech. Says many words now, but only one syllable or part of them. Chee is cheese, mo is more, that type of thing. And no two word combos, yet.
I think it's individual development and not related to the pacifier. (Although the pacifier has got to make some sounds more difficult, like "th" and "s".)
FWIW, both of my kids have had unrestricted access to their pacifiers. DD gave hers up on her own. First during the day and then also at night shortly after her 3rd birthday. I plan to do the same with DS - let him give it up when he's ready. He's already using it alot less than DD did at this age.

ETA: a couple of months ago my DS was only saying a few words, like yours. he has had a language "burst" recently and now says countless words (or at least a portion of them!)
I have also read that a parent can encourage speech by talking about whatever they're doing. "Let's change your diaper. First we'll get the wipes" or "I'm going to pour some water in your cup". I've been trying to keep a running dialogue going and think it has helped.

 

[blue butterfly]

dd is 25 months, uses a pacifier and has many words and has been talking in sentences since well before she was 2, so imho the pacifier doesn't delay speech. your lo is probably just fine and will begin speaking more when he is ready, which i'll bet will be very soon

 

[nik_907]

Thank you ladies, I know I got a little worked up about it. I'm pregnant with #2 so maybe the hormones are restling about.

After thinking about it - I do speak to him throughout the day I guess I just don't sit down and have a full blown conversation with him all day everyday type of thing. But I explain what we are doing so hopefully he understands. He knows what bath/shower is or sleepy time. Or when I say peoples names he gets excited. He also knows a few more words than I realized (ha go figure) So I'm sure your all right when it comes to his explosion.

I really appreciate the info and encouragement!

 

[azmomtoone]

......no advice on the speech thing, but if you really are tired of the pacifier; I've heard of people tieing ribbons on them and leaving them in the backyard for all the "baby reindeer" on christmas eve, with older toddlers helping out so they're excited about giving the pacis to the baby reindeer, instead of being mad about them being taken away. Right time of year for it. Just a random thought.

 

[Llyra]

My DD1 used a pacifier at night until her 4th birthday. Anyway, she talks up a STORM-- never stops from morning until night. And my DD2 is a pacifier addict, and she is 21 months and talks fine in single words and two-word phrases. My DS, on the other hand, has never taken a pacifier at all, and he's similar to your DC-- says a tiny handful of words at 21 months, and that's it. Maybe five or six words total. So in our case, the paci=delayed speed thing doesn't hold up.

I don't think you can blame it on the paci. I think each child has their individual timetable for language development, and it'll come. When DD1 was evaluated at 19 months, I was told that the red flags were no words at all by 18 months, and no two-word phrases by 25 months.

If you want to start limiting the paci, you can start like you said by restricting it to bed and car, but you have to be consistent to get them to stop asking for it at other times. This is what I did with DD1. I haven't limited it with DD2 because quite frankly occasionally during the day I'm GLAD for a bit of peace and quiet.

 

[mytwogirls]

We had this conversation about a month ago and DH and I both noticed how our 17 month old talks WAY better than our 2.5 year old, speech wise and the younger one does not use a binkie while my oldest MUST have three binkies at all times (one in mouth and one in each hand

) I don't know if it is coincidence or not though.