Baby's First words...Normal or not?

[PeacefulWarrior]

Hi everyone!  I'd like to introduce myself (or rather reintroduce myself...I used to be a real regular, in fact I was once a moderator here, now I am just a tired old hack...actually, I gave up my post due to a busy career and a new baby) and ask a question.

My beautiful son (see my pathetic myspace page for photos, if you must:  www.myspace.com/dannytodd) Carter Daniel was born last Dec., on the 14th to be exact.  That makes him about ten and a half months old now.

My question is this: Carter has not started talking yet.  He is a dynamic little guy who makes a lot of noise, plays with things, is social, etc.  His doctor calls him "smart" as I' sure she does every little baby she sees (actually, I think she really means it, but I have a vested interest in this being the case of course).  So he's no dummy.  The fact is, however, that I am concerned.  When do babies start talking?  I know the answer: it varies.  The reason I am concerned is that in my wife's little pregnancy book it says something along the lines of, "At this point in your baby's life [10.5 months old]  your baby will be saying new things..."  I'm like, "New things!  What NEW things!  He hasn't talked yet!!!"

Of course I ask this with my tongue firmly in cheek, but in reality I am a little concerned only in that I expect this kid to be a genius like his mom and dad...especially his dad!

So I'm calling on you old timers to tell me, "Oh, my son's a rocket scientist and he didn't talk until he was 15!"  or recount for me again the story of Einsteins latent speaking abilities!

Much love,

Danny

[Namra]

Maybe your son plans on being one of those silent Clint Eastwood types.  J/K

I wouldn't worry if I were you.  Even if he could never speak (which I am not saying he will) he will still be your son and who is.  We are unique in our own ways.  Your son will become his own person and you will have to accept that.

[xsamurai]

I never talked tell I was 3

[Kazbadan]

I thought that the normal age was 12 months..but cant be sure. Why u dont ask to your doctor AND other doctors?

So, you have a baby now, good for you

I thought that i would never see you again...many people here in AP forums is "disapearing"....

Welcome back

[James S]

Hey Dan,
It's great to see you back! Glad to here all is well with your family.  

"New things" typically means new noises.

Whatever you do, don't fret if your baby doesn't behave "according to the books". Baby books take the averages from a set of observations. They never take into account all the variances in behavious from one child to the next. I've known so many new parents get stressed because their baby isn't operating according to the manual.  

Boys typically tend to be a little slower at talking. My son (second born) was a lot slower to start talking than my daughter, by about 6 - 8 months.
It depends a great deal on how much you verbaly interact with your baby too.

My nephew (in law) at two could barely come out with dada & muma. His mother is one of those "self absorbed and self important" types, that hasn't made much of a commitment at all to teaching her son anything. At the same time, a good friend who is very much dedicated to her daughter's upbringing has her two year old almost speaking in full coherent sentences.

Blessings,
James.

[Kazbadan]

Singing with childs and playing a lot with them will improve largely their speech. They learn while singing (and they are happy, and thats very important too).

Dancing and playing with objects (like the big LEGOs- dont know if there are legos for kids with 10 months) and building toys wil develop neural conections.

What i say is theory because i dont have kids

(but i work with childrens and i needed to study these things in the past).