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Baby Is 20 Months Old But Has Not Started Talking. What To Do?

Posted on Fri, 11 Oct 2013

Question: Hi
My baby is 20 months old now. He is not yet started talking. He says letters like ba. Ka. Etc.
do i need to do any tests for him. He responds to sound.

Thanks
XXXXX

Answered by Dr. Uma Rajah Ananth (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
hearing test mandatory as first line

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,

Yes usually boys talk little later than girl babies.

Some boys talk by 3 years also!!!!

He has to say by now a few more words.

You can do the following.

1 get his hearing tested

2 have a thyroid function blood test done.

3 talk to him frequently.

4 use one language all the time ( mother tongue) by all care givers.

5 use recorded kids nursery rhymes. In video or DVDs and let him listen.

6 I assume he is a normal child otherwise since birth( with no neonatal problems)!

Good luck

God bless

DrUma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Uma Rajah Ananth (35 hours later)

Thanks for the advice doctor. Hearing test is already done and it is normal.
I will get the thyroid test done and share the results with you.
Will surely try the other steps too

Thanks
XXXXX

Answered by Dr. Uma Rajah Ananth (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
good

Detailed Answer:
OK XXXXX,

All the best.

I am sure your child will soon tart talking and you will wonder when huge will stop!!!!!

This happens too often!!!!!

Keep trying and talking!

Grandparents will help a lot in this.

Dr Uma

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar