As a parent, the first words from your baby and your baby’s first wobbly steps bring immense joy. In the corner of your heart, you also feel a sense of relief that your baby is on track with the developmental milestones. A few days off the charts and parents get anxious and worried. So, let’s delve deeper into child development and understand when you should consult a doctor if your baby isn’t walking or talking yet.
Development delays refer to a slower-than-expected pace at which a child reaches milestones when compared to their peers. It refers to delays in communication, cognitive skills, physical activities and also social skills. While there is no specific or definitive rule regarding the exact time a child must perform these activities, we generally look for a reasonable range of age-appropriate milestones. Let’s understand child development delays with specific reference to speech and physical activities like walking.
Delays in speech often worry parents who seek therapy earlier than necessary. However, understanding that each child is different is important. A child may say their first clear words as early as the 9th month, while some children may remain silent even after 15 months. So, what is normal for one child may not be the norm for another. However, understanding the different stages leading up to your baby’s first words can help you gauge your child’s speech development.
| Month | Sounds |
|---|---|
| 2 – 4 | Expressing vocal sounds of joy and cooing |
| 4 – 6 | Explores sounds with the mouth and tongue and may make single syllable sounds (ba, ta, da etc) |
| 6 – 8 | May vocalize early word forms that involve repeated sounds, such as mama, papa, dada |
| 8 – 10 | Understands the meaning of gestures and also words, and may try to mimic sounds |
| 10 – 12 | You may hear real words |
While this is only a generalized chart, each child follows their own developmental milestones. Your child’s pediatrician will assess your child during all the visits to the clinic. Whether you are visiting the pediatrician for a scheduled vaccination or a medical issue, the pediatrician will assess all your child’s developmental activities and advise you accordingly.
If you notice possible signs of a speech delay in your child, it’s best to meet with a pediatrician to understand the next steps. The pediatrician will run some tests like hearing tests, oral motor assessments, play-based evaluation and also language tests to determine the cause. Your doctor may also recommend additional tests to diagnose underlying health conditions that can affect speech development like autism, low birth weight and also learning disabilities.
Based on the test results, the doctor will suggest an appropriate course of action and may also refer your child to a dedicated speech therapist for a specialized treatment plan.
Another development milestone parents often look forward to is the child’s first steps. Before your child begins to walk, you will notice your baby trying to roll over, sit, crawl, and pull themselves up. All these milestones prepare your child to take their first steps. Generally, children start walking around 12 months, when the muscles in their legs are strong enough to support their body weight. However, the timeline may vary and children may start walking even around 14 months or after. If your baby is not walking at 18 months, it is always advisable to schedule an appointment with your child’s pediatrician for an appropriate assessment. Early intervention always promises better clinical outcomes.
If your baby is not walking within the broader timeframe, it could be due to several medical reasons or health conditions:
Visit your child’s pediatrician for a developmental screening. These tests will help the doctor assess the reason for the condition and prescribe appropriate treatment course.
For child development, visit only Kinder Hospitals in Whitefield. From pregnancy care and high-risk pregnancies to neonatal care and also developmental delay treatment, Kinder Hospitals is a name to reckon with. We have a team of the top pediatricians in Bangalore offering expert consultations, advanced diagnostics, and personalized treatment plans.
Schedule your appointment with our pediatricians today and receive comprehensive care for your child.
