Is Your Baby a Late Bloomer?

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According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), by 1 year, most babies will say at least one word, and by 18 months to 2 years old, they typically learn about one new word every week.1 That said, these are averages, which means some kids will hit this milestone sooner while others will hit it later.

Reasons for late language in babies

Language delays are not uncommon. According to the AAP, late language development is the most common delay, affecting 1 in 5 children.1 That's because communicating is complicated, says Pamela High, MD, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island.

Language development requires understanding and speaking, and these skills develop differently. Receptive language (understanding) must happen first and usually comes before expressive language (speaking) by half a year. So if, for instance, your toddler can point to their nose when you ask them to, that's a sign that their language skills are developing, even if they are not yet talking.

Barry Zuckerman, MD, professor and chair of pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine says that if your child is behind with expressive language, the first thing a health care provider is likely to check is your child's hearing. And Dr. High reassures, "Lack of early language doesn't mean that your child won't be bright." Albert Einstein, for one, didn't speak until well after his second birthday.