My 18-month-old talks very little: is it a delay?
⚡ Short answer: At 18 months, 5-6 words is at the lower end but still normal; if understanding is good and she adds new words each month, watching until 24 months is fine—if no words or understanding, get doctor and hearing tests.
Anonymous
18 aylık bebek annesi · Development
My baby is 18 months old but only says 5-6 words. Is this a language delay, should I wait or act?
Maiyko AI ADVISOR
The real reply from the in-app AI advisor
At 18 months, saying 5-6 words places your baby at the lower end of normal but still within the typical range. Language often has a growth spurt called the vocabulary explosion between 18-24 months, when most children's word count suddenly jumps.
Pay attention to what she *understands* more than what she says. If you say "get the ball" and she does it, if she responds to her name, if she points to familiar objects when you name them—her receptive language is strong, and expressive language usually catches up.
Here's what helps: talk face-to-face, read books together, name objects repeatedly, ask questions and wait for her to respond, and limit screen time—interaction, not passive watching, builds language.
If at 18 months she *doesn't understand* simple requests, has *no words at all* (not 5-6, but zero), or you suspect hearing issues, ask your pediatrician and get a hearing evaluation. But if her understanding is solid and she's adding a few new words each month, monitoring until 24 months is usually enough.
⚕️ Health note: This answer is for general information only; it is not medical advice. Every baby is different — for decisions about your baby's health, consult your pediatrician.
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