Speech & Communication

My Baby Is Losing Words or Skills

Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, PhD, CCC-SLP · Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist

Content reviewed against published CDC, AAP, AAP guidelines

Last reviewed: July 2026

Speech and communication milestones vary widely, and worries about is losing words or skills, here is what you need to know.

The short answer

Key takeaways

If your child was consistently using words and has truly stopped, this is something to act on promptly. Regression - the genuine loss of skills a child previously had - is different from a normal plateau or a toddler being too busy to talk, and it always warrants a conversation with your pediatrician sooner rather than later.
Usually normal when: Your baby said a word a few times and then seemed to forget it - this is common and usually represents experimentation rather than regression, especially if they're picking up other new skills.
Call your doctor if: Your child has clearly and consistently lost words they were previously using meaningfully - for example, they used to say "mama," "ball," and "dog" and no longer say any of them. Call your pediatrician this week.
Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below

Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.

What Parents Should Know

According to CDC, AAP guidelines, if your child was consistently using words and has truly stopped, this is something to act on promptly. Regression - the genuine loss of skills a child previously had - is different from a normal plateau or a toddler being too busy to talk, and it always warrants a conversation with your pediatrician sooner rather than later. At 12-15 months, it's common for babies this age to say a word a few times and then seem to "drop" it. In many cases, this isn't true regression - your baby may have been experimenting with the word and moved on, or they may be working hard on a motor skill and temporarily putting language on the back burner. True regression would mean your baby was using several words consistently and meaningfully and has stopped using all of them. If you're unsure which category your baby falls into, your pediatrician can help sort it out. It is generally considered normal when your baby said a word a few times and then seemed to forget it - this is common and usually represents experimentation rather than regression, especially if they're picking up other new skills. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your child has clearly and consistently lost words they were previously using meaningfully - for example, they used to say "mama," "ball," and "dog" and no longer say any of them. Call your pediatrician this week.

Sources: [1], [2], [3]

Normal vs. Concerning

Usually Normal

Worth Discussing

Your baby said a word a few times and then seemed to forget it - this is common and usually represents experimentation rather than regression, especially if they're picking up other new skills.

Your toddler is talking less during a period of intense motor development (learning to walk, for example) - some children temporarily focus their energy on one area at a time and bounce back.

Your child has lost language and social skills - they're not just talking less but also making less eye contact, pointing less, and seeming less connected to people. Request a developmental evaluation promptly.

Your child is using different words than before but the total number is stable or growing - swapping words is normal, losing them is different.

Your child has lost motor skills they previously had (could walk and now can't, could sit and now falls) - loss of motor skills can indicate a neurological issue and should be evaluated urgently.

Your toddler is going through a normal developmental phase of asserting independence and may be choosing not to perform on demand - "won't" is different from "can't."

Your child seems to have a smaller vocabulary than they did a month or two ago, and you're not sure if it's true loss or normal fluctuation - your pediatrician can help distinguish the two.

By Age

What to expect by age

12-15 months

It's common for babies this age to say a word a few times and then seem to "drop" it. In many cases, this isn't true regression - your baby may have been experimenting with the word and moved on, or they may be working hard on a motor skill and temporarily putting language on the back burner. True regression would mean your baby was using several words consistently and meaningfully and has stopped using all of them. If you're unsure which category your baby falls into, your pediatrician can help sort it out.

16-18 months

If your toddler had a vocabulary of several words and has stopped using them - not just using them less, but truly stopped - please reach out to your pediatrician. At this age, language should be growing, not shrinking. It may be something simple (like a prolonged ear infection affecting hearing), or it may be something that benefits from early evaluation. Either way, getting answers early is always better.

18-24 months

This is the age range where regression is most commonly noticed by parents. If your toddler is losing words, losing social engagement (less eye contact, less interest in people), or losing gestures they previously used, contact your pediatrician promptly. A comprehensive developmental evaluation, including a hearing test, is the right next step. You know your child best, and if something feels different, trust that instinct.

24-36 months

Loss of language or social skills at this age should always be evaluated. This is true even if the loss seems gradual. Talk to your pediatrician about a referral for a developmental evaluation and, if applicable, an audiology assessment. Early intervention services are available and effective, and there's no downside to getting evaluated - only peace of mind or a head start on support.

What to Tell Your Pediatrician

Describe when you first noticed is losing words or skills and how it has changed over time.
Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
Mention if your child seems to have a smaller vocabulary than they did a month or two ago, and you're not sure if it's true loss or normal fluctuation - your pediatrician can help distinguish the two.
Mention if your child is talking less and also seems less socially engaged - fewer smiles at people, less eye contact, less interest in interactive games.
Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.

What Should You Do?

When to take action

Probably normal when...

Your baby said a word a few times and then seemed to forget it - this is common and usually represents experimentation rather than regression, especially if they're picking up other new skills.
Your toddler is talking less during a period of intense motor development (learning to walk, for example) - some children temporarily focus their energy on one area at a time and bounce back.
Your child is using different words than before but the total number is stable or growing - swapping words is normal, losing them is different.
Your toddler is going through a normal developmental phase of asserting independence and may be choosing not to perform on demand - "won't" is different from "can't."

Mention at your next visit when...

Your child seems to have a smaller vocabulary than they did a month or two ago, and you're not sure if it's true loss or normal fluctuation - your pediatrician can help distinguish the two.
Your child is talking less and also seems less socially engaged - fewer smiles at people, less eye contact, less interest in interactive games.

Act now when...

Your child has clearly and consistently lost words they were previously using meaningfully - for example, they used to say "mama," "ball," and "dog" and no longer say any of them. Call your pediatrician this week.
Your child has lost language and social skills - they're not just talking less but also making less eye contact, pointing less, and seeming less connected to people. Request a developmental evaluation promptly.
Your child has lost motor skills they previously had (could walk and now can't, could sit and now falls) - loss of motor skills can indicate a neurological issue and should be evaluated urgently.

What You Can Do at Home

Keep track of when you notice is losing words or skills — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
Remember that your baby said a word a few times and then seemed to forget it - this is common and usually represents experimentation rather than regression, especially if they're picking up other new skills — this is generally within the range of normal.
At 12-15 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
Talk, read, and sing to your baby frequently. Narrate daily activities to build language exposure.
While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your child has clearly and consistently lost words they were previously using meaningfully - for example, they used to say "mama," "ball," and "dog" and no longer say any of them. Call your pediatrician this week.

Milestone

Milestone Checklists by Age

Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.

Milestone

Month-by-Month Development

Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.

Guide

When to Call the Doctor

General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.

Frequently asked questions

Is is losing words or skills normal?

When should I call the doctor about is losing words or skills?

Your child has clearly and consistently lost words they were previously using meaningfully - for example, they used to say "mama," "ball," and "dog" and no longer say any of them. Call your pediatrician this week. Your child has lost language and social skills - they're not just talking less but also making less eye contact, pointing less, and seeming less connected to people. Request a developmental evaluation promptly. Your child has lost motor skills they previously had (could walk and now can't, could sit and now falls) - loss of motor skills can indicate a neurological issue and should be evaluated urgently.

When is is losing words or skills normal?

Your baby said a word a few times and then seemed to forget it - this is common and usually represents experimentation rather than regression, especially if they're picking up other new skills. Your toddler is talking less during a period of intense motor development (learning to walk, for example) - some children temporarily focus their energy on one area at a time and bounce back. Your child is using different words than before but the total number is stable or growing - swapping words is normal, losing them is different.

What causes is losing words or skills?

If your child was consistently using words and has truly stopped, this is something to act on promptly. Regression - the genuine loss of skills a child previously had - is different from a normal plateau or a toddler being too busy to talk, and it always warrants a conversation with your pediatrician sooner rather than later. Common explanations include: Your baby said a word a few times and then seemed to forget it - this is common and usually represents experimentation rather than regression, especially if they're picking up other new skills.. Your toddler is talking less during a period of intense motor development (learning to walk, for example) - some children temporarily focus their energy on one area at a time and bounce back..

What should I mention to my pediatrician about is losing words or skills?

You should mention is losing words or skills at your next visit if: Your child seems to have a smaller vocabulary than they did a month or two ago, and you're not sure if it's true loss or normal fluctuation - your pediatrician can help distinguish the two.. Your child is talking less and also seems less socially engaged - fewer smiles at people, less eye contact, less interest in interactive games..

Is is losing words or skills normal at 12-15 months?

Is is losing words or skills normal at 16-18 months?

Should I go to the ER for is losing words or skills?

Seek emergency care if your child has clearly and consistently lost words they were previously using meaningfully - for example, they used to say "mama," "ball," and "dog" and no longer say any of them. Call your pediatrician this week, or if your child has lost language and social skills - they're not just talking less but also making less eye contact, pointing less, and seeming less connected to people. Request a developmental evaluation promptly. When in doubt, call your pediatrician's after-hours line for guidance.

Does is losing words or skills go away on its own?

In many cases, is losing words or skills resolves on its own, especially when your baby said a word a few times and then seemed to forget it - this is common and usually represents experimentation rather than regression, especially if they're picking up other new skills. By 24-36 months, loss of language or social skills at this age should always be evaluated. This is true even if the loss seems gradual. Talk to your pediatrician about a referral for a developmental evaluation and, if applicable, an audiology assessment. Early intervention services are available and effective, and there's no downside to getting evaluated - only peace of mind or a head start on support.

CDC AAP AAP

References

[1]CDC - If You're Concerned: Act Early - Loss of skills at any age should be discussed with a healthcare provider CDC
[2]American Academy of Pediatrics - Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Clinical Report 2020) AAP
[3]American Academy of Pediatrics - Understanding Regression in Autism Spectrum Disorder AAP

Doctor Visit Checklist

Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Is Losing Words or Skills.

Things to mention

Describe when you first noticed is losing words or skills and how it has changed over time.
Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
Mention if your child seems to have a smaller vocabulary than they did a month or two ago, and you're not sure if it's true loss or normal fluctuation - your pediatrician can help distinguish the two.
Mention if your child is talking less and also seems less socially engaged - fewer smiles at people, less eye contact, less interest in interactive games.
Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.

Observations to share

Your child seems to have a smaller vocabulary than they did a month or two ago, and you're not sure if it's true loss or normal fluctuation - your pediatrician can help distinguish the two.
Your child is talking less and also seems less socially engaged - fewer smiles at people, less eye contact, less interest in interactive games.

Urgent signs to report immediately

Your child has clearly and consistently lost words they were previously using meaningfully - for example, they used to say "mama," "ball," and "dog" and no longer say any of them. Call your pediatrician this week.
Your child has lost language and social skills - they're not just talking less but also making less eye contact, pointing less, and seeming less connected to people. Request a developmental evaluation promptly.
Your child has lost motor skills they previously had (could walk and now can't, could sit and now falls) - loss of motor skills can indicate a neurological issue and should be evaluated urgently.

My notes

From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides

All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.

2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members

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Bottom line

Most cases of is losing words or skills are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your child has clearly and consistently lost words they were previously using meaningfully - for example, they used to say "mama," "ball," and "dog" and no longer say any of them. call your pediatrician this week.

Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.

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