No Words at 15 Months
Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, PhD, CCC-SLP · Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Content reviewed against published AAP, ASHA, CDC guidelines
Last reviewed:
Speech and communication milestones vary widely, and worries about no words at 15 months, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
While most babies say their first words between 10 and 14 months, some do not produce recognizable words until 15 to 18 months. If your 15-month-old is babbling with varied sounds, using gestures to communicate, and understanding words you say, they may simply be a late talker. However, no words by 15 months warrants a conversation with your pediatrician.
Key takeaways
- While most babies say their first words between 10 and 14 months, some do not produce recognizable words until 15 to 18 months. If your 15-month-old is babbling with varied sounds, using gestures to communicate, and understanding words you say, they may simply be a late talker. However, no words by 15 months warrants a conversation with your pediatrician.
- Usually normal when: Your 15-month-old babbles with varied sounds and uses gestures like pointing, reaching, and waving
- Call your doctor if: Your child had words and has lost them, which requires immediate evaluation
- 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 AAP, ASHA, CDC guidelines, while most babies say their first words between 10 and 14 months, some do not produce recognizable words until 15 to 18 months. If your 15-month-old is babbling with varied sounds, using gestures to communicate, and understanding words you say, they may simply be a late talker. However, no words by 15 months warrants a conversation with your pediatrician. At 9-12 months, most babies produce their first word between 10 and 14 months. Before words appear, babies typically use jargon babbling, gestures like pointing and waving, and show clear understanding of familiar words and phrases. It is generally considered normal when your 15-month-old babbles with varied sounds and uses gestures like pointing, reaching, and waving. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your child had words and has lost them, which requires immediate evaluation.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
9-12 months
Most babies produce their first word between 10 and 14 months. Before words appear, babies typically use jargon babbling, gestures like pointing and waving, and show clear understanding of familiar words and phrases.
12-14 months
The average baby has 1 to 3 words by their first birthday, but there is wide variation. Some babies who are not yet talking at 12 months have strong comprehension and gesture use, which are positive signs. Others may need monitoring more closely.
14-16 months
By 15 months, the absence of any words becomes more noteworthy. Your pediatrician should assess whether comprehension, gesture use, and social engagement are on track. If these other areas are strong, your child may catch up on their own, but monitoring is important.
16-18 months
If no words have emerged by 16 to 18 months, a speech-language evaluation is recommended. Early intervention during this period can make a significant difference. Many late talkers who receive support catch up well.
18-24 months
Children who are still not using words by 18 months benefit from a comprehensive evaluation including hearing testing, speech-language assessment, and developmental screening. The earlier support begins, the better the outcomes.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed no words at 15 months 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 is 15 months with no recognizable words and limited babbling variety.
- Mention if your child is 15 months with no words and does not use gestures to communicate.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your 15-month-old babbles with varied sounds and uses gestures like pointing, reaching, and waving
- Your child understands many words and follows simple directions even without speaking yet
- Your child uses sounds and gestures intentionally to communicate wants and needs
- Your child was born premature and is on track for their adjusted age
- Your child is 15 months with no recognizable words and limited babbling variety
- Your child is 15 months with no words and does not use gestures to communicate
- Your child does not seem to understand common words or respond to simple directions
- Your child had words and has lost them, which requires immediate evaluation
- Your child has no words, no gestures, no babbling, and limited social engagement by 15 months
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice no words at 15 months — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your 15-month-old babbles with varied sounds and uses gestures like pointing, reaching, and waving — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 9-12 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 had words and has lost them, which requires immediate evaluation.
Related Conditions
My Child Is a Late Talker
Late talkers are children who have fewer than 50 words or aren't combining words by age 2, but are developing normally in other areas. About half of late talkers catch up on their own by age 3, but the other half go on to have lasting language delays. Early evaluation and speech therapy can make a big difference, so it's worth acting even if you're told to "wait and see."
Baby Only Has One Word at 12 Months
At 12 months, most babies have 1 to 3 recognizable words, so having just one word is within the normal range. What matters most is whether your baby is also using gestures, understanding words, and babbling with varied sounds. These skills together predict healthy language development.
Toddler Only Has a Few Words at 18 Months
By 18 months, most toddlers have between 10 and 50 words, though there is wide variation. Having fewer than 10 words at 18 months may indicate a child is a "late talker." If your toddler understands language well, uses gestures, and is socially engaged, many late talkers catch up. However, a speech evaluation at this age can provide guidance and early support if needed.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
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 no words at 15 months normal?
When should I call the doctor about no words at 15 months?
When is no words at 15 months normal?
What causes no words at 15 months?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about no words at 15 months?
Is no words at 15 months normal at 9-12 months?
Is no words at 15 months normal at 12-14 months?
Should I go to the ER for no words at 15 months?
Does no words at 15 months go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss No Words at 15 Months.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed no words at 15 months 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 is 15 months with no recognizable words and limited babbling variety.
- Mention if your child is 15 months with no words and does not use gestures to communicate.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your child is 15 months with no recognizable words and limited babbling variety
- Your child is 15 months with no words and does not use gestures to communicate
- Your child does not seem to understand common words or respond to simple directions
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your child had words and has lost them, which requires immediate evaluation
- Your child has no words, no gestures, no babbling, and limited social engagement by 15 months
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
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of no words at 15 months are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your child had words and has lost them, which requires immediate evaluation.
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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Related Speech Concerns
My Child Is a Late Talker
Late talkers are children who have fewer than 50 words or aren't combining words by age 2, but are developing normally in other areas. About half of late talkers catch up on their own by age 3, but the other half go on to have lasting language delays. Early evaluation and speech therapy can make a big difference, so it's worth acting even if you're told to "wait and see."
Baby Only Has One Word at 12 Months
At 12 months, most babies have 1 to 3 recognizable words, so having just one word is within the normal range. What matters most is whether your baby is also using gestures, understanding words, and babbling with varied sounds. These skills together predict healthy language development.
Toddler Only Has a Few Words at 18 Months
By 18 months, most toddlers have between 10 and 50 words, though there is wide variation. Having fewer than 10 words at 18 months may indicate a child is a "late talker." If your toddler understands language well, uses gestures, and is socially engaged, many late talkers catch up. However, a speech evaluation at this age can provide guidance and early support if needed.
Accent vs Speech Disorder in Bilingual Toddlers
When toddlers grow up hearing more than one language, they naturally blend sounds, patterns, and accents from both languages. This is normal and healthy, not a speech disorder. A bilingual child may pronounce some sounds differently than monolingual peers because they are learning the sound systems of two languages simultaneously. True speech disorders affect both languages equally, while accent influence appears only in specific sounds borrowed from one language to another.
Ear Fluid Affecting Baby's Speech Development
Chronic or recurrent middle ear fluid (otitis media with effusion) can temporarily reduce hearing by 15 to 40 decibels, which is like hearing through water. During critical periods of language learning, this muffled hearing can impact speech and language development. If your baby has frequent ear infections or persistent fluid, discuss the potential speech impact with your pediatrician.
Will Ear Tubes Help My Child's Speech?
Ear tubes (tympanostomy tubes) can restore normal hearing by draining persistent fluid from the middle ear. Many children show speech and language improvement within weeks to months after tube placement, particularly if hearing loss from fluid was contributing to their speech delay. However, ear tubes alone may not resolve all speech delays, and some children benefit from speech therapy alongside tube placement.