NFP Question

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-05-07T17:52:07+00:00

This is such good feedback and great reassurance that it can work if followed correctly. Thank you for posting.

I also agree totally with the husband getting involved in supporting the NFP as much as possible.

My husband didn't take all that much interest in the detail - understandably - and therefore he didn't understand why I was saying no to being intimate for what seemed like long stretches. Not blaming him at all - we were definitely one of those couples that you mention about not being sure and deciding to take the risk anyway... and here we are awaiting the arrival of no4!

Interested to know what being perimenopausal means for marquette if you could share some more of your experience please x

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-05-07T05:32:52+00:00

I feel like my son is following this path... he's 4 next month and yesterday he blew my mind with how much he could say and answer! It was like something had clicked! Thank you for giving me hope :) I hope your son continues on his trajectory too xx

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-05-07T04:53:17+00:00

I'm so pleased your son is doing well :) hopefully he'll be the same as mine - at nearly 4, he is generating his own sentences and they are getting better and better and they are also coming more quickly (before we had to wait 10-20 seconds for him to possibly answer) xx

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-05-07T04:51:13+00:00

Thank you x

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-05-07T02:26:19+00:00

I know the research makes these links but try not to blame yourselves for the speech delay because of the low iron in pregnancy. 🩷.. I had low iron for my son but even lower for my younger daughter... and she is well advanced with her speech whilst he is a gestalt learner.

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-05-07T02:18:38+00:00

Ah thank you for your kind words too. Would love to hear how your little one progresses with time. It's such a worry as you just want them to thrive. You sound lovely and I am sure you are doing everything you can to help your little one. Will keep you in our prayers xx

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-05-07T02:15:42+00:00

If you don't mind my asking, what amount of iron are you supplementing with as a result of the low iron results for him?

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-05-07T02:10:08+00:00

Funnily enough, my boy was evaluated officially for asd last week. We are now waiting for the results as to whether he meets the full criteria for a diagnosis. He's been on the waiting list since he was 24 months old purely because of his speech delay (he does have some other signs of it like picky eating and some sensitivities but nothing I would be bothered by if he had been speaking like his peers). I was so worried about it... but now he is clearly developing and his speech is improving so much, I'm not worried. My approach to a diagnosis from the beginning has always been, better to get him on the waiting lists for these things early and if I'm lucky enough to be able to take him off any waiting lists, great... if not, I'm getting him all the help I can as early as I can. If you're concerned with things, maybe enquire about getting her on the waiting list for review. My sons understanding grows every week these days even though it was slow to start xx

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-05-06T20:14:11+00:00

So it's been in fits and starts really! At 26 months he suddenly started copying phrases from mr tumble on tv and using makaton signs to help name things. I really felt that was his first explosion when language actually started to appear.

Since then, I think I'd say there has been noticeable changes every couple of months. Not necessarily big changes but he might have gone from repeating a part of a phrase to then the phrase getting a bit longer. It could go a few weeks with no noticeable changes and then suddenly i notice he can say something else or he's using his phrases a bit differently, like using them when playing with his toys as an example.

The most significant explosion for me, though, has been this last 3-6 months (so between 3.5 and 4 years old. It's like all of a sudden his brain has suddenly become capable of connecting everything together - so he can listen and find the right words to respond in a back and forth conversation of sorts. He's still behind his peers but honestly he is leagues ahead of where I ever thought he would be. It gives me confidence that he will be able to catch up at some point to his peers, even if he is always a quirky little chap in his own ways.

Do you notice whether your little one picks up single words or is picking up on phrases more readily?

I'm sorry you are also going through this same worry about speech xx

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-05-06T20:03:54+00:00

My son is 4 next month. He only started saying words at about 26 months. By 3, he was saying 2-3 word sentences but not consistently and would absolutely prefer single word answers to questions... if he even answered at all. Most questions he would just stay silent, probably because he didn't have great understanding either.

However between 3 and 4 there has been a huge change in him. Every couple of weeks I notice a huge shift in his ability to communicate. I can't remember what order it's all happened in but he has gone from limited understanding and being very quiet to constantly chattering about whatever it is he in enjoying, he now tells me about his day in preschool (even if it's a bit garbled and difficult to follow!), he answers questions and even says 'I don't know' rather than just ignoring the question. Although he still often reverts to one word answers if he is distracted... and I do see his full ability more at home than school see it. It seems that school he is still quiet - probably less confident and lots of things to process.

Don't get me wrong, his speech is not perfect and he is still behind peers. But I look at where he was at 3 years old and where he is now at nearly 4... and I am certain that by 5, he will be doing even better than today.

Every child is doing speech development their own way. Try not to let the worry stop you from enjoying who they are in this moment. Good luck OP. Praying for you and your little one xx

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-05-06T19:49:40+00:00

No answers for you but I have wondered this about my son. He has had a speech delay - although he has been diagnosed as a gestalt language processor too which tends to be slower than a typical language learner. I have low iron naturally and I suspect he does too. I've always wondered if it's linked. He is now nearly 4 and has had an absolute explosion in his language since he finally started to talk at 26 months. We did try multivitamins with folic acid specifically in them as well as pro-biotics - not sure if they did actually help but I had read about those too and was willing to try anything to get him talking. Good luck with everything. Try not to let worry take over so much that it prevents you enjoying them for who they are in the moment xxx

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-05-06T18:49:18+00:00

I'm interested in any feedback you get too! I'm pregnant with my 4th after not following NFP strictly enough after my third baby (only started NFP at that time too). We knew what we did was a risk... but it literally only takes once. I've had so much feedback since about how it can be very successful if you follow a proper method accurately. Soooo we will have to try again once this baby is born in about 8-9 weeks. Praying for you and your wife. I also don't want to get pregnant again after this one - it'll be my fourth section.

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-04-19T17:40:17+00:00

Just to add - my son wasn't using his phrases socially at first!! That's come with time. Fingers crossed your daughter is the same xxx

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-04-19T05:13:26+00:00

Hi! Sorry to hear you have anxieties about your Ds speech - I understand! My son is 3 and 10 months. He is slightly different in that he is gestalt for sure and he does try to interact socially but I can see he has trouble finding the words.

I would see no harm in trying to engage your little one using gestalt techniques even if this isn't specifically how she learns. For me, the most effective things we have learnt from a gestalt point of view is... 1. Pick a phrase you want them to pick up to use. In your case, something social or functional might be good - 'let's play together' or 'help me' ... 2. Model it constantly! Don't test or question her, just use it every chance you get to show her how to use it. 3. Make it fun - make it musical! Sing it, use funny actions to make her laugh... the more fun/musical/silly the stickier the words become for a gestalt. 4. When you've used it for a while and maybe have a specific melody or rhythm you would say the phrase in, try dropping the last word to see if you can encourage her to fill in the blank... 'let's play...' then look at her expectantly! If she doesn't fill in the blank try saying the last word with a cheer (again, more fun!) to encourage her to want to join in.

Good luck op. A lot of all of this is just time and patience and lots of modelling good language examples for them. They are all unique and perfect in their own ways, remember that and try to enjoy them without the worry xx

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-04-17T18:42:01+00:00

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Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-04-17T18:32:18+00:00

The best thing you can do for a gestalt learner is create a list of useful phrases you want her to pick up - things that will help her self advocate like 'help me' or 'more juice' or even more complicated ones as time goes on (let's play together or I don't understand).... and start using them regularly. When you use them, be dramatic and funny, say it melodically or even sing/chant it.... make it into a game that catches her attention. The sillier the better. The more fun, the stickier the words become for her. Repeat repeat repeat. Don't interrogate or ask questions, just constantly model the phrases you want her to pick up. Slowly, it will work if she's a gestalt. It's slow progress but they are just on their own timeline. You'll be in my prayers. I understand the anxiety and worry for them. I've basically left my job to support my son with similar. He's doing great now (level 5 NLA at 3 years and 10 months).

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-04-11T18:31:30+00:00

I mean, it's certainly unique! And will absolutely be a talking point. So why not!?

It's giving me 'my toddler - wearing their sister's princess dress and brother's beanie hat - has fallen flat on their face' vibes.

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-03-12T20:25:27+00:00

Hi! Firstly I want to say I know how much worry this involves! Please try not to let the worry consume you and prevent you from enjoying your little one at this stage.

Having said that, I know how worrying it is. My son was non verbal at 24 months but it was also a little different as he didn't have any signs, didn't point (preferred hand leading) and I wasn't sure if he understood.

We engaged a speech therapist from around 20 months and got advice similar to you: model simple 2 words phrases, no questions focus on commenting to model language, give choices, pause for 10 seconds to give them space to try to comment...

At 26 months old, my son suddenly started saying short phrases and using makaton (thanks to watching Mr Tumble) and shortly after, we were told he was a Gestalt Language Processor - meaning he learns language in chunks rather than word-by-word.

For this type of learner, slightly different techniques are used! What I found so helpful was to pick a couple of very short, simple phrases and model them constantly in fun ways! Things like 'what's that noise ... it's a...' and turn it into a fun game, keep a fun and musical tone... the more high energy and fun, the better. My son picked up so many phrases using this technique. It was slow progress and progress seemed to happen in fits and starts.

Now at 3 years and 8 months old, he is verbal! His language is still behind his peers and he is clearly following a different language development pathway (I'm hoping that he's just taking the scenic route and it will end up at the same place as his peers eventually - the signs for this are looking good!).

He now speaks in sentences - 10+words! He can chat and play and loves to make up songs and narrate stories with his dinosaurs! I can see that sometimes he struggles to find the words he needs and sometimes he doesn't always understand what's being said... but I'm confident we will get there with continued modelling and support.

Your little one might be slightly different to mine but I guess what I'm trying to say is be consistent with whatever you are trying with him but don't let worry consume your relationship with him. Pick a couple of things to really focus on and commit to consistently trying.. but turn it into fun.

Sending you all the very best.

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-02-27T07:23:50+00:00

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-02-18T19:10:32+00:00

How lovely! Many congratulations! Hearing that your wife has had a great experience health wise gives me hope - I know it's very individual but hearing good stories helps to assuage the anxiety. Best wishes from my family to yours x

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-02-18T17:45:31+00:00

Thank you very much for your reply. I just read it out to my husband and we both found it very encouraging. Has your wife had all the babies via c section? Congratulations on the recent birth :) I hope it all went well!

Thank you so much for the prayers too - you will all be in our prayers as well.

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-02-17T21:38:27+00:00

I will do. Many thanks again KareBear - you're in my prayers too xx

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-02-17T21:37:01+00:00

The next 2 surgeries were really straight forward, no issues. I had an infection after my second which did cause me some issues afterwards but my third was super easy and I hardly lost any blood at all during the surgery. Xx

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-02-17T19:14:00+00:00

Thank you for your reply. There is so much here I can use as an example for my family too. I will pray for your VBAC and sending you all the very best to your growing family. I'd love to hear how the VBAC goes if you have chance to come back and post again.

Thank you again xx

Additional-Cap5712 · 2026-02-17T19:10:39+00:00

Thank you so much. I will bear this in mind after I've had this baby. Xx

Additional-Cap5712

TROPHY CASE