Newborns are exceptional learners. The babies can convey their messages with distinct sounds, particular actions, and different words. One of the most expected milestones for parents is hearing their babies say their first word or phrase. Usually, parents expect that the term will be “Mama” or “Dada.” But when do babies say, Mama? Apart from this, we will also consider when do babies say dada. Enjoy managing your baby’s growth and find the world of speech.

When Do Babies Say, Mama or Dada

This article will answer typical queries about when babies start saying Mama or Dada.

1- Speech Development Stages

Once babies start walking, you need to consider speech development stages. These are general practices of children. It helps them learn to convey sounds, terms, and sentences. These steps vary depending on the particular child and the language they speak. Make noise in reply to a speech from childbirth to three months.

Try babbling and mimicking sounds from six to nine months. They usually say their first words and understand essential controls from one to two years. Extend their vocabulary and create simple sentences from two to five years.

2- Average age to when do babies start saying, Mama

One of the most expected questions is when do babies start saying Mama, and what does it mean? According to some professionals, babies begin to say “Mama” as earlier as four months old, yet others may not sound it unless they are significantly older.

However, saying “Mama” does not necessarily mean the newborn directs to their mom. The average age varies between six and twelve months as each baby is different; it is hard to predict when do babies start saying Mama.

3- Why and when do babies say Dada before Mama

Numerous parents think about why and when babies say dada before Mama. One basis is that the sound /d/ is more manageable for babies to make than the sound /m/. The sound /d/ is driven by swabbing the tongue against the top of the mouth. However, the sound /m/ is created by sealing the lips and buzzing.

Another cause is that babies may not know the sense of “Dada” or “Mama” sooner. They may use these terms as generic titles for anything they enjoy or like. They say it is as early as six months old. Many babies can identify their parents’ voices and look by nine months. But by twelve months, most can comprehend simple orders and words for everyday items.

4- Motivate your baby to say, Mama

Talk to your baby usually by utilizing easy terms and sentences. Repeat the word “Mama” repeatedly. Reply to your baby’s signals. Show curiosity in what they are saying or doing, and compliment them when they attempt to speak.

Read books, sing tunes, and play games that include the word “Mama.” Stop using baby talk considerably. Some baby speech is ok because the baby knows to speak by mocking. Try using precise and correct words.

5- What to do when baby is not speaking by 12 months

If your baby is not talking by twelve months, then there are some things you can do to support them in their speech and vocabulary mastery. Inspect your baby’s hearing. Hearing loss can impact a baby’s capability to learn and create speech sounds. Let the doctor observe your baby’s communication and aptitudes.

Besides speaking, there are additional ways that babies share and interact with others. It may be via eye contact, smiling, indicating, motioning, and displaying emotions. Encourage your baby’s language growth and talk to a speech-language pathologist.

What to Do When Baby is Not Speaking
What to Do When Baby is Not Speaking

6- The contrast between babbling and actual words

Babbling constructs sounds and syllables that do not have a clear meaning but help babies rehearse their speech skills and retain them to mimic sounds. But actual words deliver sounds and syllables with detailed meanings and are direct to things, people, or activities.

Babbling begins around four to six months of age and implicates sounds like “ba-ba-ba” or “ma-ma-ma.” On the other hand, actual words usually begin around twelve months of age and apply sounds, including “mama,” “dada,” or “ball.”

7- Advantages of talking to your baby every day

Talking to your baby has many benefits for their language and overall healthy growth. Your baby daily permits them to know new words and ideas as they hear additional sounds, words, and sentences.

Talking can even promote brain growth as they process the facts and try to make meaning of them. Support your kids for social and emotive development as they realize how to convey their feelings, ideas, and needs.

8- Use readers, tunes, and games to boost language skills

Readers are books with easy words, images, and voices that grab your baby’s attention and interest. It helps them expand their listening, awareness, and memory skills and foster vision and creativity.

Tunes are songs that have catchy themes, rhymes, and poems that engage your baby’s mind and feelings. It helps them retain new sounds, phrases, and practices. Games are actions that help them expand their mental, physical, and social skills.

9- Response to when your baby says, Mama

You can answer by smiling and creating eye contact with the baby. Compliment them for saying Mama and recounting the word Mama back to them. You can even hug and kiss your baby. Give them what they like or need.

Ask them a query or remark using Mama. Show them a photo or a thing linked to Mama. It would help if you inspired them to repeat Mama, remember more words, and reinforce your relationship with them.

Final Thoughts

Speaking “Mama” is one of the first words numerous babies say. But it only sometimes means what we consider. Babies generally begin to say Mama between six and twelve months but may not link it with their mom until afterward.

Tell your baby to speak Mama and different words, talk to them frequently, reply to their lines, read books, sing melodies, and play fun games. Recall that each baby is distinct and grows at their speed. 

FAQs on When Do Babies Say, Mama or Dada

What is a unique reason why do babies call their dada before Mama?

Babies may also hear “Dada” mainly if their father is more active in their care or recreates with them.

How can I inform if my baby sounds babbling?

Babbling needs a precise meaning. Babies may chatter if they sound “Mama” randomly, without glancing at you or displaying emotion.

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