What Do Babies Say First

What Do Babies Say First

There's no single answer to what babies say first, as development varies child to child! However, here's a general timeline of what you might hear:

1- Before 6 months:

1. Crying: This is the primary way babies communicate their needs in the beginning.
2. Cooing: Around 2-3 months, babies start making softer, higher-pitched sounds like "oo" and "aa."
3. Gurgling: As they gain more control, you might hear gurgling sounds around 4-6 months, often accompanied by smiles and laughter.

2- 6-12 months:

1. Babbling: This is when things get exciting! Babies start stringing together consonants and vowels, making sounds like "ba-ba" and "da-da." While these might resemble real words, they're not yet intentional.
2. First "words": Around 10-12 months, some babies might say their first recognizable words, often "mama" or "dada." These might not be perfect pronunciations, but they carry meaning.

3- 12-18 months:

1. Vocabulary growth: The word explosion often happens around this time! Babies rapidly learn new words, adding around 4-20 words to their vocabulary by 18 months.
2. Simple phrases: By 18 months, some babies might start putting words together to form short phrases like "bye-bye" or "more milk."

Remember, this is just a general guide. Some babies develop speech earlier, while others take their time. If you're concerned about your baby's language development, it's always best to consult with a pediatrician.

Here are some additional points to keep in mind:

1. The first words are often related to important people in the baby's life (mama, dada) or familiar objects and routines (bye-bye, milk).
2. The order in which babies learn words can vary greatly.
3. Nonverbal communication like gestures and facial expressions are just as important as spoken language for young babies.

I hope this helps!