Many babies babble “dada” earlier, but the first clear word can be either, usually near 12 months.
Parents listen for that first real word with equal parts pride and suspense. You’ll hear lots of playful sounds before meaning shows up. Around the first birthday, most little ones can say one or two clear words—often “mama,” “dada,” or a favorite like “hi.” Which one lands first isn’t a rule. Sound shape, practice, and social feedback all steer the winner on any given day.
How First Words Emerge
Speech builds in layers. Early on you’ll notice squeals and coos. By mid-year, repeated syllables roll out—strings like “bababa,” “dadada,” and “mamama.” These chains are play, not labels. Meaning arrives when your child pairs a sound with a person or thing on purpose. That shift—using a sound to call you or to get something—marks a true first word.
Why “Da” Often Shows Up In Babble
Many babies land on “da” early because it’s a neat, front-of-the-mouth sound that pairs well in those repeated strings. “Ma” is right there too, but it’s a nasal sound that some kids master a bit later. Even when “da” dominates the babble, the very first meaningful word could still be “mama.”
Typical Timing For Clear Words
By about one year, a child commonly says one or two real words and uses them the same way across days. Many toddlers keep both “mama” and “dada” close and may favor one for a while, then switch as practice grows. The spread is wide. Some talkers pop a first word at ten months; others closer to fifteen.
First Sounds And Milestones At A Glance
The chart below shows a practical sweep of early sounds and when they often appear. It’s a guide, not a stopwatch—every child charts a personal course.
| Sound Group | Typical Onset Window | What You’ll Hear |
|---|---|---|
| Vowels (a, e, i, o, u) | 2–4 months | Open-mouth coos and squeals |
| Early Stops (b, p, d, t) | 4–7 months | “ba,” “pa,” “da” in playful bursts |
| Nasals (m, n) | 5–8 months | “ma,” “na,” sometimes while feeding |
| Reduplicated Chains | 6–9 months | “bababa,” “dadada,” “mamama” |
| Jargon Babble | 9–12 months | Speech-like strings with rises and pauses |
| First Clear Words | ~10–15 months | “mama,” “dada,” “hi,” “bye,” favorite items |
Which Word Tends To Come First—Mama Or Dada?
Plenty of families report hearing “dada” first. Others swear “mama” wins. Across large milestone guides, you’ll see both listed side-by-side around the one-year mark. The sound-play advantage for “da” during babble doesn’t lock in the first meaningful word. Real-world use is shaped by who’s in view, what gets a smile, and which word earns a quick, fun response.
Meaning Matters More Than The Sound
Early “mama” and “dada” during practice runs don’t always refer to you. Meaning shows when your child uses the word while looking at you, reaching for you, or lighting up when you appear. A consistent label across days is the milestone to watch.
What Major Guides Say
Trusted developmental checklists place one to two words near the twelve-month point, often naming “mama” and “dada” as examples. You’ll also see a note that many children can call a parent by that name around this time. For a clear snapshot, browse the CDC 12-month milestones and the ASHA communication milestones.
How To Encourage That First Word
You don’t need fancy tools. What moves speech forward is steady back-and-forth connection. The tips below help your child map sounds to people and things.
Talk In Short, Lively Bursts
Use everyday lines tied to the moment: “Mama’s here,” “Dada’s back,” “Cup up,” “Ball roll.” Short phrases with clear stress help sounds stand out. Say the label a few times while pointing or holding the object or person in view.
Follow Their Lead
If your child is staring at a pet or snack, label that thing right then. Kids learn fastest when words match their focus. Echo any cute near-words you hear. If “da!” pops out while dad walks in, repeat it with a smile and a full word: “Dada!”
Build Routines That Repeat Words
Repetition cements learning. Pick phrases you’ll use the same way daily: “Night-night,” “All done,” “More,” “Up.” Rituals around meals, bath, and bedtime give clean practice reps without pressure.
Sing, Read, And Gesture
Simple songs and sturdy board books add rhythm and rhyme that stick. Pair words with gestures—waving for “bye-bye,” pointing to “nose,” tapping the high chair for “up.” Gestures and signs support speech rather than replacing it.
What Counts As A True First Word
Parents often ask which moment earns bragging rights. Use this checklist:
- Same Sound, Same Thing: Your child uses a sound to label the same person or item across days.
- Clear Intent: The word shows up with eye contact, reaching, or a clear request.
- Close Enough Counts: “Mama” might start as “ma,” “dada” as “da.” Consistency beats perfect pronunciation.
What Doesn’t Count Yet
- Random “mamama” during play when no one’s in view
- Copycat repeats that vanish once the moment passes
- One-off bursts that don’t return across days
Common Patterns You Might Notice
Even within one home, siblings can differ. The patterns below are normal and often shift with practice.
“Da” Runs The Show In Babble
Plenty of kids string “da” earlier and longer. That doesn’t signal a preference for one parent. It’s a sound shape that’s easy to repeat and fun to trade with you.
“Ma” Wins When Emotions Run High
Some little ones pull “ma” during tired, hungry, or cuddly moments. Close contact can nudge lips together, setting up that nasal consonant.
Both Words Arrive Together
Many families hear “mama” and “dada” in the same week. Once a child cracks the code—sound plus meaning—new labels follow fast.
When Timing Differs From Expectations
Some kids wave, point, and babble in rich strings yet wait on clear words. Others pop a label early but stay quiet at other times. A wide range fits within healthy growth. That said, certain signs call for a closer look.
| Age Window | What You Might Notice | Suggested Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| By ~9–10 months | Little or no babble; no back-and-forth sound play | Bring it up at the next visit; ask about a hearing check |
| By ~12 months | No shared gestures (point, wave); no response to name | Talk with your pediatrician; ask about an SLP referral |
| By ~15 months | No single clear word; limited attempt to imitate sounds | Seek a speech-language evaluation and hearing screen |
| Any age | Regression—lost words or lost social interest | Schedule a prompt medical check-in |
Practical Ways To Nudge Speech Along
Turn Daily Tasks Into Word Games
During diaper changes: “Wipe, wipe. Clean.” During laundry: “Socks in. Shirt in.” Short phrases tied to actions stick fast. Hold a beat so your child can try a sound before you finish the line.
Use Names With Faces
Keep small photo cards of close family. Point and say the name while tapping the picture. Swap in a mirror for fun: “There’s mama.” “There’s dada.” Let your child try the label and enjoy your big reaction.
Model “Mmm” And “Duh” In Play
Press lips for “mmm” with pretend snacks, tap your tongue for “duh” with toy drums. Tie the mouth move to something your child can feel or see. That sensory hook speeds learning.
Celebrate Any Attempt
Clap for “ma,” cheer for “da,” and echo the attempt with the full word. Warm feedback keeps practice fun and frequent.
Answers To Common Parent Questions
Does Saying “Dada” First Mean A Preference?
No. Babble patterns reflect sound shape and practice, not loyalty. The label that sticks first is often the one that got lucky timing and lots of smiles.
What If My Child Uses A Pet Name Instead?
Nicknames count too. If your child always says “baba” for grandma and looks right at her, that’s a real word. Later, with more practice, the adult version usually shows up.
Should We Avoid Teaching Signs?
Sign use does not slow speech. Paired with spoken words, signs give your child another bridge to meaning and can cut down on frustration while speech gears up.
When To Check In With A Professional
Trust your hunches. If you’re not hearing any babble by ten months, or no clear word by fifteen, bring it to your child’s doctor. Many families also benefit from a direct visit with a speech-language pathologist. Early support is gentle and play-based. You can scan high-level guidance any time on the NIDCD speech and language milestone page, and ask your clinic about local services.
Key Takeaway
Lots of kids chant “da” early, and many land a first label near the one-year mark. The winner between “mama” and “dada” shifts child-to-child. Tune in to meaning, keep talk playful, and sprinkle short, repeatable phrases across the day. With practice and warm feedback, those early sounds turn into names you’ll hear again and again.