Parents Share: Their Child’s First Word…

Most little ones say their first words around their first birthday. But what is the first word they say?

Odds are your child’s first word will be something like “dada” or “mama”—and there’s a scientific reason why!

A study from the University of Pennsylvania found that babies are drawn to words that have repeating sounds. According to the study, brain activity in babies increased when they heard repetitious words like “mama” as opposed to words without repeating sounds. That might be why cultures all around the world use words like “mama” and “papa”!

We asked parents to share their child’s first word with us. As expected, “mama” and “dada” were common first words but we also got some unexpected answers. Read them below! 

• “Mum (we are not English and this lasted for two years)” – @travelingkathryn
• “More” ­– @christen.m.s
• “Ball!” – @laineykmeno
• “Hi!” – @eternal0ptimist 
• “Wow! (Upon seeing the ocean for the first time!)” – @nickylightning 
• “Up” – @melissadibiase
• “Oh no!” – @liz_lanners
• “Dog” – @allieoninsta
• “This” – @mimlleigh
• “Book!” ­– @jesslustgarten
• “Go” – @maggie.carts
• “Puppy” – @hollidaya
• “Our dog’s name, Coco” – @carlycourie
• “’Sit’…aka our dog Sarge who we apparently tell to sit often” – @mcseigle
• “What’s that, who’s that and hi” – @melissa_mccartney
• “Duck” – @nanadevine 

What was your child’s first word? Tell us in the comments!

Descargo de responsabilidad: La información en nuestro sitio NO es un consejo médico para ninguna persona o condición específica. Solo se proporciona como información general. Si tiene alguna pregunta o preocupación médica sobre su hijo o sobre usted mismo, por favor contacte a su proveedor de salud. La leche materna es la mejor fuente de nutrición para los bebés. Es importante que, en preparación para la lactancia y durante la misma, las madres lleven una dieta saludable y equilibrada. La combinación de lactancia materna y alimentación con biberón en las primeras semanas de vida puede reducir la producción de leche materna y es difícil revertir la decisión de no amamantar. Si decide utilizar fórmula infantil, debe seguir las instrucciones cuidadosamente.