Ah, the anticipation! Every parent eagerly awaits that magical moment: their baby's first word. So, *when do babies say their first word*? Generally, you can expect to hear a recognizable "mama," "dada," or something similar around 12 months. However, language development is a journey, not a race!
Before that first official word, babies communicate through coos, babbles, and gestures. These are crucial pre-linguistic skills. Around 6-9 months, babbling becomes more complex, incorporating consonant-vowel sounds like "ba-ba" or "da-da."
Don't fret if your little one is a bit later. Language development varies. Focus on creating a language-rich environment. Talk to your baby, read books, sing songs, and respond to their attempts to communicate. If you have concerns about your child's language development, especially beyond 15-18 months with no words, consult your pediatrician. Enjoy the process; those first words are precious memories!
