What Do You Count As The First Word?

amykins1283 · October 2010

Liam says "MAMA MAMA" sometimes but I am hard pressed to count it as his first word because I know that he doesn't mean anything by it. He's not calling me by any name, it's just a sound he makes.

I'm not going to count anything as his first word until he uses it in a manner that shows that he knows it has meaning. For example, my first word was "Bye-bye!" and I actually waved when I said it so I obviously had some idea of what "bye-bye" meant. If Liam calls me "Mama" or DH "Dada" or says "ball" when he's playing with a ball then I will count it. Until then I'm just going to chalk it up to him experimenting with different sounds and babbling.

12bailey18 · October 2010

I agree with you! I don't count babble that may sound like a word. His first word was Ma-Ma even though he had said it before in babble. This particular time, though, my mom was holding him and I was sitting next to them. He reaces out for me and says, "Ma-Ma." No other babble with it. I counted that as his first word.

NELCORP · October 2010

What you said.

funcop · October 2010

12bailey18:
I don't count babble that may sound like a word.

Yep. DS says dada, but just as babble.

lafelts80 · October 2010

Luke started saying mamama around 4 months but I didn't count it as his first word. I'm becoming more and more convinced though that it's starting to mean me. He'll say it as I leave the room and it's also what he says/babbles when he's crying, is sick, or wants something. (Which let's be honest, probably means me anyways!) He's quit babbling it at random times, so I think we'll probably count it as his first word.

ashleydressing · October 2010

I count it as the first word. It may not be the first word that they said with meaning behind it but it is still a word. Why would you feel the need to bring someone down who does believe that it is a first word and is excited about it? Kids have to learn words somehow and that is done by the babbles and coos that they make as babies.

Meli0604 · October 2010

I agree. DD starting saying "Dada" a month ago, but it was obvious she had no clue what she was saying. But I think she now knows what it means b/c she only says it when her daddy comes home from work. Also, our dog's name is Lulu and DD will hold on to the doggie gate saying "Uuuuu" so I'm pretty sure she's trying to say Lulu.

But I don't count any words before "Mama" LOL.

amykins1283 · October 2010

ashleydressing:
I count it as the first word. It may not be the first word that they said with meaning behind it but it is still a word. Why would you feel the need to bring someone down who does believe that it is a first word and is excited about it? Kids have to learn words somehow and that is done by the babbles and coos that they make as babies.

Sorry if you see it as me "bringing you down" but I don't recall anything in here that personally addressed you. I am fine if you want to count the "mama" as your LO's first word. I, on the other hand, wouldn't. We have differing views and opinions and I was just asking a question because I've seen several posts on here about "first words" and, in my mind, a word should have meaning behind it in order to count.

But, if you feel differently then that's your perogative.

Jeni182 · October 2010

ITA

DS has been saying dada for months now but I'm not going to count it as his first word until he makes the connection that daddy=dada (which I think he's starting to now). Babies make all kinds of noises. He also says nanana and AHHHHHH! but those aren't words either.

carney09 · October 2010

Evelyn can say Dada and looks at my DH when she says it. She also says Aw-la when she looks at the dog (his name is Ollie) so I count Dada as her first word, and Aw-la as her second.

Every now and then she'll bust out a mamamama or a babababa when she's babbling, but not all the time and not with real meaning.

I do think Baba will be her next word though.

mtbmama · October 2010

I agree with what you're thinking. I am going to consider her first word when she says it having an idea what it means. She babbles 'da da da' all the time, but I don't think she is meaning daddy when she says it, its just a sound. I have to admit though, I can't wait for the ma ma ma when it comes, even if she hasn't a clue what it means!

ashleydressing · October 2010

amykins1283:

ashleydressing:
I count it as the first word. It may not be the first word that they said with meaning behind it but it is still a word. Why would you feel the need to bring someone down who does believe that it is a first word and is excited about it? Kids have to learn words somehow and that is done by the babbles and coos that they make as babies.

Sorry if you see it as me "bringing you down" but I don't recall anything in here that personally addressed you. I am fine if you want to count the "mama" as your LO's first word. I, on the other hand, wouldn't. We have differing views and opinions and I was just asking a question because I've seen several posts on here about "first words" and, in my mind, a word should have meaning behind it in order to count.

But, if you feel differently then that's your perogative.

I didnt say your post had anything to do with me. I am sure I am not the only person on here who counts a word even if it doesnt have meaning. I just dont understand the need to bring those people down who do count it as the first word. It is like you are saying that their excitement over hearing mama for the first time shouldn't be exciting - whether you want to believe it or not there are people who will feel that way. I couldn't care less what you do or dont believe regarding your own baby - thats your perogative - I just dont see the need to hurt someone because you don't feel that way.

FWIW - you didnt bring me down. I am still thrilled that my baby's first word was mama even if she may not be 100% about what it means. My kids are fantastic and I will continue to post about any accomplishments they make because I love them and I'm proud to be their mama.

If we are going by first words having meaning behind them my son's first word was Tractor.

mtbmama · October 2010

ashleydressing:
amykins1283:

ashleydressing:
I count it as the first word. It may not be the first word that they said with meaning behind it but it is still a word. Why would you feel the need to bring someone down who does believe that it is a first word and is excited about it? Kids have to learn words somehow and that is done by the babbles and coos that they make as babies.

Sorry if you see it as me "bringing you down" but I don't recall anything in here that personally addressed you. I am fine if you want to count the "mama" as your LO's first word. I, on the other hand, wouldn't. We have differing views and opinions and I was just asking a question because I've seen several posts on here about "first words" and, in my mind, a word should have meaning behind it in order to count.

But, if you feel differently then that's your perogative.

I didnt say your post had anything to do with me. I am sure I am not the only person on here who counts a word even if it doesnt have meaning. I just dont understand the need to bring those people down who do count it as the first word. It is like you are saying that their excitement over hearing mama for the first time shouldn't be exciting - whether you want to believe it or not there are people who will feel that way. I couldn't care less what you do or dont believe regarding your own baby - thats your perogative - I just dont see the need to hurt someone because you don't feel that way.

FWIW - you didnt bring me down. I am still thrilled that my baby's first word was mama even if she may not be 100% about what it means. My kids are fantastic and I will continue to post about any accomplishments they make because I love them and I'm proud to be their mama.

If we are going by first words having meaning behind them my son's first word was Tractor.

Indifferent Where in the OP's post is she bringing anyone down or hurting them? She is asking an opinion, and really the first word is left up to the parents interpretation and she gave her thoughts on what she will consider her sons' first word to be. That is what I got out of the post.

charlies-angel · October 2010

I agree with OP. My DD has been saying "mama" for a few weeks, but its just a sound and she is not using it as a "word." I don't consider it her first word when she is just making sounds/babbles. I mean, it is great that she is babbling and I love hearing her, but I don't consider it a word.

anabell0920 · October 2010

Ashleydressing- regardless if you admit it or not you are taking this way personal. Nothing in the op's post was offensive it was asking a question and giving her opinion.

amykins1283 · October 2010

ashleydressing:
amykins1283:

ashleydressing:
I count it as the first word. It may not be the first word that they said with meaning behind it but it is still a word. Why would you feel the need to bring someone down who does believe that it is a first word and is excited about it? Kids have to learn words somehow and that is done by the babbles and coos that they make as babies.

Sorry if you see it as me "bringing you down" but I don't recall anything in here that personally addressed you. I am fine if you want to count the "mama" as your LO's first word. I, on the other hand, wouldn't. We have differing views and opinions and I was just asking a question because I've seen several posts on here about "first words" and, in my mind, a word should have meaning behind it in order to count.

But, if you feel differently then that's your perogative.

I didnt say your post had anything to do with me. I am sure I am not the only person on here who counts a word even if it doesnt have meaning. I just dont understand the need to bring those people down who do count it as the first word. It is like you are saying that their excitement over hearing mama for the first time shouldn't be exciting - whether you want to believe it or not there are people who will feel that way. I couldn't care less what you do or dont believe regarding your own baby - thats your perogative - I just dont see the need to hurt someone because you don't feel that way.

FWIW - you didnt bring me down. I am still thrilled that my baby's first word was mama even if she may not be 100% about what it means. My kids are fantastic and I will continue to post about any accomplishments they make because I love them and I'm proud to be their mama.

If we are going by first words having meaning behind them my son's first word was Tractor.

Can you quote the part where I said you shouldn't be excited? I'm excited when DS babbles new sounds but they aren't words (to me). You can get excited about whatever you want. I'm not the "excitement police".

BellaAmor215 · October 2010

DD says mama, dada and baba and understands what it means... Either that or it's coincidental that she says it at all the right times. It used to be babble, but now she will look at me and say mama or if I walk out of the room she will cry and say mama. Same with DH. It was adorable the other night, DH walked out of the room and she yelled "Dada?" the way she said it was tooo cute. DH was in the bathroom and still heard it. He had the biggest smile. And when she see's her sippy she says baba. She started that with her bottle, and now that shes drinking from a sippy she calls that her baba too. But I agree, I was happy the first time she said mama and dada, but I didn't count it as a word until she knew what it associated with.

lmpdjc · October 2010

amykins1283:

Liam says "MAMA MAMA" sometimes but I am hard pressed to count it as his first word because I know that he doesn't mean anything by it. He's not calling me by any name, it's just a sound he makes.

I'm not going to count anything as his first word until he uses it in a manner that shows that he knows it has meaning. For example, my first word was "Bye-bye!" and I actually waved when I said it so I obviously had some idea of what "bye-bye" meant. If Liam calls me "Mama" or DH "Dada" or says "ball" when he's playing with a ball then I will count it. Until then I'm just going to chalk it up to him experimenting with different sounds and babbling.

I agree with you. I won't count a word until it's clear he's saying it and meaning it.

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