Does this count as her first word?

lovemymaddy · November 2010

(sorry it's sideways)

DH says yes because her first word would be "dada". I'm not so sure because I think she's just repeating it after he says it. I don't know if she knows it means him or not...?

IrishBrideND · November 2010

you just have to wait and see. If she says it over time and obviously knows its him, then it counts. I don't think you can tell from one exchange.

Bascially, my view is if you have to ask, its probably not

DaisyFull1 · November 2010

IrishBrideND:
you just have to wait and see. If she says it over time and obviously knows its him, then it counts. I don't think you can tell from one exchange.

** Bascially, my view is if you have to ask, its probably not ; ) **

This. You'll have to let us know if she keeps it up!

KateCupcake976 · November 2010

I don't know but she is adorable! All that matters is if you think it counts.

amygauntt@windstream.net · November 2010

Soooo cute!

I would say yes, why does it have to be directed at a person for it to be a "word", KWIM? She wasn't just babbling dadadadada. She would say dada. Who cares if she was repeating, that's how they learn to talk! If she was repeating ball, or car, or dog, it would count as a word, right?!

ETA: FWIW, I wrote the first several words DD said down, and their dates. She said dada at 7 months, mama right after, and said hey at 8 months, bye-bye & ball at 9 months, then kept adding more from then on out. Anyway, my point is I would write it down anyway, and it's not too early to start saying things!

mojito14 · November 2010

I say no, BUT she is an adorable babbler...lol.

H is saying, bababababababa and mamamamama. He just started to say dadadadada today, but I'm not counting any of them as his first word. :-)

WildcatPrincess · November 2010

amynjay:
Soooo cute!
I would say yes, why does it have to be directed at a person for it to be a "word", KWIM? She wasn't just babbling dadadadada. She would say dada. Who cares if she was repeating, that's how they learn to talk! If she was repeating ball, or car, or dog, it would count as a word, right?!

I disagree with that definition of first word, but that's why it's up to the mamma to decide I consider first word to be talking with purpose, otherwise DD's first was when she started mimicking "hi" months ago. She has never used it spontaneously on her own so I don't think it counts.

LuvMyBostons · November 2010

I don't know the answer to your question, but just wanted to say she is soooooooo cute!!

nwagner1 · November 2010

She is so adorable. You count it as her first word if you want. Its super cute!!!

bobbyme · November 2010

I just have to say that she is adorable. And, imo, she looks a lot like your DH (from what I can see in your siggy).

eta: and now for your original question! It's probably not a first word, since she sounds like she is just mimicking.

slukd79 · November 2010

WildcatPrincess:
amynjay:
Soooo cute!
I would say yes, why does it have to be directed at a person for it to be a "word", KWIM? She wasn't just babbling dadadadada. She would say dada. Who cares if she was repeating, that's how they learn to talk! If she was repeating ball, or car, or dog, it would count as a word, right?!
I disagree with that definition of first word, but that's why it's up to the mamma to decide I consider first word to be talking with purpose, otherwise DD's first was when she started mimicking "hi" months ago. She has never used it spontaneously on her own so I don't think it counts.

Words have to have intent. Dada has to mean Dad. Otherwise it is babbling or mimicing. I work in early intervention and we get several reports of first words at 7 or 8 months, and I have yet to see one that is truly a first word that young. Even at this age, that would be fairly rare.

That said, it is a great precursor to expressive language. So keep it up and first words will come soon!

FWIW, dada is much more common to come before mama. Mama is associated with being tired or milk-- more fussy, tired events, whereas dada is a happy sound to most babies.

adamstodrake · November 2010

Love that video! She is so proud of herself and about ready to crawl it looks like too! I am not sure if I would call it a first word if she doesn't use it in reference to something, but I bet she starts doing that soon.

Danikat15 · November 2010

She is adorable!

I'm torn on whether to count it. You could say it's mimicking and wait until she says mama and count that. Or you can go ahead and count dada and just be happy that he first word wasn't poop like a friend of mine's little boy.

Want a personalized experience?

Does this count as her first word?

Re: Does this count as her first word?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards