When do first sounds "count" as first words?

TundraGirl · January 2014

W has been making dada and mama sounds for a while. When do those sounds equal words?

Lolalipsy · January 2014

I assumed it would be when it's directed at the parents and used to communicate as opposed to just making sounds.

c-elizabethf · January 2014

Madison said hi today like an actual hi, I was freaking out lol.

ETA: she also says dada but not to him. I have heard her say mama when she crys a couple of times.

botanicalbliss · January 2014

KateRN08 said:

Yea when it becomes purposeful.

this

Blueyed228 · January 2014

Julia said Dada in response to me saying "Julia, say Dada". She looked right at H and said it.

I caught it on video, but it doesnt count to me because she was just repeating sounds. But H thinks it counts. Ill let him have that.

flyliceandcoffee · January 2014

I have no idea, all we've got going on here is pterodactyl shrieking and old person grunting. No legible "words" at all...I'd imagine I'd consider her first words when she says something and is pointing/referring to someone and it's obvious?

Schell2013 · January 2014

My LO days mom when I pick her up out of her crib in the morning, and smiles at me.

Also one night me and H went on a date and my mom was trying to feed her a bottle before bed and she kept turning her head away and saying mom. She didn't drink her bottle and wouldn't go to sleep until I got home and nursed her. Now I know she knows what mom is, before I was just hopeful she did.

MAdams728 · January 2014

I'm fairly sure L is saying Mama appropriately. She only really uses it when DH has her and she dosent want him, or when she is upset. She makes the dadadada sound all the time, but never directed at him.

TundraGirl · January 2014

W isn't directing his sounds at us yet. I can't wait for that!

JoJo716 · January 2014

When I was changing ds for bed, he was fussy and it sounded like he said "help". So that will be my child's first word probably, help.

MrsM1111 · January 2014

Definitely when used with purpose. The other day I think Ab understood "dada" and said it twice when playing with H and looked at him when I asked where dada was. Hasn't happened again, so I'm not counting it... Also not counting the fact that H swears she said "hola, papa". We speak to her in French and English.