Lots of words - no mama, dada!

nikkisun54 · July 2014

DS is 17m now and has about 10 words he uses regularly, in addition to lots of signs and a love of animal noises. He's progressed immensely in the last few months and he understands EVERYTHING we say. However, unless prompted he does not address myself, my husband or our dog by name (he's obsessed with our dog, hence my surprise). He fully displays that he knows who we are, will point to us if asked, and will say "ma" or "da" when prompted - but he will never address us at will. Considering this is most toddler's first word that they use constantly, I just found it odd. I refer to ourselves as Mommy and Daddy regularly, so I don't think that's an issue. Do any other little ones sparingly use mama and dada to address them?

ashiscute · July 2014

I don't know if mama or dada are most kids first words. I think there's a huge range what is normal for kids.

Your DS is still learning what speech means and how to communicate. It probably has not occurred to him to use mama or dada to get needs met since they already are. Both of my kids used mama and dada sporadically for awhile before they started affixing it to DH and I consistently. I wouldn't focus on which words your DS has and doesn't have at this point. I know it's hard to wait for the mama but it will come eventually.

MrsG071809 · July 2014

DD started saying the DaDa sound very early, but is only just now starting to use it "in context" to refer to DH, and it's still pretty rare. She didn't say the mama sound for a long time, and has hardly ever used it to refer to me without being prompted.

I'm with you, and I wonder when she will finally start actually referring to us as Mama and Dada, and of course as a parent you want to hear that! I don't necessarily WORRY about it (and it doesn't sound like you really are either), but I am anxious to hear it as well.

I don't think it's too odd...I think more kids are like my DD and those SOUNDS do come early, but not necessarily using the words in context.

mb314 · July 2014

DS was also late in saying Mama and Papa. He had other words - doggy, milk, Elmo, paci, etc, before Mama and Papa. I would say he didn't regularly call me Mama or DH Papa until after 19 months. And it took forever for him to call our dog by her name (even though he was obsessed with all dogs). I think kids don't often start saying Mama or Dada/Papa until later because they simply don't need to. You're there. Whereas, words like "milk" or "Elmo" is telling you what they want.

I would say your child's speech is totally normal.

nikkisun54 · July 2014

Thanks, Ladies! Definitely reassuring to hear. I suppose it was confusing to always hear "saying Mama/Dada by 12 months" in parenting websites, TB, etc. as a standard measure of language; however, perhaps it doesn't specify with intent, which would make sense. I can tell that his language is really progressing, as well as his desire to mimic what we say, so I will stop investigating and assume we're on the right path!

pb_bride · August 2014

DS will be 21m next week. He didn't say Dada until 19m. He JUST started saying Mama last week, at 20.5m. He already had about 70 words he could say before he finally said Mama.

Fwiw DS knows the sign for mama but not dada, which may or may not have contributed to him saying Dada before Mama (because he could sign the latter).

Want a personalized experience?

Lots of words - no mama, dada!

Re: Lots of words - no mama, dada!

Choose Another Board

Search Boards