Heinz - Tinytums

First words

It’s an unforgettable moment: after months of hearing your baby’s delightful coos and gurgles, one day they look you in the eye and say ‘mama’.

‘Mama’ or ‘dada’ are among the first words your baby will utter and this can happen as early as four months old. But don’t get too excited just yet – it could be another four or six months again before your baby understands that ‘mama’ means you! Before then, your baby will be exploring sounds and syllables, experimenting with their tongue, teeth, palate and vocal chords. It’s a real game for your baby and the best way to encourage them is to join in.

How to help your baby talk.
Talk to your little one as much as you can - research shows that the more you talk to your baby, the more likely they are to have a higher IQ. You can read them stories, talk to them when changing their nappy, feeding them, or playing. Even if you feel your baby can’t understand you, they’re constantly learning from you and will try to imitate the sounds you make. In fact, by 7 months old, your baby’s babbling will sound like real conversation because they’ll be copying your tones and inflections.

At around 10 months, your baby may associate ‘mama’ with you and by 12 months, they could have even added a few more words to their vocabulary. If you think your baby is reaching these milestones too late, or even too early, don’t worry! Babies develop at their own pace, but if you have any concerns, talk to your GP or health visitor.