Age when babies start to say "Ma Ma" or "Da Da"?

Question

About what age do they first begin saying ma ma and da da? I know that all babies are different but what's the average?

My son is 5 months old and the only time that he comes close to saying ma ma is when he's crying sometimes.

Answer 1

My oldest daughter was 5 months and my youngest was 8 months.

Answer 2

re. "he comes close to saying ma ma is when he's crying sometimes" -- you might find this interesting:

"This study investigated the use of ‘mama’ or similar sounds (collectively referred to as ‘MAMA’) by 75 infants less than six months of age. Parents were directed to listen for ‘MAMA’ sounds and to note the sounds made, the age of onset, whether the sounds appeared to be directed to any person or persons and whether they appeared to have a purpose. ‘MAMA’ began at a mode of two months, range two weeks to five months, was usually part of a cry, and was always interpreted as a ‘wanting’ sound. Most parents thought that the infant wanted some form of attention, but a minority thought it indicated hunger. Responses to a Structured Response Protocol indicated that some infants uttering ‘MAMA’ were satisfied if a favourite caretaker approached and paid attention to them while the remainder were satisfied if they were both paid attention to and picked up. The ‘MAMA’ cry appears to promote attention-giving behaviour by parents and other caretakers."

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=78771

I've heard it, too, and thought it was neat that it was a common thing among babies.

Answer 3

When babies start doing this, around 4-6 month of age, they are simply practising making sounds. It doesn't mean anything initially. But because we respond to it so favourably they will repeat them. Some babies are quick enough to use them meaningfully within a couple of months of this practice. These are the first sounds they make, as a result the words for parents in most languages contain these sounds. Clearly the desire to fool ourselves that our babies "speak" very early is not new:) Interesting article here:

http://www.utexas.edu/features/archive/2005/babble.html

Answer 4

my daughter started saying ma ma at about 7 months, she said da da earlier but in our language da da doesn't mean anything- it's just another sound she makes, along with bababa, angooa and all kinds of other sounds.

Even with mama, i'm not sure if she's actually calling me at this point or she just likes repeating that sound. Of course, i like to think she's directing it at me:))

Answer 5

"hey there" was my baby's first word, she was about 6 months old but people would alway say "hey there little one" or something like that. But the next word was da-da then ma- ma, and her dad was never in her life

Answer 6

Its different for each baby. Mama usually comes after Dada. Its the sound they make. Between 4 and 9 months would be average. Baby's try and mimic what you are doing. Practice saying it with your baby.

Answer 7

my neighbor's daughter still hasnt said anything and shes over 12m my son sdaid his first word at about 6 months- hes 8 1/2 months now and still only says dada and hi- he is pretty close to saying kitty kitty and nana though he tries- no mama yet

Answer 8

My son was about 3 months old and my daughter was 4 months old.

Answer 9

my son has said this since 5 mo and now says 6 words at 7 months

Answer 10

My daughter has been doing it since 3 months but its not calling me or anything...she just says it over and over. Usually around 9 to 11 months is when they may start to say it to call you.