worried mom about my baby not saying mama or dada yet

Jenni - posted on 02/17/2010

I have three children and 9 months is REALLY early to start looking for words. Much of language is receptive, understanding. All of this happens at different times for different children. Songs, stories, and talking to your child about the things you are doing are ways to encourage verbal development, but again, this is early. Just enjoy where she's at, and know that the words will come.

Sune - posted on 02/16/2010

Hi Casey

Don't worry about it. Babies do things on their own time.
My baby boy is 10 months old and he only started to say mommy yesterday.

Casey - posted on 02/15/2010

Don't worry about it. My daughter share's your girl's bday too. She's not really saying anything yet either, just sounds & immitations. My son was the same- don't think he said bye-bye till he was 12 months- he's 26 months now & the most articulate 2y/o I have ever known. A serious talker. She'll come around- they all go at their own pace. Just don't worry!

Ginger - posted on 02/15/2010

No worries my 2nd son was also born on April 11th 2009. It all depends of the child I know kids that don't talk until there over a year just make sure that when you talk to her that she can see your mouth moving so she knows what she should be doing it will all come in time. Both my kids talked early cause I talk all the time and it seems the more you talk the sooner they talk.

Janice - posted on 02/14/2010

my baby girl, also 9 months old & she can said papa & ate. maybe u can ask ur doctor regarding the development of ur baby.

Keren - posted on 02/13/2010

Hi, I'm Keren, and our daughter's share a birthday! Lily, at 10 months, isn't saying mama, byebye, or dada yet, either. Babies develop at different rates, and some babies don't say their first word until they are 18 months old! Lily is certainly developing in other ways, and I'm sure your daughter is, too.

Jennifer - posted on 02/13/2010

At this age don't worry. My son is a 4/11/09 baby. Just keep talking to her she will come around. My son babbles, says lots of things but we don't think he is actually correlatting them more just mimicing what we are saying. He has learned to sign "milk" and we are trying to teach him other signs too. Maybe try some of the basic signs, everyone I know who has used early sign language all have positive things to say. Other than that, she may be putting more attention into other things, for instance, my son is already full on walking so I think he cares more about that then communicating right now. Also, we get milestone questionnaires sent to us by a county non-profit that follows all kids from birth to Kindergarten. Nothing other than babbling sounds was mentioned in the 9 month questionnaire for milestones. So, I'd definitely wait longer before getting concerned. Hope this helps:)

Sheridan - posted on 02/12/2010

Hi Melissa,
My little boy was born on April 11th 2009 aswell, theres things i think he's falling behind with but after reading lots of forums etc It's just giving them time i suppose. My little boy say's 'mama, dada, baba, nanna' -- when he's crying it sounds like hes sayin daddy did it (but i doubt he really is lol)
i wouldnt worry hun, my little boy doesnt or rather wont hold his own bottle or beaker yet.
Dont worry, she will talk when she's ready, then you'l get stressed because she wont give you any peace :P
take care x

p.s. I am also a first time mum & i understand you worry a lot more than other mums - i do too :o)

Angel - posted on 02/12/2010

Mama is a harder sound to make and most (not all) babies usually start with "d" words first, dada, dog, ect. My little guy has been saying dada for a few months now, but just stated using it correctly. He says dada, dog, du (duck) and is starting to go na na na ( I think he's trying to say no). I wouldn't worry. Just make sure you are talking to her, reading, and singing nursery rhymes. I know it's hard to make time, I'm always forgetting to sing nursery rhymes. Also, label items she's interested in. It will all come in due time, every little baby is different.

Alea - posted on 02/11/2010

Hi Melissa. My name is Alea and my daughter Lilyanna was born on April 9th. She doesn't really say a whole lot yet other than mama either. She does babble alot and she has been ahead on most of her other milestones. She is already standing on her own without support and she cruises alot, she may walk before she can talk. I just think some kids are more interested in exploring than communicating. I talked to our pediatrician and she said not to worry about it. Just keep working with her and it will come.

Barb - posted on 02/11/2010

No worries Melissa! The general age for babies to begin coherently talking is between 10 and 13 months. My little girl says/babbles the sounds ma-ma-ma and da-da-da and ba-ba-ba as well as aaahfruuuu and ahtz and many other combined sounds that I have to really think about how to form myself! LOL As long as you spend time talking to her so she hears all the different sounds/words, you're all doing well! :)

Ali Marie - posted on 02/11/2010

Hmmm I never wanted to let my daughter watch TV...I wonder if I should to get her a little more developed??

My daughter doesn't talk either. A few times a week she'll have a spurt of saying "ddadadadada" all day but I doubt its in reference to "Daddy"

Rosa - posted on 02/11/2010

Hi, my girl is from the 11th too (though my profile says differtently). She says a lot of things (papa, nana, dada etc. and thought to hear a mama too couple of times). I wouldn't worry if I were you. Give her some more time. I do motivate language skills with songs, babbling to her whole day long, asking her questions, let her watch nick jr (every day Dora etc. making me crazy but it must be doing some for her skills cause she's answering Diego and Dora). In general you shouldn't worry I think about these kinds of things. Each baby really does have her own way to go.

Heidi - posted on 02/10/2010

In my country kids usually start talking at the age of 12months, anything before that gets people say like wow she/he speaks allready?? But anyways our son doesn't say anything that makes any sense, more like ämmämämämäm ot kakakakakkakkakka. those make ämmä and kakka those are words but he don't know it yet. Ämmä=Bitch/Hag anyway bad wordof a woman. Kakka = poop :D:D:D:D:D

I said my first word at the age of 10months and my husband at the age of 12months. But I have in my childhood health card even a nurses/doctors mentioning about my good verbal skills compared to my age.

Aleeca - posted on 02/05/2010

I know exactly how you feel! My little girl (also 9 months) doesn't say anything either. I have been worried sick. My Doc said not to worry about it but that doesn't make it any easier. Everyone else is talking about all the things their babies are saying and it can be frustrating. I spend alot of time talking and singing to her and work with her everyday. I wonder if there is more I should be doing or if she truly has a developmental problem. I wish I had some answers for both of us!

Kaylee - posted on 02/05/2010

idk but my little girl is almost 10 months and she say dada and mama but all childern learn at different rates i wouldnt worrie about she will learn it faster than u no it

Amanda - posted on 02/04/2010

Hi Melissa. My name is Amanda. I'm 25 and my little boy was born on April 8th, 2009. He's my first child too. He's not saying mama but lately he's been saying a-da. He can say ut-oh. And that's about it. He babbles like crazy but no definite words. I sit and talk to him, without any background noise, all the time. I think they do in their time and before you know it, you're little girl will be spitting out words and you'll be whipping your head around in shock. I know I can't wait!

Terra - posted on 02/04/2010

Does she talk at all yet? To be honest mama and dada weren't the first words that my son said. He said hey, hi, and yeah first. I think that if you work with her a little bit everyday and see progress eventually that she is just fine. (maybe just a little stubborn like my little one lol) You can't just get them to say what you want them to. My son just blurts stuff out out of the blue. How is she on all of her other milestones? Can she wave? Go to a sit up position on her own? Pick things up and put them in her mouth? (which by the way my son doesn't do yeet and he is 9 months, he is just more interested in playing with the food but that is something that we haven't really worked on with him) Etc. As long as she is meeting the other milestones I think that she is just fine. If you are really concerned you do need to speak with your pediatrician about this though. They don't mind you calling and they understand the questions and could give suggestions.

Samantha - posted on 01/30/2010

To get her to start speaking...make sure you spend at least half an hour a day with just you and her no background noises including tv and radio and give her your full attention. Talk to her lots, sing songs, nursery rhymes and repeat back to her the sounds and noises she is making. All this will make her enjoy language and she will want to start talking herself. Dont worry that she hasnt started yet, at this age she can quickly catch up but whatever you do DO NOT on purpose delay her language this can have huge detrimental effects on her developmental in her toddler years and later on in life.

Whitney - posted on 01/30/2010

mine doesnt either! she screams and makes other crazy noises but I dont think it's abnormal at all...mine has been developing fine since now so if yours is too, then i wouldnt worry! I just figure, its better than learning "no" and things like that and talking back haha....keep em quiet as long as possible! ;)