First words aren't always what we think
Ask most parents what their baby's first word was, and the answer is usually "Dada" or "Mama." Whether these sounds actually mean "Dad" or "Mom," however, is like asking which came first, the chicken or the egg. Babies tend to babble certain easy-to-make sounds, including p, b, t, d, m, n, and w. When your baby says "Ma Ma," your positive reaction prompts him to say it more.

Your role: Go ahead and get excited about that first "Mama" and "Dada" and other possible early words, even if you're not sure they mean anything. Anything to encourage language-building babbles!

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