What words do babies speak first?

Babies don't typically speak words in the traditional sense until around 12 months old. Before that, they engage in pre-linguistic vocalizations, which can include:

* Cooing: Soft, vowel-like sounds ("oo," "ah") around 2-3 months

* Babbling: Repetitive consonant-vowel combinations like "ba-ba-ba" or "ma-ma-ma" around 4-6 months

* Reduplicated babbling: Longer strings of babbling sounds, like "baba-baba-baba" around 7-12 months

While these sounds don't represent actual words, they're essential for developing speech and language skills.

Around 12 months, babies may start to say their first "real" words, which are often:

* Mama and Dada: These are frequently the first words because they are easy to pronounce and highly associated with familiar caregivers.

* Other family member names: Like "Grandma," "Papa," or "Nana."

* Common objects: Such as "ball," "dog," "milk," or "cookie."

Important note: The age at which babies start speaking varies widely. Some babies may start earlier, while others may be later. This is perfectly normal, and there are many factors that can influence a baby's speech development.