Do we have a first word!? Brandon thinks that she IS actually saying “mama”, but I’m not so sure. She only says it when she’s tired or frustrated, so I think that it’s just her whiny complaining noise and there just happens to be an ‘m’ sound in there. ;)
If this really is her first word, then it’s really early. She has been early on everything else though, so it is a possibility! Either way it’s nice to hear.
67 comments
lindsay
She says it when she’s tired and frustrated? Oh yeah, it’s definetly mama! My daughter started talking at 6mos. and was speaking sentences and having conversations at 9mos. Now at 5, and in Kindergarten, we just had her first parent/teacher meeting. Everything good, except she talks too much when she shouldn’t be…never changes :)
Melissa Allam
This is so cute. I would say it is her first word.
Justina
Heee… my baby Jude also started saying “mama” when he was hungry and fussy around the same time. First word or not, it must have made your heart melt! :)
Desiree
Early or not, my daughter said her first word, “Mama” just as she turned 6 months old. “Dada” followed very shortly after that. Congrats!
-Desiree
Dan
OK, I brought in the expert: I asked my 3 year old if she thinks this baby is speaking or not, and she said: “Well, just a little bit, it only says mama”.
So, there you have it! Congrats!!
P.S. Enjoy it now, because the time will come when you wish she could forget that particular word for even a couple of minutes… ;-)
becca @ birthday girl
I vote yes too. Your daughter is beautiful- it’s fun watching her grow through your camera lens. Thanks for visiting my blog… the pins were really a great idea. You should consider making them for your shop. I bet they’d be a hit. :)
kristen_verity
She’s totally saying “Mama.”
Elena
Trust me, if she only says it when she’s tired or frusterated, then it’s DEFINITELY Mama! Congrats!!!!
TracyKM
Adorable! You’ve already gotten a great comment on ‘first words’ and if you want to count it as a first word, go ahead :)
There is a woman who has documented early ‘speech’ in babies. All babies, in all cultures, make six specific sounds to represent different things. The sounds (which are by no means words) are each distinct and arise from the involuntary reflex that causes it. For example…the sound for “I’m hungry” is created by the baby rooting. “I’m gassy” is the sound made when baby tries to pass gas. The woman is from Australia and was on Oprah a few years ago, but I can’t remember her name :(
On the other hand…if you really want to teach language, do sign language. It’s an awesome way to communicate with babies!!! You’ll know for sure she is understanding the language, not just imitating sounds (i can imitate spanish, but I certainly can’t communicate).
crispix
Yes! she is saying mama!!!! oh! she is soooo cute! and getting sweeter day a day :) congrats! you’re eleonor’s first word inspiration yeaiiiiii!
Sonia
I am a psychology student getting a Ph.D. in child psychology and child development and have to agree with the other posters above about it not technically being her first word. Although it sounds like she’s saying “mama” babies commonly use babble at this stage so she’s not actually saying her first word. Technically her first word is one that she will use to reference something when she understands the word she’s using is attached to something. Therefore, when she looks at you and says “mama” and knows that you will come, she is using her first word. However, saying mamamama is just baby babble.
Either way, she is really a gorgeous baby! She’ll be talking up a storm before you know it.
Miss B
I’m with everyone else, it sure sounds like Mama! Baby genius:)
Melissa
I don’t know about a first word (I’m in the university library and can’t turn up the volume!) but the video was precious!
I had been having a terrible day, but this made it much nicer.
Georgia
God she’s cute – such a beautiful little face.
Jenny
Yep first word! Super cute!
Krystle
a) It’s totally her first word
b) Your daughter is too cute!
c) She’s also the first baby I’ve ever seen actually play with the toys on her walker. With purpose.
You’re daughter’s a genius! Congratulations!
Erica
That is the most precious thing in the world. I’m sitting at my desk at work (scandalous, I know) and just about crying. She is so sweet.
Megan
I only considered my son’s first word when it was clear he knew what he saying and to whom he was saying it. While Eleanor is clearly saying Mama it is also evident that she isn’t really sure she’s actually saying a word. It’s just a noise that gets your attention. I wouldn’t consider it her first word but it sure is cute!
Nicole
this just made my day, she’s just too cute for words. You’re very lucky :)
Amanda
I have 3 under 3 myself. And I believe that is a first word! That’s how mine all started.
Gabriell
This made my day! No baby linguistics knowledge, but I’m definitely voting for her first word! Lovely :)
Julie Anne
Sav, commenting above, hit the nail exactly on the head:
It’s her first “pre-word”, her first attempts at language, but as he stated, one of the reasons some form of mom, mam, mama, maman, etc. is “Mother” in nearly every language in the world, is that it is the first linguistic sound most human babies can successfully enunciate.
They’re trying to get Mom’s attention, they make a random noise that sounds like the talking back-and-forth that mommy and daddy do, and mommy responds, forcefully, because she thinks baby is saying “Mommy”. Baby is thrilled that Mommy responds whenever she says mamamamamama and eventually makes the connection that “Mama” is who Mommy IS (although to baby, it could have meant “boob”, “milk”, “hot”, “cold”, “wet”, “uncomfortable”, or “pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon?”)
So, at this point, it’s your natural reinforcement that “Mama” is mommy that will teach her the meaning of the word – her first real word will be the one she utters spontaneously, knowing the meaning.
To quote, Sav wrote: “Ohhh I don’t want to be a downer but its not a word if she doesn’t know what it means! “Mama” is actually, worldwide, the most common first “word” babies say because the two sounds /m/ and /^/ (soft a sound) are the easiest to articulate when they start babbling… which is what I think your adorable little girl is actually doing. BUT I think in a few more months it could actually be her first word if you help her make the connection that the word refers to you.”
Melissa
Definitely “mama”! No doubt about it – you have the first word – congrats! She loves you.
Anica
Priceless! I think she is the cutest, pinkest, little cupcake I have ever seen!
Nycia Emerson
SHE IS SO FREAKIN ADORABLE!! “Mama” how sweet!!:) This makes me want another baby so bad!!
mary
Ohmygosh. She is SO ADORABLE!! AND, saying “mama”! :)
Kathryn S
Sounds like a word to me. My standards are pretty low, though (I have late talking boys). We figure if it’s a repeated sound while looking at the same object every time, it’s a word.
More than that, I love the fact that you have an exersaucer in your beautiful living room. I take some sort of fiendish glee in that – mostly I’m just jealous that your house is beautiful and mine looks like a tornado blew through!
Erica W
That’s just the sweetest thing! Totally makes me want to go hug my own babe.
Mrs Soup
Totally saying Mama! Congrats!
Samae
OMG. What a cutie pie.
Davinie
That’s the first word, Mama! Babies usually want their mama when they are tired and frustrated.
Congratulations!
Heather
What memories that brings back! My daughter, Brooklyn, sounded just like that when she began “singing” mama. How very, very precious! Soak up every last adorable second of it!
enyasi
Okay, that is definitely MAMA and she is singing it… Brilliant!
Helen
Sounds like Mama, but I’m going to have to agree with you that it’s probably just the noise she makes when uncomfortable.
MamaSkates
definite 1st word! she’s so cute!!!
& i hate 2 tell ya…but Mama will b part of her “whiny complaining noise” 4 a while – u better get used 2 it! ;0)
Danielle
I think she’s trying!!!
Sav
Ohhh I don’t want to be a downer but its not a word if she doesn’t know what it means! “Mama” is actually, worldwide, the most common first “word” babies say because the two sounds /m/ and /^/ (soft a sound) are the easiest to articulate when they start babbling… which is what I think your adorable little girl is actually doing. BUT I think in a few more months it could actually be her first word if you help her make the connection that the word refers to you
Catherine
She’s so cute! Just wait till she starts calling Brandon mama too. My niece went through phase of misdirecting her mama’s and daddy’s. It was hilarious.
Ashley S.
Aww…little angerthor :) by the by she is 100% saying “Auntie Ashley”. Not sure why everyone seems to think is “mama”… :D
(PS, it’s more of a “mom mom mom” which is pretty darn close to “nom nom nom” so if it’s not “Auntie Ashley” it’s definitely “nom nom nom”.)
heartarz
Sounds like Mama to me! Yeah 1st word.
My oldest son’s first word was “dog”.
And he did not mean “da(d)”…he meant “dog”!!!
My youngest’s 1st word was “yum” for food…he LOVED to eat!
Down Pillow
I think she’s saying Mama, too! She’s just adorable :)
Cassie
She’s totally saying MAMA! Congrats, that is so cute!
PS. She looks so adorable. What a precious little girl!
Keri
Yeah I wasnt sure until near the end. She really gets at it. I think they are her first words too… Especially when she starts saying them over and over.
sarah { abeachcottage }
love those days! so so sweet,
I think Mama for sure!
sarah
Amy
So cute – she must make you so happy everyday! Definitely saying Mama!
Seleta
Clearly she’s talking to you, Momma!!! So sweet! And quite precocious.
Don’t you laugh at the thrashing sound of rattles, beads and bells those exersaucers make when baby jumps out of boredom?!? I recall that sound as if it were yesterday.
rachel in Cali.
She is totally saying Ma Ma!! I think she wants to eat too! ;0)
LindaS
Sounds like Mama to me! Considering my daughters first word was Dada (and on Mothers Day no less!) I’d own it if I were you!
Risa
I think she is saying Mama too! Yeah! Normally the first word is Daddy.
Desiree Fawn
Jealous! G is all about the ‘dadadadaaaaa’ sounds! ^_^
marichucky
She’s obviously saying “mama”. Maybe she hasn’t the intention to say the word mama to call you, but she’s saying “mama”. If you go and pick her everytime she says it, she’s gonna get the idea!
(In Spanish, the word mom is mama, so definitely your little bean is saying her first word in a foreing language. So smart!!! Maybe you should learn a bit Spanish to understand her).
Congratulations mama! (never told you before, I do love your blog).
Laurie
So sweet you gotta love those words! My 11 year old still calls me ma ma when she’s being sweet, so enjoy it, before you know it you’ll be hearing “MOTHER!!!” (:
MMW
She is absolutely saying Ma Ma!!! Oh yes she is. I have four little ones…and I recognize that sweet sweet word. Smile and bask and LOVE having her call your name…you’ll hear it the rest of your life.
Tricia
First word SO definitely Mama! Usually dada is first, so enjoy!
Elizabeth
I think she is saying it! Too darn cute for words :)
Eileen
I say take it when and where ever you can get it. Sounds like Mama, must be Mama (note that she says it when tired and frustrated … definitely mama). Congrats. You have so many more firsts and she’s a sweet girl.
Valerie frome Studio Rose Flash
I would also have to go with the first word! YAY! I’m trying so hard to show the «m» sound to my son, but he’s more into tiger and owl – talk/sounds. ^_^
Carley
Okay, so I have a theory here. You said she only says this when she’s tired or frustrated?
Well, who do you call for when you’re that little and you’re tired/frustrated?
Mommy!!
:) Get used to it MOM because you’re going to be this little girls place to run to when feelings like these arise. Congrats!
Amanda
I would say it’s definitely a mama. So congrats on the first word! By the way she is TOO CUTE!
Kenziepoo
That is how my daughter sounded when she first said Mama!! Totally her first word!!! Yay! How sweet!!
Candice
That really cheered me up this afternoon. Thanks for sharing!
Nikki
Believe it! My Mom said I was reciting Mother Goose at 16 months, word for word. It’s definitely possible, and her parents are no dummies – hello!
Tessa
Definitely first words!! How precious :) She has beautiful eyes
Antonia
I agree! It’s her first word! She’s adorable.
zsuzsa
I am going with first word too :-) because most of the time she looks up – at you? – when she says it.
Jazmin Espinal
I’m pretty sure she’s saying Mama. Congrats on Eleanor saying her first word and even more congrats for having it be mama! :)
lori
I’m gonna have to go with FIRST WORD!!!! So adorable! (and so lucky, it’s usually dada!!) She’s getting cuter by the day.
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