First words

What It Means

First words are the first words a baby says with meaning, such as a name for a parent, a pet or a favorite thing. CDC's milestone checklists track them: by 1 year most children call a parent "mama," "dada" or another special name, and by 15 months most try to say one or two other words. The example CDC gives, "ba" for ball, shows that an early word doesn't need to sound the way an adult says it.

How Parents Say It

• "She said 'dog,' or at least 'da,' and pointed right at him."
• "His first word was 'uh-oh.'"
• "He's 15 months and only says mama."

The Breakdown

First words by age, from CDC's milestone checklists

CDC revised these checklists in February 2022 and placed each milestone at the age most children have already reached it, so a missing one is a reason to ask rather than to wait and see.

What counts as a word. CDC's 15-month example, "ba" for ball, shows that a short, partial word counts as trying. Buhata's suggestion: keep a dated list of every word and word-like sound, plus gestures such as pointing and waving, to take to checkups.

When to talk to someone. Talk with your child's doctor about any concern, which is CDC's advice. For a child under 3, you can call your state's early intervention programEarly interventionServices under IDEA Part C for babies and toddlers from birth to age 3 who have a developmental delay or disability, and for their families. See more yourself, with no referral needed, and ask for a free evaluation. If your child is 3 or older, call the local public schoolPublic schoolA school run by publicly elected or appointed officials and paid for mainly with public money, including district, charter and magnet schools. See more. Buhata's speech delaySpeech delayWhen a child's talking develops more slowly than most children the same age, in making speech sounds, in using words, or both. See more and late talker pages go into more detail.

Good to Know

Because CDC sets each milestone where 75% or more of children have reached it, up to a quarter of children haven't reached it yet at that age, and your child's doctor is the person to look at the whole picture with you. Bring your word list to well-child visits, since a written record is easier to discuss than memory. If your child stops saying words they used to say, tell the doctor; Buhata's early intervention page lists losing a skill among the reasons to call your state's program.

Related Terms and Categories

• Speech delay

  When a child's talking develops more slowly than most children the same age, in making speech sounds, in using words, or both.

• Language development

  How a child learns to understand and use sounds, gestures and words, from early squeals to first words, two-word phrases and short stories.

• Expressive language

  The sending side of language: putting wants, thoughts and ideas into words, signs, gestures or writing. Receptive language is the understanding side.

• Reading aloud

  Reading a book out loud with a child, from birth on. The AAP advises it because shared reading builds language, early literacy skills and the parent-child bond.

Baby and toddler