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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think this is my child's first word??

31 replies

pyjamapyjama · 30/08/2017 17:06

So DS is 7 months old and he's been making "mmmmmuumMMMUUUMmuuuuummmm" for about 2 weeks now. But today he's been saying pretty clearly, "MUMMAA"

My partner and I have a bet on to see if he'll say "mama" or "dada" first

Soooo, is this his first word?? or am I clutching at straws

OP posts:
FluttershysCutieMark · 30/08/2017 17:09

I vote clutching, sorry. Babies make all sorts of gurgles and noises that sound like words, but I don't think you can count this one.

fc301 · 30/08/2017 17:10

You only win your bet if this word is directly linked to you. Great next step though xx

SparklyUnicornPoo · 30/08/2017 17:12

depends, is he saying mumma while pointing at you/wanting you to do something or just randomly while gurgling away?

endofthelinefinally · 30/08/2017 17:13

They all make the "mumma" sound first. It is easier to say - all the sounds made with the lips come first. The sounds made with the tongue and teeth come later. So you will win your bet. Grin

DressedInBinBags · 30/08/2017 17:16

That's interesting End so many people have said to me that they say dada first. Hoping you are right

MrsChopper · 30/08/2017 17:20

OP, I think it depends on whether your DC can repeat this word. If that was a one off followed by weeks of babbling, I wouldn't count it as the firat word. Everyone told me it is easier for babies to say 'dadda' which was my DC's first word!

Pengggwn · 30/08/2017 17:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sourpatchkid · 30/08/2017 17:43

I really want my DS,s mumma to mean me and be his first word but I really don't think it is Smile

MimsyFluff · 30/08/2017 18:10

My DD2 said the cats the name first Angry clear as day shouted it when she saw him! DD1 was daddy because we talked about daddy a lot and DD3 mummy because the other 2 would say mummy nonstop Grin

Sunshinegirls · 30/08/2017 18:12

I think mumma, dadda, nanna and no don't count as first words as they are usually the first they all say! I counted the first unique work as my kids first words.

Whereismumhiding2 · 30/08/2017 19:09

Yep, his first word is mumma. Awwww xx My DS's was MORE Grin but both DD's were Mummumm

GreatFuckability · 30/08/2017 19:19

depends what you are calling a word. making a sound that sounds like a recognisable word isn't generally considered a word in linguistic terms until there is a link between that sound and a meaning. so a 'first word' could be 'blam' or something as long as 'blam' had a consistent meaning linking it to a thing or a person or an action.

soundsystem · 30/08/2017 19:27

Depends whether it's properly directed at you or not?

My 7 month old says dad-dad-dad and mumma-mumma-mumma but it's just babbling (although our almost-3-year-old claims to have taught him to talk, and is attempting "caterpillar" next, which may be a bit of a stretch!)

sadiemm2 · 30/08/2017 19:39

MimsyFluff so did mine... JUDDA the cats name was Judy...then she said BUL for bowl. Mama and Dada came later.... Hmm

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 30/08/2017 20:05

DS1 said "boogie" first, while I was jigging him around to music. DS2 said "Daddy" bloody traitor

CasperGutman · 30/08/2017 20:17

My DD started saying "muummmuummmmm" etc early, and we thought she meant "mum". Then we realised she said it to both of us, usually when she wanted something (especially food). Eventually this word developed into "Mine. MIIIIIIIIIIIINE!" So, don't assume these first word-sounds are actually the words they sound most like. You need to know their context and use careful observation over a period of time to discern their meaning.

ittakes2 · 30/08/2017 20:28

My twins said mumma first - a few days later we realised they were referring to their dummies and not me!!

HelloSquirrels · 30/08/2017 20:30

My son's first word was cat Hmm mama was probably 5th or 6th! not sure what that days about me but go with it!!

Prusik · 30/08/2017 20:32

Apparently if muma or dada are a first word it tends to be "dada" because dad's TEND to come and go more for work whereas babies are on maternity leave with their mum and are less likely to recognise Mum as a separate person from them. So they're more likely to recognise Dad as a seperate person first, therefore that's why they tend to say dada first

JagerPlease · 30/08/2017 20:33

DS says Dada but doesn't actually have a dad. He's also said mama/mum for a while but it tends to just be a variation of mmmmm meaning he's hungry. He does now say "dat" and point at the cats, so we're taking that as his first word. I think it only counts if they directly associate it with the person/item

Haudyerwheesht · 30/08/2017 20:36

Ds' she first word was 'bob' (the builder)

Dd's was 'no' which was a sign of things to come tbh

EdmundCleverClogs · 30/08/2017 20:37

I thought this, but it was just babbling. Transpired my child's first word was 'no', and spent the next 8 (!) months not saying anything else (much to our frustration).

Mittens1969 · 30/08/2017 20:41

Ittskes2, that was true of our DD2, we really thought she was saying 'daddy', but then she pointed at the dummy when she was upset and asked for it using that word. So no, she hadn't learnt to say 'daddy' quite yet lol.

EB123 · 30/08/2017 20:43

I honestly don't remember my older two's first words.
My youngests was cheese, every time I got the cheese grater out he would say it.

amousehaseatenmypaddlingpool · 30/08/2017 20:54

If it sounds like a proper word to you, it's a proper word.

All the work you've put in for the last god knows how long, you get to decide!

I got DS's first proper 'Dada' on my phone. Six months. Still pathetically proud of it Grin