First words: how speech develops

“Mama”, “dada” or maybe “nom nom” – there’s no way of knowing what the first word will be or when it’ll arrive. But one thing is certain: speech starts developing long before it. Every smile, every coo and every “Oh really?” from you is part of it.

And here, too, every child has their own pace. Some chatter non-stop; others listen for a long time and join in later.

The short answer: First words usually come somewhere between 12 and 18 months. By 15 months, most children try to say one or two words besides “mama” and “dada”, and by 18 months three or more. Help by responding to your baby’s sounds and gestures and naming things, actions and feelings.

What does the road to the first word look like?

Speech grows in stages. The signposts below come from the updated checklists of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – things at least 75% of children do by that age:

• By 2–4 months: makes sounds other than crying, and coos (soft “aaah”, “oooh”).
• By 6 months: takes turns with you in a “conversation” of sounds, and laughs.
• By 9 months: babbles with repeated syllables – “ma-ma-ma”, “ba-ba-ba”.
• By 12 months: waves “bye-bye” and calls a parent “mama”, “dada” or another special name.
• By 15 months: tries to say one or two words besides “mama” and “dada”.
• By 18 months: tries to say three or more words.

Speech and language therapists in the UK’s NHS stress that the timing of first words varies widely – usually somewhere between 12 and 18 months.

Understanding comes before talking

Even when your baby isn’t saying a single word yet, they’re learning every day. Between 6 and 9 months, many babies already respond to “no” and start to understand a few words they hear often. It’s like a hidden dictionary quietly filling up – until one day it’s spoken out loud.

How can you help every day?

Researchers at Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child describe the “serve and return” principle – like a game of ping-pong. Your baby “serves” with a sound, a look or a gesture, and you “return” it with words, a smile or an action. These little exchanges build the brain connections needed for language. In practice:

• Notice the “serve” – where they’re looking, what they’re pointing at, what sound they’re making.
• Respond – with a word, a nod or a cuddle.
• Name things, actions and feelings.
• Wait – babies need a little more time to “answer back”.
• Follow their interest – and when they’re bored, the conversation can take a break.

Songs, nursery rhymes, looking at books together and simply describing what you’re doing all help too: “Now we’re putting on your sock. One foot, other foot!”

What if they say “mik” instead of “milk”?

There’s no need to correct them or make them repeat it. Just say the word back correctly, with enthusiasm: “Yes, milk! You want milk.” That way they hear the right version without feeling corrected. And some toddler words are so cute they stay in the family dictionary forever. 😄

For the dads

You don’t need a squeaky voice to be interesting. Talk about what you’re doing – while you cook, park the car or put up a shelf. For a baby there are no boring topics, only a favourite voice explaining the world.

When to talk to your paediatrician

Mention it if your baby doesn’t respond to sounds or to their name, if by 18 months they still aren’t trying to say words, or if they stop using sounds and words they used to say. Your paediatrician may suggest a hearing check or a visit to a speech and language therapist. An earlier check isn’t a reason to worry – it’s a way to get peace of mind and support in good time.

📖 Read next: When do babies start walking and how can you help? · Reading to your baby: why and how to start

In short

A first word isn’t born in a day. It’s built from thousands of little conversations you’re already part of – at nappy changes, in the bath, out on walks. Keep talking and keep listening. The answer will come – and it’ll probably surprise you. 💛

Sources: CDC – Milestones in Action: By 18 Months; Great Ormond Street Hospital (NHS) – Speech and language development from birth to 12 months; NHS Lothian Speech and Language Therapy – First Words; Harvard Center on the Developing Child – 5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve and Return.