As a parent, hearing your baby say their first word is an exciting milestone! You might find yourself wondering, “When should my baby start talking?” or “How can I help them say their first word?” In this blog, I’ll answer some common questions and share tips from my experience as a speech pathologist on what first words to expect, how to encourage your baby’s speech development, and when to consider seeking support if your little one hasn’t started talking yet.
What’s covered in this article:
Most babies start saying their first word between 10 and 14 months. This is usually around their first birthday! Those first words are often simple, like “mama” or “dada,” but sometimes you’ll get an enthusiastic “hi” or even a “milk” (priorities, right?). These words will most likely NOT be pronounced correctly, but you’ll definitely know what they mean. By 12 months, babies also start to recognise familiar words like “bottle” or “milk,” even if they aren’t ready to say them yet. This is what we call receptive language or comprehension. You can often tell that they know these words by how they respond—watch for them to look at or point toward the object when you say it.
Every baby’s first words are special, and while they can vary, certain ones tend to come first. Babies often start with names for the people they see every day, or names of things they love. Here’s a list of common first words, grouped by category:
People:
Social:
Nouns:
Action:
Descriptions:
What Counts as a First Word?
It’s not always easy to tell when babbling turns into talking, but here’s a tip: If your baby is saying a word with meaning like “mama”, and he or she says it once they see you, uses it consistently and on their own, that counts! It doesn’t need to be perfectly clear, and it might be something as simple as “ba” for “ball.” The key is that they’re using it to communicate with you.
Now, the most important question we’re here to answer- how can you help your baby say their first words?
Here are effective strategies to help your baby start talking, based on both research and my experience as a speech pathologist:
Start by observing your baby’s gestures, expressions, and what they’re focused on. For example, if they’re reaching toward a toy, you know that’s what they’re interested in. This insight helps you respond in a way that supports their emerging language. Next, wait silently for 5-10 seconds—lean forward, make eye contact, and give them time to initiate or respond. This lets your baby know that you are letting them take the lead. Finally, listen attentively without interrupting; even if their sounds are unclear, this method shows them that their communication is important and encourages them to attempt more at communicating.
Repetition gives your baby many opportunities to learn words in different contexts. For example, if you are teaching “up,” use it across different routines, like during playtime (“up you go”), snack time (“hold your cup up”), and outdoor time (“look up at the sky”). Repeating words in various settings strengthens understanding, and your child will be more likely to imitate them. Think of repetition like a spider weaving a web—each time you use the word, it’s like adding another strand. Just as a spider strengthens its web, repeating words across various contexts builds a strong “web” of understanding that helps your baby grasp and use it confidently.
Follow your baby’s interests in books—if they point at a picture, pause to name it. Labelling items with simple words like “dog” or “car” and repeating them can help build vocabulary without needing to finish the whole book.
Teaching basic signs such as “more” or “help” provides a way to communicate before they can say the words. Watching a demonstration on signing “hungry” and “thirsty” in this Instagram video here.
Songs with repetitive words and movements, like “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” make learning fun and aid memory. The rhythm helps them try out new words naturally. Check out how our speech pathologist uses songs to help babies and toddlers build vocabulary in this Instagram post.
Describe what you’re doing in simple terms, like “Mommy is pouring juice.” Talking about daily activities introduces new words in natural contexts and helps build vocabulary.
A powerful way to encourage first words is by creating a reason for your baby to speak. Try placing a favorite toy out of reach and observe your baby’s attempt to reach for it. Model words such as “help” or “want” and encourage imitation. This approach gives them a need to vocalise and shows that their words can have an impact on their environment. In other words, they have more control once they use their words!
As your baby becomes familiar with songs and phrases, encourage them to fill in missing words. For instance, sing “Old MacDonald had a…” and pause, allowing them to respond. Even if they don’t say the correct lyrics, the build up of anticipation is motivating for your baby to respond!
It’s important to remember that your baby needs a full year of listening to language before they say their first word. By introducing meaningful words early and using them repeatedly, you’re helping them build language skills that will make them more independent and in control when they start talking.
These words are what we call POWER words. They are words that your child can use in a variety of situations in daily life and are science-backed:
Meaningful words are also great to teach to babies…
Names or titles of important people, like “Mama” and “Dada,” are often some of a baby’s first words because they carry personal meaning and connect directly to people they see every day. Words for preferred foods, like “milk” or “banana”, also make great first words because they relate to things babies desire and enjoy, making these words both useful and motivating for them to learn. Similarly, favourite toy names, like “ball” or “car”, are often chosen because these are items the baby regularly interacts with and is excited about.
These activities turn playtime and routines into a natural learning opportunity, helping your baby understand how words can be used to communicate and interact with the world around them.
It’s important to remember that not all babies start talking exactly at 12 months—some begin a bit earlier, and others a bit later. However, there are a few developmental milestones to keep in mind:
Check out this blog Understanding Language Delays to learn more about signs of delays.
If your little one is 18 months or older and you’re feeling a bit concerned about their speech development, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Here at Online Speechie, we can assess where your child is at compared to typical milestones and create a personalised plan that suits their needs.
Watching your baby grow and develop their first words is such an exciting journey. Every child learns at their own pace, but if you’re ever unsure or just want a little extra support, don’t hesitate to reach out to us here. We offer face-to-face supports and telehealth services to ensure your child gets the support they need.
Borovsky, A. (2015). Common Early Words and Vocabulary Growth in Young Children. Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences. Retrieved from https://artsandsciences.fsu.edu​:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Frank M, Braginsky M. Language Development in Babies: Early Words and Semantic Categories. Stanford Language and Cognition Lab. Available from: https://langcog.stanford.edu​:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Your Baby’s First Words: Language Milestones and Early Communication. Chatterbox. Available from: https://www.chatterbox.com.au/child-development/your-baby-s-first-words/
First Words and Encouraging Speech: A Practical Guide. Online Speechie [Instagram post]. Available from: https://www.instagram.com/p/CimWbIJvEdY/?img_index=3