First words and language

Babbling with consonants ("ba," "da," "ma") usually appears around 6 months. By 9–12 months, most babies use "mama" and "dada" specifically for the right parent, plus 1–3 other words. Comprehension always outpaces speech — a 12-month-old who says 3 words may understand 30. Point at things as you name them. The pairing of gesture, word, and object is what accelerates vocabulary. Read board books daily, sing on repeat, and narrate what you're doing. The rhythm and repetition of language is what wires it. Bilingual households: babies exposed to multiple languages may have slightly fewer words in each at first but the same total vocabulary. It's completely normal and beneficial long-term.