Is this something to be concerned about? - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

Delia79 · 04-17-2008, 05:23 AM

I was curious, and please don't laugh at me for worrying so much, but here it goes. My 9 month old daugther does not say mama and dada. She only says dada. Is this a big deal? At her 9 month check up the doctor asked me if she was saying mama and dada, like she should've been saying both? I told him that she only says dada and he didn't have a response either way. By that I mean, he didn't say that was ok or not ok. So I am just wondering. I hate comparing children but my best friend's little girl is four days older than my daughter and my other friend's little girl is one month younger. They both say mama and dada. At first I thought it was funny because me being the one who spends most of the time with our daughter figured she would say mama. NOPE! Dada for everything. Is this normal or should she be attempting to say more things by now? She will make noises and says other things that make no sense like ga, ba, and whatever else. Just no mama!

luckydarlin · 04-17-2008, 07:02 AM

Oh I think this is totally normal! Most people will tell you that Dadda always comes before Momma - I think because the "d" is the easier sound to make. My little girl did the same thing - NEVER said Momma and I was surprised because I am with her all day every day. At about 10 months or so she started saying Momma, but then she got to the point at 10 1/2 to 11 months that she would ONLY say Mamma and nothing else. She will have a whole big conversation (now at 12 months) and it's all "momma momma ma ma ma momma". My poor husband is wondering what the heck happened to "Dadda" and when she says "Momma" he will say, "no, I'm Dadda", and she just yells back "Momma". Her doctor says it's totally normal - they get stuck on a sound and stick with it for a while. She also said more words come over the first year - some kids a little quicker than others...but don't be surprised if in a month she is spouting out more words. It seems like in a matter of a month she learned a few more words.

I was secretly sad when she wouldn't say "Mamma", but now that it's the only thing she says, I would LOVE to hear her call "Dadda"!!!

LauraLu · 04-17-2008, 08:28 AM

Hey Delia ~ I have to agree with the previous poster. It's totally normal! I think the fact that she is making sounds - any kind of sounds - is what counts. Although, I can understand your frustration.
Madeline will ONLY say Mama. I secretly get a kick out of it. We have her on video with me saying, "No, Madeline, it's Dadda." She yells, "MAMA!!!!" It's so funny.
Keep working with her. She get it! The /d/ sound is much easier to get first. Take Care!!!

Delia79 · 04-17-2008, 10:05 AM

Whew, thanks girls, I feel better now!

I really don't feel sad that she won't say mama, just wanted to make sure it was normal. My husband gets a kick out of the fact that she only says dada, and that's fine. We both know which one she comes to when she really wants something so that is what counts.

LauraLu, Ella will do the same thing as Madeline except reversed. She says Dada and I will say no, I am mama. She just yells back Dada. Little stinker. Knowing her personality she probably isn't saying mama because she knows how much I want her to. As long as it's normal that is all that matters.

Thanks again girls!