Babies typically start saying "mama" or "dada" between 9-12 months, influenced by repetition and caregiver interaction, marking a crucial milestone in language development.

I hope all the mamas out there had a good Mother's Day. The holiday prompted me to reflect on the kind of mama I'd like to be to Little G, now and as she grows up. These are just some rough-draft ...

“Then, when a baby says ‘mama’ or ‘dada,’ that adult lights up and babies start tying meaning to that word … even if the baby was just exploring how their mouths work,” said Cohen.

Origins The Chimps Who Learned to Say ‘Mama’ Old recordings show captive chimps uttering the word, which some scientists believe may offer clues to the origins of human speech.

“Then, when a baby says ‘mama’ or ‘dada,’ that adult lights up and babies start tying meaning to that word … even if the baby was just exploring how their mouths work,” said Cohen.