Says at least three words besides mama/dada

What is this milestone?

Vocabulary expansion

Your child's vocabulary has expanded to include at least three to five distinct, consistent words used in context, alongside 'mama' and 'dada'.

Why it matters

This milestone marks the beginning of the 'language explosion.' Their brain is rapidly categorizing the world, and they are discovering the immense power of verbal communication to interact, request, and identify.

What to expect leading up to it

Words may still be mispronounced (e.g., 'wawa' for water), but their meaning is clear. They will often point to objects while saying the word and may become frustrated if you don't understand them immediately.

How to encourage and support it

Read daily, talk incessantly, and be a good listener. When they use a word, repeat it back correctly in a full sentence to model proper pronunciation without directly correcting them ('Yes, that is a big dog!').

When to talk to your doctor

The CDC's milestone checklists say what most children (75% or more) can do by each age. They list “Tries to say three or more words besides ‘mama’ or ‘dada’” by 18 months. If your child is not doing this by then, the CDC's advice is not to wait: talk with your child's doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening. The same goes at any age if your child loses a skill they once had, or if anything else about their development worries you. Source: the CDC's “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” milestone checklists, checked October 5, 2026.

CDC: Milestones by 18 months · CDC: all milestone checklists