By what age do babies often say "Mama" and "Dada" non-specifically?

Around 9 months of age, babies typically begin to produce sounds that resemble "Mama" and "Dada" non-specifically. At this stage of development, infants are experimenting with their vocalizations and may use these terms without any direct reference to their parents. It reflects a significant milestone in language development, where babbling evolves into more intentional sounds. Although they may not yet associate these sounds with their specific caregivers, the ability to reproduce these syllables is an important precursor to meaningful speech.

This age also coincides with cognitive development changes, where infants start to understand the patterns of communication and begin to form social connections through these sounds. Recognizing this milestone helps caregivers understand the progression of language skills and encourage further vocalization, which is essential for their communication development.