I tell my 16 month old charge "mama is at work, we'll see her after swim lessons. Heather is here with you. Can you say Heather?" She recently learned to say my name but still calls me mama. When prompted, she will say my name and pat her chest. I guess I do this when I say my name and since she's a signing whiz, she assumed that was the sign for my name! Haha!

Anonymous wrote:
This is a common phase in speech acquisition. It's called generalization. For awhile, all women are mama, all four legged animals are dogs, etc. Just show him a picture of his mama and point to yourself and tell him your name. He'll get it as he learns to differentiate.

Until what age (at the latest) would you consider it a common phase, until it becomes a real concern?

Research is somewhat conflicted on this. The upper limit seems to be at age four, although honestly, in the field, so to speak, most kids work this out between the ages of two and three, and many between the ages of 16 months and two years.

"Mama is at work but don't worry - she'll be home at 6 to give you dinner/bath/put you to bed/whatever. [Name baby should use for you] is here to take care of you now - would you like to go have lunch/read books/play game/whatever?".

As other PPs have pointed out, for a young child with (presumably) a limited vocabulary, it's just a name, not an assessment of roles. Once you clarify who you are a few times, the baby will hopefully start trying to say your name.

^^ *grew

for the kid I previously looked after, I was 'mommy,' my sisters were "mommy,' hell, even my brother was 'mommy.' everybody was 'mommy,' and it was funny. of course he eventually crew out of it.

Yes, this is common but it's also a sign that language comprehension is starting so you can start teaching your name. Also keep a picture of Mama (and Dada or MOmmy or whoever else) handy so you can say "Here is Mama, I am Nanny"

My almost two year old calls all men daddy and all women mommy.

Anonymous wrote:This is a common phase in speech acquisition. It's called generalization. For awhile, all women are mama, all four legged animals are dogs, etc. Just show him a picture of his mama and point to yourself and tell him your name. He'll get it as he learns to differentiate.

Until what age (at the latest) would you consider it a common phase, until it becomes a real concern?

This is a common phase in speech acquisition. It's called generalization. For awhile, all women are mama, all four legged animals are dogs, etc. Just show him a picture of his mama and point to yourself and tell him your name. He'll get it as he learns to differentiate.

Anonymous wrote:When my charge went through this phase, I would simply say mama is working, or show him a picture of mama. As she got older and continued (maybe 16 months or so) I taught her to say nanny and that helped solve the issue.

"Nanny" is an excellent easy name to teach babies. The parents should be on board with supporting that. I know it's a matter of personal preference, but I don't like children addressing adults by their first name. It sets you up to be more of a big sis babysitter type, rather than a professional. Just my opinion.

In the PP, him should be her.. It's early in CA

When my charge went through this phase, I would simply say mama is working, or show him a picture of mama. As she got older and continued (maybe 16 months or so) I taught her to say nanny and that helped solve the issue.

Don't worry about it. My niece went through a similar stage where "mama" meant any lady. A child that age isn't making judgements about who is the primary caregiver

If you are the main person in his life, it's easy to understand. I hope he doesn't do it in front of his mother.

When he calls you Mama, I'd give him a warm smile and say your name, Miss so-and-so.

So it has become apparent to me that the baby I nanny calls me 'mama'. At first I thought he just saying 'mama' but he chases me around the house saying it now an when I hold him he says it. I don't say anything because I want to encourage him to speak but I'm not his mother!

Has anyone had this issue? How did you respond?