Bébé

Bébé is a French noun meaning “baby.” It refers to a very young child, typically from birth to about one year old. In Francophone contexts it is both a neutral reference and a term of endearment used by families (for example, mon bébé). The word is also encountered in English-language writing as a loanword to evoke French speech or style.

Etymology and forms: Bébé comes from the French reduplication of a babytalk syllable, with both e vowels bearing acute accents: bé - bé. The standard plural is bébés. The term is widely used in francophone regions and in contexts where French terminology is preferred.

Development and care: In the first year, typical milestones include improved head control, rolling over, sitting with support, crawling, and beginning to stand or walk with assistance. Teething often begins around six months. Care basics cover feeding (breast milk or formula), sleep, diapering, and safety measures such as safe sleep environments, proper handling, and appropriate car-seat use.

Cultural usage: Bébé appears in everyday speech as an affectionate address and in literature, music, and media to denote infancy or parental affection. It is used beyond French-speaking communities in global contexts to convey a sense of French culture or to evoke a baby-themed brand or product.