Why Does Lettie Call Us Babas?

Hey All,

As a Latino I'm a little confused, maybe it's cause I come from a Cuban family/upbringing and we don't use the same slang but why does Lettie call us "Babas" which is drool/spittle/spit up

The only thing I can think is she's trying to say we're a baby but that'd be "bebe" or if it became more romantic it'd be Mi Corazon or Mi Amor or Mi Vida for my heart/love/life

So I'm just wondering if anyone else has seen an explanation or if maybe in a different culture Babas is a different honorific/pet name