Babies' first words are often seen as a important and precious moment in their development, marking the beginning of their journey into verbal communication. For instance, when the baby looks at his or her parent and says "mama" for the first time, it brightens up the parent's face with joy but it is a meaningful connection in their bond that is growing. For parents, these are some sources of pride and joy. But how do you determine whether your child's speech and language are progressing?

Understanding the communication milestones will help monitor a child's development and spot potential issues before they become more serious. The milestones serve as benchmarks to guide health care providers on whether a child needs further assistance.

Importance of Communication Development in Early Years

The first five years of a child's life are the time of massive growth and brain development at an incredible speed. All domains of development find their roots within this period, including communication. From the day they were born, babies start crying to communicate, and within weeks or months, they begin to babble, imitate sounds, and eventually words. Communication is not only important to express needs but also for understanding the world and building relationships. It is an important tool that supports cognitive, emotional, and social development.

Speech Milestones by Age

Babies learn communication skills at their own pace. General milestones can, however serve as a guideline for typical development. Let's go through these milestones by age:

Newborn (0-3 Months)

At this point, the babies communicate mostly through crying. They give cues as to their needs by responding with actions like smacking the lips when hungry or arching the back when they feel overstimulated. At the end of three months, you may also observe:

• Smiles in response to your appearance.
• Cooing sounds.
• Quiets or smiles when spoken to.
• Your voice.
• Different cries for specific needs.

Upto 6 Months

By six months, babies start experimenting with sounds and use their voice to play. Major developments include:

• Making gurgling sounds during play.
• Babbling with different sounds.
• Vocalizing likes and dislikes.
• Responding to the change in tone of voice.
• Turning eyes toward sounds.
• Showing interest in music and sound-making toys.

Till 12 Months

By the first birthday, there are some significant communication milestones that have been achieved:

• Trying to imitate speech sounds.
• Speaking basic words like "mama," "dada," or "uh-oh."
• Responding to simple commands, such as "Come here."
• Recognizing common items by name, like "shoe."
• Turning toward sounds and voices.

Upto 18 Months

In this stage, children learn to understand and use words in a consistent manner. Some of the important milestones are:

• Knows the names of people, objects, and body parts.
• Responds to simple commands with gestures.
• The child says up to 10 words.

End of 24 Months

By two years of age, children usually have more developed communication skills:

• Using simple sentences, like "more milk."
• Asking one- to two-word questions, such as "Go bye-bye?"
• Following simple directions and answering simple questions.
• Saying 50 or more words.
• Being understood by family members at least half the time.

Ways Parents Can Support Development

Parents can be very supportive in developing the communication skills of their child. Here are some effective strategies:

1. Pay Attention to Hearing: Ensure your child responds to sounds and voices. Notice if they react to noise or look at you when spoken to. If you suspect hearing issues, consult your pediatrician promptly.

2. Engage in Conversation: Respond to your baby’s coos and babbles. Talk to them frequently about daily activities, like “Mommy is making breakfast,” or “We’re going to the park.”

3. Imitation Training: Teach your baby to imitate actions and gestures of others, such as clapping, waving, or peek-a-boo. These activities encourage her to understand turn-taking and even nonverbal communication.

4. Animals Sound: Learning time must be fun. Train your baby to imitate an animal's sound, "A cow says 'moo.'". This encourages sound production along with word association.

5. Read and Sing Together: Reading stories and singing songs expose your child to language patterns and rhythm. Make it a daily habit to promote vocabulary growth.

6. Use Your Native Language: Speak to your child in the language you’re most comfortable with. Early exposure to rich language environments helps babies learn effectively.

7. Strengthen Their Attempts: Cheer every time your child tries to speak. Repeat the words and sounds and gently correct as needed. A little "baby talk" is okay but clearly say simple words for them to imitate.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Though every child develops at his own rate, there are some delays that point toward professional intervention. Talk with your child's health care provider if:

- Doesn't turn toward sounds or his name.

- By 12 months, he isn't babbling, and by 18 months, he has not spoken a single word.

- Uses speech in a peculiar manner or shows delayed speech.

Your pediatrician can refer you to some specialist who could be an audiologist or speech-language pathologist for more extensive testing. In the case of a bilingual child, he will also be evaluated by a bilingual speech-language pathologist.

Communication milestones form a kind of roadmap in understanding how your baby develops. This means through conversation, play, and learning activities, you could be able to enhance language skills while promoting your child's development. When concerned about delay, consult professional help, as this might make all the difference by having communication skills set up to meet a great future for your child.

Communication Milestones: Birth to 1 Year. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

In terms of health and nutrition, the first 1,000 days of a child's life lay the foundation for lifelong growth, and development. The first question that pops up in every parent's mind is whether they should to stick to exclusive breastfeeding or alternate it with mixed feeding.

While breastfeeding remains the most effective way to give a baby the healthiest start, there are a few myths surrounding mixed feeding that need to be debunked.

As we observe World Breastfeeding Week 2026, the theme "Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works" reminds us that breastfeeding is one of the most important phases of health in children's lives.

Breastfeeding Vs Mixed Feeding

HealthandMe spoke to Dr. Priya Bansal, Senior Consultant, Gyanaecology and Gynae Oncology, Medanta, Noida and Dr Barkha Pandey, HOD Paediatric Department, MBBS, MD Paediatric, Park Hospital, Palam Vihar about the myths surrounding breastfeeding vs mixed feeding.

Dr Priya Bansal said that when we talk about infant feeding, it's important to move away from the idea that there's a "right" or "wrong" choice for every family. She explains, "While exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is the ideal recommendation because of its well-established health benefits, the reality is that every mother's journey is different."

Explaining the benefits of breastfeeding, Dr Barkha Pandey spoke about why breast feeding is the gold standard.

Dr Barkha Pandey further added, "Exclusive breastfeeding is the best feeding practice for all healthy infants during the first six months of life. This means only breast milk—no water, formula, animal milk, or other foods unless medically indicated. Breast milk provides all essential nutrients, along with antibodies and bioactive factors that protect against infections, support brain development, and promote healthy growth.

Dr Bansal went on to explain about the times when new mothers adopt mixed feeding. Dr Pandey said that there are situations where mixed feeding is necessary, and supplementation should never be seen as failure.

Dr Bansal said, "Some women may experience delayed milk production, have underlying medical conditions, or need to return to work earlier than planned. In such situations, mixed feeding can be a practical and safe option when introduced with the right medical guidance. What concerns us more is when formula is started because of misconceptions like assuming the baby isn't getting enough milk without any medical assessment."

Also read: World Breastfeeding Week: How The First 1,000 Days Of Breastfeeding Shapes A Child's Health For Life

How Long Should You Breastfeed Your Baby?

There are many doubts about how long you should continue to breastfeed your baby. Most experts agree upon the six-month rule of breastfeeding for well-rounded development of the baby, Dr Pandey clarifies if you should keep going even after six months.

She said, "At six months, complementary foods should be introduced to meet increasing nutritional needs. However, breastfeeding should continue alongside complementary feeding until at least two years of age and beyond, for as long as mother and child wish. Even after solids begin, breast milk continues to provide nutrition, immunity, and emotional security."

Both the experts stress upon the fact that while exclusive breastfeeding is the way to go, the priority is always safe, adequate nutrition and supportive, non-judgemental care. When supplementation is needed, parents should be guided with reassurance and clinical guidance, not guilt.

“My child is a picky eater; he hardly eats anything, so should I start giving him a protein shake?” As a pediatric dietitian, I hear this question most often from parents. Be it on the attractive shelves of a supermarket or a post on social media, you will find products that promise your child will be taller, stronger, sharper, and no wonder why parents might feel the fear of missing out!!

But here’s the reassuring truth: No, most healthy children don’t need protein powders/ protein biscuits.

Before talking about this “trendy” supplement, it is important to understand why protein is important and what its functions are.

Why Is Protein Important?

Protein is called the building blocks, and rightly so cause it helps build muscles, stronger bones, good skin, hormones, enzymes, and antibodies. Meaning, for good immune function, for growth and development, or be it for tissue repair, we all need protein.

However, protein is just a block of this big puzzle; we equally need good carbs and good fats along with it. In fact, good carbs, if included in balanced quantities, help protein do its job; we dietitians call it the “protein-sparing action”.

So The Question Arises: Are Children Getting Enough Protein?

Interestingly, Yes. Many of the parents assume that their child is getting less protein cause they are skipping/ refusing or eating small portions, but in reality including small portions even plays a big impact, as child requires less protein than adults and some of the rich protein sources like curd, milk, paneer, eggs, dals, lentils, soya products, lean meat, fatty fishes, nuts & dry fruits do provide good amount of protein.

Let’s take a 5-year-old for an example; A glass of milk along with nuts in the morning, a bowl of thick dal in lunch, and a serving of paneer/ curd in a regular dinner easily meet their daily requirements without any supplements.

Do Protein Powders Make The Children Taller?

No, the child drinking protein powder will not decide the baby’s height. It is influenced by several factors like genetics, overall nutrition, good sleep, regular physical activity, etc. So no direct evidence is found that suggests drinking protein powder only will help children gain height.

So What About The Child Who’s Into Sports?

Most of the time, they also DON’T need the protein powder.

Physically active children usually need more energy overall—not just more protein. A balanced diet with nutritious high-protein meals and snacks is enough for the majority of young athletes. Milk after practice, peanut butter on whole-grain bread, boiled eggs, yogurt with fruit and seeds, or homemade sprouts chaat are all excellent recovery foods.

Then Who Needs Protein Powders?

Children who have been clinically diagnosed with vitamin and mineral deficiencies, or have had some chronic illnesses or surgeries, or have some inborn errors of metabolism will need protein powder.

Are There Any Downsides To Protein Powders?

Many commercial products marketed for children contain added sugars, flavourings, or ingredients that may not be necessary. Some provide far more protein than a child actually needs, along with high sodium and trans fats. Perhaps the biggest concern is that supplements can create a false sense of security. Parents may feel they've "covered nutrition" with a scoop of powder while the child continues to miss out on the benefits of a balanced diet.

Whole foods offer much more than protein. A bowl of dal provides fiber and minerals. Eggs contain choline, which produces acetylcholine- a neurotransmitter necessary for brain development. Dairy products contribute calcium and vitamin B12. Nuts and seeds provide healthy fats like omega-3 and antioxidants. These nutrients work together in ways that a supplement simply cannot mimic.

What Can The Parents Do Instead?

• Include protein in all three major meals: include curd, paneer, 1 bowl of thick dal, a piece of chicken or egg, add flaxseed chutney as a side.
• Do not panic if the child is eating less on some days; it's okay for the appetite to fluctuate according to their moods.
• Make protein familiar and fun- make besan cheelas with different chutneys, make roti pizzas with paneer and cheese on top, make paneer paratha.
• Involve them in cooking; this reduces the chances of picky eating as they feel included in the process.
• Eat together as a family.

In conclusion, always remember that more isn’t always better; as far as the children’s requirements are concerned, they can definitely be fulfilled by adding good, mindful protein options in day-to-day meals. As parents, it's natural to want the very best for your child. The good news is that the best nutrition doesn't usually come from a jar—it comes from a colourful plate, shared family meals, and healthy eating habits built over time.

But remember the simple rule: natural food first, supplements only when they are medically needed.

(By Payoshini Kulkarni, Nutritionist at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Pune)

On Wednesday, the Integrated Health & Wellbeing (IHW) Council on Wednesday released a national white paper urging significant policy reforms to tackle one of India's most overlooked public health challenges: infertility.

The policy includes insurance coverage for fertility treatment, public financing through government health schemes, and fertility benefits at the workplace.

The recommendations were disclosed at the 7th India IVF Summit & Awards 2026, held on World IVF Day, where the IHW Council also launched Mission Fertility 2.1, a national initiative aimed at making fertility care more affordable, accessible and equitable.

The white paper, 'Beyond the Burden of Infertility in India: Towards Reproductive Equity through Mission Fertility 2.1', argues that infertility should be recognised as a core reproductive health issue.

Developed in partnership with IIHMR Delhi, the report draws on evidence from the World Health Organization (WHO), National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and other published research.

The proposal comes at a time when India's total fertility rate has fallen below the replacement level of 2.1. This has renewed conversations around reproductive health, declining birth rates and support for couples who wish to conceive but are battling infertility.

Five Key Reforms Proposed To Tackle Infertility

The white paper outlines five recommendations to improve access to fertility care:

1. Recognise infertility as an essential reproductive health condition.
2. Expand public awareness through ASHA workers, schools and workplaces, while giving greater attention to male infertility.
3. Reform private insurance by reducing waiting periods and improving coverage for fertility treatment.
4. Modernise reimbursement under government health programmes like CGHS and ESIC, and strengthen public financing through public-private partnerships.
5. Encourage employers to include fertility benefits within workplace wellness programmes.

The report also recommends creating a Fertility Benefit Package under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) for economically vulnerable families.

It cites public financing initiatives in Goa, Sikkim and West Bengal as examples of how government-supported fertility care can improve access.

Also read: Delhi HC Allows HPV Vaccine Drive To Continue Due To No 'Immediate Safety Risk'

'Fertility Care Should Not Be A Privilege'

Releasing the white paper, Smt. Baby Rani Maurya, Cabinet Minister for Women Welfare, Child Development and Nutrition, Government of Uttar Pradesh, joined fertility specialists, policymakers, researchers and industry representatives at the summit.

Experts at the summit said advances in clinical fertility technology have not been matched by public awareness, leading many couples to seek medical help only after delays.

Dr Sunita Tandulwadkar, President of the Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction (ISAR), said, "Today is much more than a celebration of a scientific achievement. It is a celebration of hope. India is no longer merely following global advances in IVF. India is helping create them. IVF is not about laboratories or incubators. It is about families waiting to hear a heartbeat, and every patient deserves compassion and the very best science we can offer."

Shivani Sharma, Chief Operating Officer, Bharat Serums and Vaccines (BSV), said stigma continues to delay diagnosis and treatment.

She said, "The gap between what medical science can offer and what many couples can actually access remains one of the biggest challenges before us. Awareness has not progressed at the same pace as science. Fertility conversations remain surrounded by silence and stigma, and by the time couples seek help, valuable time has often been lost."

Meanwhile, Dr Hrishikesh Pai, Founder and Managing Director of Bloom IVF Group and Immediate Past President of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), stressed that expanding access should be the next priority for India's fertility sector.

He said, "India has grown from ten IVF centres in the early days to nearly five thousand today, and the next phase of this journey has to be about access, which rests on four pillars: awareness, availability, affordability and assurance of ethical, quality outcomes."