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

With infertility affecting an estimated one in six couples, experts at the Times Network India Health Summit 2026 spoke about the importance of seeking timely reproductive health advice and acquiring awareness about treatment options.

They discussed how advancements in fertility treatment have improved the chances of conception, but in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cannot guarantee a pregnancy.

During a panel discussion titled “The Fertility Revolution: Reimagining Parenthood in Modern India,” experts also examined how technology is shaping fertility care, while focusing on the limits of treatment, the cost of repeated IVF cycles and the dire need to address stigma around infertility.

IVF Is A Ray Of Hope For Many Couples But Not A Guarantee

Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, Founder and Managing Director of Bloom IVF India, spoke about the improvement in IVF outcomes over the past three decades. “When I started my own area in 1990, the success rate was 5%. Now it has gone to 30%,” he said.

Pai also spoke about the expansion of India's fertility treatment sector, saying the country had moved from an emerging field to one with centres capable of matching international units in performance.

Technology is also fueling more possibilities in reproductive treatment. Pai discussed the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to assist with embryo selection, egg assessment and sperm identification, alongside emerging techniques like robotic-assisted microinjection.

However, Dr. Abha Majumdar, Emeritus Consultant in IVF and Human Reproduction at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, cautioned against allowing these advances and spoke about the importance of maintaining unrealistic expectations.

“IVF is not a miracle,” she said, emphasising that patients should receive accurate information about likely outcomes and the limitations of treatment.

Majumdar also raised concerns about AI-generated advertisements promising successful IVF cycles. She stressed that technological progress does not remove the responsibility to communicate treatment outcomes honestly and compassionately.

Age And Fertility Preservation

Also read: Unspoken Side Of Breast Cancer: Experts Discuss Recurrence Risk, Emotional Toll & Societal Impact At Times Health Summit 2026

For couples considering parenthood later in life, understanding age-related fertility decline is important. Dr. Ranjana Sharma, Senior Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, explained that women are born with a finite supply of eggs, which declines over time.

She highlighted the need for greater awareness of reproductive timing and the options available to people who plan to delay pregnancy.

Majumdar also discussed reproductive autonomy, noting that women increasingly have the freedom to decide when, or whether, to have children. However, she cautioned against viewing egg freezing as a guarantee of future pregnancy, describing it instead as a form of insurance.

Fertility preservation may also be relevant for people facing medical treatments that could affect their reproductive potential. Pai highlighted egg freezing before chemotherapy or radiation therapy as an option for some women who wish to preserve the possibility of having children later.

Sperm freezing can similarly help some men preserve fertility before cancer treatment or in circumstances where future fertility may be a concern.

Financial Burden Of IVF

Also read: Excessive Screen Time & Mental Health: Expert Urges Parents To Limit Children's Screen Time At Times Health Summit 2026

Even when treatment is available, its cost can be anobstacle. Some patients require more than one IVF cycle, making the overall expense staggering.

Majumdar warned that repeated treatment can become expensive for some families. Although access to fertility services and insurance coverage have improved, affordability remains an important concern.

She also emphasised that patients need realistic information before beginning treatment, including an understanding that one cycle may not result in pregnancy.

Dr. Vimal Grover, who spoke about rising infertility and changing reproductive patterns, identified delayed marriage and childbearing, along with work-related stress, among the factors she had observed. She also pointed to AI's potential role in transforming fertility care.

“One in six couples is infertile,” Grover said. The figure highlights the scale of the infertility crisis in the country.

Male Infertility Remains Overlooked

The panel also addressed the tendency to blame women when couples experience difficulty conceiving. Sharma said women are often held responsible for infertility, even though reproductive difficulties can involve either partner. She also said that fertility specialists increasingly make a point of consulting both partners to encourage shared responsibility for getting tested and treated.

Pai similarly emphasised the importance of evaluating male fertility. Alongside sperm freezing before chemotherapy or radiation therapy, he highlighted its relevance for men with low sperm counts and some patients who may need fertility treatment in the future.

The experts urged couples experiencing difficulties conceiving to seek medical advice rather than feel ashamed or assume that infertility is solely a woman's concern.

The panel was part of the Times Network India Health Summit 2026, held in New Delhi under the theme “The Blueprint for a Future-Ready Healthcare Ecosystem – Innovation. Access. Self-Reliance.” The summit brought together healthcare leaders, clinicians, researchers, policymakers and industry stakeholders to discuss the future of India's healthcare system.

At the Times Network India Health Summit 2026, Dr. Deepak Kumar, Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) said that suicidal thoughts should be treated as a medical emergency requiring immediate professional help, just as in cardiac emergencies.

He said, “A death wish is usually a cry for help. Just as we provide immediate medical care during cardiac emergencies, suicide risk also requires urgent medical attention.”

Speaking during a session titled “The Next Frontier in Indian Psychiatry: Specialization, Geriatric Mental Health, and De-addiction Strategies”, Dr. Kumar discussed the importance of recognising early warning signs and monitoring screen time in children to prevent serious mental health disorders.

Dr. Kumar stressed that suicidal thoughts or a wish to die should never be treated casually as they could be silent cries for help.

"It is a very good thing to give space to mind and mental health in a health conclave. If we look at the numbers in our country, the total proportion is alarming. For example, the national mental health survey shows a lifetime prevalence of 13.7%. One in every 5 people has some psychological issue. Suicide statistics show 12 per lakh. Top 3 causes of death in young adults - one of them is suicide."

Excessive Screen Time Can Affect Children's Mental Health

While discussing smartphones and social media, Dr. Kumar said excessive screen use can interfere with daily functioning as one could be hooked on instant dopamine hit.

He spoke about gaming addiction disorders and said that such problematic smartphone use and excessive screen exposure are forms of behavioural addiction.

He said, “I will not advocate a blanket ban on smartphones like in Australia as they can also support education and learning.”

He advocated for judicious use among children and more awareness among parents to prevent excessive screen exposure.

Also read: Children’s Mental Health In The Digital Age: Can Governments Protect Them Without Restricting Internet Access? | Interview

Why Parents Should Set Screen-Time Limits

Dr. Kumar expressed concern about parents giving smartphones to very young children. He also recommended avoiding screen time for children under two and limiting use among older children.

He also said that Parents should pay attention to changes in children's sleep, mood, social interactions and everyday activities. He said looking out for signs like social withdrawal, distress or other behavioural changes should be priority.

Behavioural Changes Can Be Mental Health Concerns

According to Dr. Kumar, psychiatric conditions are often identified through symptoms and changes in a person's thoughts, emotions and behaviour, rather than through blood tests or imaging alone.

Diagnosis depends on the nature, duration and severity of symptoms, as well as their effect on everyday functioning, relationships and family or social life.

A sudden change in behaviour can be a warning sign. Someone who is usually cheerful, for instance, may become withdrawn, gloomy or reluctant to leave their room. Constant mood changes, behavioural outbursts and changes associated with substance use may also warrant attention.

Physical conditions can affect mental well-being, too. Dr. Kumar cited thyroid disorders and diabetes as examples of conditions that may be associated with depression or anxiety.

When Emily Hughes saw that her 18-month-old daughter, Scarlett, had a swollen knee in late 2023, she initially thought it might be an injury from the toddler’s routine playtime. Scarlett was energetic and adventurous, and the swelling did not appear to cause her pain.

But the swelling did not improve, and further examinations eventually led to a diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), a chronic inflammatory condition that affects children.

Hughes, who lives in Australia, told Mamamia that several doctors initially found no cause behind her daughter’s symptoms. The situation changed in February 2024, when Scarlett’s knee became hot, painful and more severely swollen. She could no longer bear weight on the affected leg. “She wouldn’t bear weight, and it was even more swollen,” Hughes said.

Scarlett was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, where doctors initially thought it was septic arthritis, a serious joint infection. Investigations failed but the family continued consulting specialists.

By May, after other possible explanations got investigated, Scarlett was referred to a rheumatologist and diagnosed with juvenile arthritis affecting three joints.

Now four years old, Scarlett is in remission and has returned to physical activities like climbing and doing cartwheels. Her experience highlights why stubborn joint swelling and changes in a young child’s movement deserve emergency medical attention, even when the child is not in pain.

What Is Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis?

Also read: Women And Arthritis: Why Risk Increases After 40

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common form of chronic arthritis in children. It refers to a group of several conditions in which the immune system triggers inflammation in the joints by mistake. Although genetic and environmental factors may contribute, the exact cause is unknown.

The condition can affect children younger than 16 and may involve one or several joints. The knees, ankles, wrists and elbows are commonly affected.

Unlike arthritis, JIA can begin during toddlerhood. Its symptoms may also be difficult to recognise as young children cannot always describe pain, stiffness or discomfort accurately.

There is no single test that confirms JIA. Doctors start by assessing the child’s symptoms, medical history and physical examination, and may use blood tests and imaging to investigate inflammation and rule out other conditions.

Signs Of Juvenile Arthritis Parents Should Not Ignore

Also read: Arthritis Day: Stanford Researchers Explore Possibility To Treat Osteoarthritis Without Knee Replacement Surgery

According to the US National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents should watch for the following symptoms:

1. Continued joint swelling

A knee, ankle, wrist or other joint that remains swollen should be assessed on priority. In JIA, painless swelling may occur even when the child seems comfortable.

2. Morning stiffness

Children may struggle to move a joint after waking up or after sitting still for a long time. Stiffness may improve as they become more active during the day.

3. Limping or reluctance to walk

A toddler who starts limping, avoids putting weight on one leg or has difficulty walking may be experiencing joint inflammation.

4. Difficulty bending or straightening a joint

Limited movement is also one of the signs. A child may struggle to straighten an elbow, bend a knee or move a limb as freely as before.

5. Changes in play and everyday activities

A child who suddenly avoids climbing, running or playing, or struggles with activities they previously dud easily, may have pain or stiffness.

Some children with JIA may also experience fatigue, fever, rash or reduced appetite, depending on the type of disease. Untreated inflammation can damage joints and interfere with a child’s movement and development. Early diagnosis and treatment aim to control inflammation, maintain joint function and help children maintain their usual activities.

JIA can also affect the eyes. Some children develop uveitis, inflammation inside the eye that may cause no obvious symptoms initially but can threaten vision if left untreated. Regular eye examinations are therefore an important part of JIA.