What are the primary developmental achievements of a baby from birth to two years?

The main developmental achievements during the first two years include rolling over, sitting independently, crawling, first verbalizations, standing, walking, and learning to interact and play with others.

What growth milestones are achieved during a baby’s first year?

During the first year, infants typically triple their birth weight and grow about 10 inches in length as part of normal physical development.

At what age do infants begin to speak their first words?

Most infants begin speaking simple words like "mama" or "dada" between 9 and 12 months of age.

Which vaccines should parents be aware of from birth to two years?

From birth to two years, recommended vaccines include Hepatitis B, DTP, Polio, Hib, MMR, Varicella, and annual injectable influenza vaccines, as advised during regular health check-ups.

Which foods should infants be introduced to when starting solid foods?

Medical experts recommend starting solid foods at around 6 months with iron-fortified cereals, followed by pureed fruits, vegetables, and meat combinations.

When should a baby switch from breast milk or formula to cow’s milk?

Most children transition from breast milk or formula to cow’s milk at around one year of age, though pediatricians may recommend a different timeline based on individual needs.

Precious Infancy to Toddler: A Baby’s First Two Years

Last Updated on December 28, 2025 by Healthy Home

Baby’s First Two Years from Infancy to toddler is the important period of milestone & brain development in all respect. Precious Infancy to Toddler

Reviewed by Public Health Expert (MPH), with experience in maternal and child health programs.

Medical Disclaimer : This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. For personalized guidance, consult a qualified healthcare provider. This article was reviewed by a Public Health Expert (MPH) with experience in maternal, infant and adolescent programs aligned with WHO and UNICEF frameworks.

Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The most valuable and potent period of life of a baby is the first two years of his life. This stage is characterized by rapid development of the brain, increase in immunity, emotional attachment and exceptional physical, cognitive and social strides in children. A happy, confident and healthy child is formed with the help of the right care, love, nutrition and environment.

This article contains an explanation of what parents ought to know between birth and 24 months, feeding, sleep, milestones, emotional care, safety, vaccinations, red flags, and key parenting practices.

Table Of Contents

Day of Birth : Necessary Newborn Care
Birth to 6 Months: Infant Feeding, Bonding and Early Development.
6-12 Months: Learning and Curiosity and First Milestones – Precious Infancy to Toddler
Baby Second year (12-24 months) Walking, Talking, Independence
Medical Examinations and Immunizations
Caution: When to use medical assistance.
Emotional Care & Positive Parenting
Concluding Points:
FAQs:

Day of Birth : Necessary Newborn Care

The early life after the birth is very critical. Newborn care should be recommended as:

Be with the baby and mother, in case you can.
Begin to touch the skin of the child at birth.
Check proper positioning and latch of breastfeeding.
Breastfeed the baby during the first hour.
Delayed cord clamping (at least 1 minute after birth) is better than iron status and health of babies.
Take colostrum (original thick yellow milk) — it improves immunity.
Frequent breastfeeding (812 times/day) during the first days.
Newborns can be child with black/dark green stool (meconium) first of all – it is normal.
Wet diapers generally increase from day 5 onwards.
A majority of babies gain birth weight within a period of day 10.

Treat your newborn with care, keep them warm and act as fast as possible to the baby. The attachment affects the early bonding that provides your baby with the feeling of security and love.

Day of birth - necessary newborn care by parents

Birth to 6 Months: Infant Feeding, Bonding and Early Development.

The six months will be the beginning of the lifetime health.

Feeding
- 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding (no water, liquids or food except upon medical recommendation).
- Breast milk is anti-protective against infections, brain developmental, and immuno-genic.
- Keep on breastfeeding to 2 years or more.
Development & Stimulation
- Your baby benefits from:
- Talking softly and lovingly
- Gentle touch and cuddling
- Eye contact and smiling
- Toys of bright colors, safe due to age.
- Singing or soothing sounds
- No lack of responsiveness in interrelation.
Safety & Care
- Shake baby- Shaken Baby Syndrome is fatal.
- Do not have a screen time (mobiles, TV, tablets).
- Make sure that there is safe back sleeping, firm mattress, no pillows or heavy blankets.

Birth to 6 months of age baby - infant feeding, bonding

6-12 Months: Learning and Curiosity and First Milestones – Precious Infancy to Toddler

A half year baby is more aggressive and inquisitive. This stage promotes learning, motor development and emotion development.

Feeding
- Continue breastfeeding.
- Complementary foods should be added at 6 months:
- Iron-rich cereals
- Need mashed fruits and vegetables.
- Mashed puree and protein foods.
- Provide different kinds of textures, colors, and tastes.
- Finger foods should be encouraged at 8-9 months in case safe.
Development & Play
- Most babies may: Sit with or without support
- Crawl or attempt movement
- Babble may be pronounced as mama or dada.
- Be interested and also listen to voices.
- Recognize familiar people
- Provide:
  - Safe play space
  - Age-appropriate toys
  - Lots of love and interaction
  - Do not use baby walkers they can cause more injury. Floor play which is supervised or Push-toys are safer.

6 - 12 months of baby - learning and curiosity wtih first milestone

Baby Second year (12-24 months) Walking, Talking, Independence

This is a discovering stage, the learning stage, and the personality-filled stage.

What Infants Should Use By the Time they are One – Many children begin to:
- Walk independently Climb and explore
- Use meaningful words, develop vocabulary.
- Be emotional, loving and interested.
- Acquire social behavior by means of interaction.
Parenting During This Stage
- Make the environment safe and friendly to the children.
- Foster playing, narration, music and talking.
- Be positive instead of screaming or criticizing.
- Ensure that there are regular guidelines among caregivers.
- Form a feeling of emotional safety by the use of love and assurance.

Medical Examinations and Immunizations

Routine check-ups with a child can be used to maintain good health. The vaccinations that are normally recommended between the age of birth and two years old may include:

Hepatitis B
DTP
Polio
Hib
MMR
Varicella
Influenza (as advised)

Never miss any schedule on the pediatrician as some countries may have different recommendations.

Medical examinations and immunisation of a baby

Caution: When to use medical assistance.

Request the advice of a pediatrician whenever your child:

Smaller, does not smile, does not socialize.
Cannot sit by 9 months
Does not walk by 18 months
Demonstrates continued inability to gain milestones.
Has low eye contact or non responsive to sound.
Suffers feeding or breathing disability.

Early intervention is very beneficial to development.

When to parent ask for medical assistance

Emotional Care & Positive Parenting

Children thrive when they feel:

Loved
Secure
Valued

Avoid

Shaming in public
Comparing your child and other children.
Constant criticism

Encourage:

Patience
Support
Mistakes are perceived as learning.
Gentle discipline
Positive communication

Confidence, emotional stability and good mental health are developed with the help of a nurturing environment.

Emotional care and positive parenting of a baby

Concluding Points:

The two years that your baby will spend are invaluable. When you give your child the proper nutrition, emotional affection, medical care, secure environment, and caring giving, it becomes stronger physically, mentally and emotionally. wait, take pleasure in every success, and delight in every moment.

In order to get more instructions on child development, also read:

https://healthhom.com/early-detection-of-developmental-delay-of-a-child-02-months-to-06-months-age.html

FAQs:

Q1. The primary developmental achievements that characterize a baby from birth to two years old consist of what?requires between the moment of birth, and their second birthday.

Ans. The main developmental achievements for babies consist of rolling their bodies aside, achieving sitting independently, crawling development, first verbalizations, mastering the ability to stand and learning to walk along with learning to play with others.

Q2. What are the baby’s first year of growth to achieve specific milestones?

Ans. From birth until their first year infants naturally attain three times their original weight while extending themselves by a total of 10 inches in length.

Q3. What age do infants begin to Praying?

Ans. Two words can speak mama or dada during 9 to 12 months of age.

Q4. What all parents be aware of the vaccines in which their child requires between the moment of birth, and their second birthday.

Ans. When getting annual health check-ups, your doctor should offer you Hepatitis B, DTP and Polio, plus Hib, together with MMR and Varicella, as well as injectable influenza.

Q5. Infants require which foods among others when they start their dietary introduction?

Ans. Medical authorities recommend beginning infant food consumption with iron-based cereals and pureed fruit and vegetable and meat combinations starting at 6 months of age.

Q6. What is the appropriate time for switching a baby from breast milk or formula feed to cow’s milk?

Ans. It is common for children to switch from breast milk or formula to cow milk at one year of age but a pediatrician might approve a different timeframe.

Related Health Articles from Healthy Home:

Early Childhood Development – Complete Guide:
Understanding Early Childhood Development
Global Developmental Delay – Child Health Resource:
Global Developmental Delay in Children
Pre-Pregnancy Planning – Women’s Health Guide:
Pre-Pregnancy Planning for Women
Healthy Lunch Box Ideas – Child Nutrition:
Healthy Lunch Box Ideas for Kids
Human Development & Evolution – Educational Article:
Why the Human Child Is Unique and What Makes Us Human

Trusted References and Research Sources:

1. UNICEF – Child Development Milestones:
Your Baby’s Developmental Milestones

2. Healthline – Baby Development Stages:
Baby Development Stages by Month

3. PubMed Central – Infant Development Study:
Infant Development and Early Life Research

4. WHO – Essential Newborn Care Guidelines:
Essential Newborn Care Practices (WHO)

5. ResearchGate – Infant Development Study:
Infant Development: The First 3 Years of Life

6. WHO – Motor Development Milestones:
Child Motor Development Milestones (WHO)

7. WebMD – Baby Milestones Guide:
Baby Milestones in the First Year

PubMed – Infant Growth and Development Study:
Infant Growth and Development Research

9. PubMed Central – Early Childhood Development Study:
Early Childhood Development and Health Outcomes

Reference: WHO for Baby’s First Two Years and its link as mentioned below: https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-development/your-babys-developmental-milestones

For more detail, please visit to my website as mentioned below:

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About the Author – “Mr. Bibhu Ranjan Mund”, Master in Public Health (MPH) from IIHMR University, Jaipur (Rajasthan) has experience of 18 years in Public Health activities. Through “Healthy Home”, we share the evidence & experienced based health & wellness guides with solutions for every day well-being.

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