Baby

What changes between 6 and 12 months
The second half of the first year moves fast. Most babies start solids at around 6 months, get their first teeth, learn to sit steadily, and begin to crawl or scoot. Many pull themselves up to stand before their first birthday. Language develops quickly too, from babble to “mama”, “papa” and pointing. Some babies also start infant care during this time, which often brings a run of coughs, colds and fevers as their immune system meets new germs.
Every baby follows their own timeline, and the normal ranges are wide. Our guides focus on what’s typical, what helps, and the specific signs that mean it’s worth speaking to your doctor.
Feeding and starting solids
Starting solids is the biggest change of this stage. Milk, whether breast milk or formula, stays the main source of nutrition until 12 months. Solids add iron, new tastes and the chance to practise chewing. Our starting solids guide covers readiness signs, first foods (including local favourites such as fish porridge), early allergen introduction and the difference between gagging and choking. If you’re deciding how to start, baby-led weaning vs purees compares the two approaches and explains how a mixed approach works for busy households with grandparents or helpers.
Browse everything on this topic in the feeding and solids hub. If you’re breastfeeding and returning to work, our guide to pumping at work in Singapore can help you keep going.
Milestones and development
Parents naturally watch for milestones such as rolling, sitting, crawling, first words and first steps. In Singapore, development is tracked in your child’s Health Booklet (also on the HealthHub app) and checked at regular screening visits, usually alongside vaccinations at polyclinics, CHAS GPs or your paediatrician. Our month-by-month milestones guide sets out what’s typical from 0 to 12 months and when to talk to a doctor. The teething guide covers first-tooth timelines, safe relief and your baby’s first dental visit.
Find all development content in our milestones hub.
Baby health: vaccinations, fevers and illness
Singapore’s National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS) includes several vaccines in the first year, and they’re fully subsidised for Singapore Citizen children at polyclinics and CHAS GP clinics. Our vaccination schedule guide lays out every jab and what to expect afterwards. Fever is the most common reason parents rush to the doctor, so our baby fever guide explains temperature thresholds by age, red flags and when to head to KKH Children’s Emergency.
Explore more in the baby health hub.
Sleep, skin and everyday care
Many topics from the newborn months carry on into this stage. Safe sleep rules still apply throughout the first year: baby on their back, on a firm, flat surface, with no pillows, bolsters or loose bedding. Our baby sleep hub covers schedules and safe sleep. Eczema and heat rash are common in Singapore’s humid climate, and bath and skin care guides can help. Looking ahead, the toddler hub covers childcare choices and handling tantrums.
How we write our baby guides
Babylove.sg is an independent guide for Singapore parents. Our health content follows mainstream guidance from bodies such as the WHO, MOH, HPB, KKH and the AAP, and we check Singapore-specific details such as vaccine schedules, subsidies and services against official sources. We aim to be practical and non-judgemental. Our guides don’t replace your own doctor, who knows your child. When something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and get your baby checked.