One year after giving birth, our mothers – Damiana from Bolivia, Samah from Egypt, Hiwot from Ethiopia, Renu from India, Bounlid from Lao People's Democratic Republic, and Claire from the United Kingdom – celebrate their baby's first year.

At one year, our babies are becoming little people. They are taking their first steps and speaking their first words. They are also, thankfully, healthy. Every child, with the exception of Lang in the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is fully immunized against childhood diseases. All six children are now eating solid foods and four are still breastfeeding.

WHO recommends that all children receive immunizations against polio, tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, measles, hepatitis B and haemophilus influenzae type B by their first birthday. Starting at six months, WHO also recommends that infants be fed freshly-prepared, nutrient-rich food while continuing to be breastfed for up to two years.

Some of the parents want to have another child. WHO recommends that couples wait at least two years from one birth to the time a woman attempts to become pregnant again.

At WHO we are grateful to the families for giving us, and the world, unique insight into their lives. We hope that you – our readers – do too. We will make sure that your best wishes are conveyed to the families. https://www.who.int/features/great_expectations/en/