An Adelaide mother who bashed her toddler so severely the child almost died from her injuries has been jailed for more than three years.

The South Australian District Court heard the woman, who was 17 when she gave birth, inflicted a number of "forceful blows" on her daughter at Smithfield in the northern suburbs in 2013.

The toddler was so badly injured she was possibly days, if not hours, from death when her grandparents took her to hospital in an unconscious state.

The woman, now 22, was earlier this year found guilty of criminal neglect after being tried by a judge without a jury.

Judge Jack Costello said the injuries were similar to a child who had been in a serious accident.

"Such extensive internal injuries are usually only seen in children involved in serious car crashes, falls from great heights or kicked by a horse," he said.

Judge Costello said while the woman had no prior convictions and had matured since her offending, she had shown little to no remorse for what she had done.

"I remain guarded about your prospect of rehabilitation due to your downplaying of your offending," he said.

The mother cried in the dock as he described her offence as "appalling" and "deserving of the utmost condemnation" and ruled against a suspended sentence.

"Your offending is just too serious," Judge Costello said.

The mother could be eligible for parole in one year and nine months.

Her partner, who was 24 at the time of the attack, did not seek medical attention for the toddler and was also found guilty of criminal neglect.

Judge Costello gave him a suspended 15-month jail sentence and a three-year good behaviour bond.

"I regard your inaction as nothing more than a callous disregard for her care," he said.

The child remains in the care of the mother's parents.