English terminology has given titles to children like newborn, infant, and toddler. However, parents may need clarification about the meaning of these terms.
There is no rocket science. Each title follows a specific age group, and parents need to know that.
Newborn Vs. Infant Vs. Toddler - What’s The Difference?
Most parents still don't know the age-appropriate titles for their children that they can use in formal situations. A clear understanding of these terminologies will help parents shop for age-appropriate items for their kids.
|
Baby Title |
Age Group |
|
Newborn |
0 - 2 months |
|
Infant |
> 12 months |
|
Toddler |
1 - 3 Years |
Age Group - Newborn
Age: 0-2 months
WHO defines that newborns and neonates are babies younger than 28 days old. Generally, the age of a newborn is considered from the time the baby is born till two months.
What Milestones To Expect From A Newborn?
Newborn babies are very sensitive, so extreme care must be provided to nurture them. You can expect the following milestones from a newborn baby.
- Weight:
The average weight of a newborn baby ranges from 2.5 kgs to 3.5 kgs. However, the weight of a newborn during the first 15 days fluctuates.
- Height:
The height of a newborn ranges from 46 cm to 56 cm.
- Movements:
Newborns move their heads, arms, and legs. Moreover, they respond to their surrounding voices by showing some facial reactions.
- Communication:
Newborns communicate via cry. They will cry to share with you whether they are disturbed or hungry. Moreover, newborns also smile and make eye contact.
- Food Intake:
The only food for newborn is either mother feed or formula milk
Newborn Care Guidelines
Every baby is different in terms of achieving milestones. But you must consider visiting a paediatrician if you see any delayed milestones in your newborn. The following may be the reasons for you to consult the doctor.
- Newborns haven't started smiling after two months.
- When they haven't started making eye contact for two months.
- They do not grasp any lightweight toys for two months.
It is essential to get them checked if you see any of the above delayed developmental milestones.
Product Recommendation
The newborn essentials that are a must-have are:
- Tummy Time Playmat
- Baby Bouncers and Rockers
- Baby Cot
- Hanging Baby Toys
- Bathing Seat
Also Read: New Parents Checklist – What Should You Buy Before Baby Arrives
Age Group - Infant
Age: < 12 months
Children younger than1 year are referred to as infants. Infants undergo major stages of cognitive and brain development.
What Milestones To Expect From An Infant?
Infants need colourful surroundings to explore their environment and develop vital motor skills. An infant has the following developmental milestones;
- Weight
By the age a baby reaches a year, their weight is three times his birth weight.
- Height
You can expect an increase in their height from around 70 cm till their first birthday.
- Movements (Walking, Sitting & Crawling)
Most infants can start sitting without support from 4 months until nine months. In addition to that, infants also start walking independently around one year. You can expect an infant to achieve their crawling milestone around six months.
- Communication
They can smile, nod, babble, respond to your instructions, clap, and even recognize their family members. Moreover, they can respond to their names too. Furthermore, an infant can utter a few words too, for example, "mama," "baba," etc.
- Food Intake
An infant takes both solids and breast milk or formula milk. Some of their milk teeth erupt too.
Also Read: When Do Babies Start to Sit? All You Need to Know
Infant Care Guidelines
Babies under 1 year achieve major developmental milestones. However, any developmental delay is alarming for parents. You must visit a paediatrician if you see the following signs in your infant.
- Your infant doesn't respond to their name.
- They are unable to hold their neck.
- Unable to sit without support.
- Does not wave or point out the items around them.
- Unable to grasp things or reach to them.
- Hasn't started crawling yet.
Product Recommendation
You can opt for the following products to smooth your infant’s growing journey.
- Push walkers
- Baby walker with toys & music
- Musical or talkative toys
- Cloth books
- Shape sorters
- High Chair for feeding the babies
Age Group - Toddler
Age: 1 to 3 years
By definition, the term toddler refers to a child who has just started walking. Any kid that falls between one to three years of age is called a toddler.
What Milestones To Expect From A Toddler?
Many developmental milestones are going on in your toddler's life, from one to three years. A toddler can walk, crawl, sit, talk, etc.
Let's have a look over toddlers' milestones.
- Weight
An ideal toddler’s weight is about 10 kg to 15 Kg.
- Height
Their height ranges from 74 cm to 95 cm
- Movements (Walking, Jumping & Climbing)
Toddlers can walk and jump. Moreover, they can even climb stairs.
- Communication
A toddler can understand your instructions and communicate. They can talk in phrases too. They can utter a few words. Moreover, by the age of three, your toddler can learn many things, for example, the alphabet, numbers, animals, colours, etc.
- Food Intake
They started learning to chew and develop eating skills.
Also Read: 5 Effective Ways to Teach Your Toddler How to Talk?
Toddler Care Guidelines
As per CDC, between one and three years is ideal for detecting a child's disorders, including autism and ADHD. Therefore, you must note your toddler’s actions thoroughly. You can consult the doctor if your toddler;
- Does not respond to their name.
- Avoids making eye contact.
- Does not adhere to your clear directions.
- Hasn't started walking or maintaining balance.
- Has issues swallowing and chewing food.
Product Recommendation
Products suitable for your toddlers are:
- Sippy Cups
- Bath Tub
- Stuff Toys
- Cycles
- Push Cars
- Reading and Writing Books
- Drawing and Painting materials
Final Thoughts
Understanding what newborn, infant, and toddler mean is essential. Though you are going shopping for kids or consulting a paediatrician, calling your baby with the right age title is very important.
In a nutshell, a newborn is a baby who is just born and up to 2 months of age. Moreover, a baby under a year old is referred to as an infant. A toddler is a baby between one and three years old. Above four years or beyond, you can refer to your kid as a baby. It is how you can differentiate between these four terms.