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The English language has several terms for children between the ages of birth and 4 years, including “newborn,” “infant,” “baby,” and “toddler.” These terms are frequently used interchangeably, and their meanings may vary from person to person. In general, these terms refer to different ages and stages of early childhood.
So what age is considered a newborn? What age is a toddler? How about babies and infants? In this section, we go over these terms and the ages they refer to, as well as an overview of the growth and development you can anticipate during each stage.
How old are infants, toddlers, and newborns? Despite the fact that the terms “newborn,” “infant,” “baby,” and even “toddler” are frequently used interchangeably, the precise definition varies depending on the source. To make matters even less clear, there’s some overlap between the most commonly accepted definitions of these stages.
Newborn Age Range And Stage (From Birth To 3 Months)
For clinical care, the World Health Organization (WHO) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) both define a newborn, or neonate, as a child who is 28 days old or younger. Informally, however, many consider newborns to be babies within their first 2 or 3 months of life.
Babies frequently begin to make sounds other than crying two months after their due date—settling down when you pick them up, reacting to loud noises, watching you move, briefly opening their hands, and lifting their heads when placed on their tummies.
Infant Age Range And Stage (From Birth To One Year)
From birth to about the time they begin to toddle around, children are considered infants. Merriam-Webster defines an infant as “a child in the first period of life” but doesn’t give any age specifics. It describes a baby as “an extremely young child.”
In guiding new parents, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) refers to infancy as the stage between birth and one year. Kids develop at an astounding rate between their delivery date and their first birthday. Numerous milestones are likely for them, including sitting up, crawling, and even taking first steps.
Toddler Age Range And Stage (1 To 3 Years)
How old is a toddler? The toddler stage is generally considered to begin when a child is between 1 and 2 years old. For many, an infant is promoted to a toddler just after their first birthday, whether or not they’re officially walking (or toddling) yet.
The CDC defines children ages 1 to 3 as toddlers, 3- to 5-year-olds are characterized as preschoolers. The AAP follows the same definitions. Most people consider the end of the toddler age range to be around the time a child transitions into preschool.
Kids become more mobile and capable of independent exploration as they enter their second year of life.
Developmental Milestones In Toddlers
Because toddlers are like little sponges, they quickly memorize everything. They still need a lot of sleep and may take one or two naps throughout the day, which contributes to a daily total of 11 to 14 hours of sleep. Toddlers enjoy simple games, songs, and rhymes, and they can begin learning their colors, shapes, and alphabet.
When To Seek Medical Guidance
Children develop at different rates, and it’s normal for one child to reach certain milestones at a different age than another. But if you are worried about your baby’s development, don’t hesitate to bring it up with a pediatric health care provider. Your baby’s doctor can reassure you or refer you to a specialist if there’s a need for further evaluation or support.
Parenting Support And Resources
Use our parenting tips to teach your children to have better manners, habits, and behaviors. Keep your relationships with your partner and friends strong after having kids. Learn about traditional and non-traditional family relationships, including single-parent families, families with gay parents, and military families.
Get the scoop on your favorite celebrity parents, and follow along in their pregnancies. How to deal with divorce or separation? We can help. Additionally, we have all information regarding adoption, including the procedure, cost, and expectations.
Pregnancy And Postpartum Guidance
Get reliable information about pregnancy and childbirth. We’ll help you track your pregnancy week-by-week, including how big your baby is today and how your pregnant body is changing. Consult our due date calculator to learn when your baby will arrive. We’ll also help you have a healthy, happy pregnancy with our pregnancy-safe workouts and meal plans. You’ll learn how to make a birth plan, and we’ll tell you what to expect when it comes time to give birth news, and help working moms.
Most breastfed babies will gain weight in a consistent and expected pattern as long as they have a good latch and feed often. But if you’re breastfeeding and your newborn is gaining weight slowly or inconsistently, they may not be getting enough breast milk. Your baby’s growth and development depend on getting enough food. If you think your breastfed baby isn’t growing as much as you expected, here are some things to look for and what to do.
