Introduction
When it comes to referring to small children, there are many different words such as babies, infants, toddlers, and kiddies. While all these terms are used for small children, there is a clear difference between a baby and an infant. In this article, we will highlight the differences between these two terms.
Babies
Typically, any child below the age of 4 years is referred to as a baby. Whether it is a newborn or a young child, we commonly use the term baby. However, there are developmental stages in the early years of a child’s life. The smallest of babies are the newborns in the first few days of their lives. The term infant, on the other hand, is reserved for kids before the age of 1 year. So, if you have a few months old child, the doctor would refer to him or her as an infant.
Infant
An infant is a human baby in their first year of life. However, until they complete the first three months, they are considered as newborns. Technically, infants are between 3-12 months old. However, in some countries, babies up to the age of 3 years are referred to as infants. The term infant comes from a Latin word that means speechless or someone who cannot speak.
Difference between Babies and Infants
– Both babies and infants refer to very young human offspring, but the term infant is more commonly used among doctors.
– Typically, human babies between the ages of 1-12 months are referred to as infants, but in some countries, babies up to 3 years old are called infants.
– The term infant is derived from Latin and means someone who is unable to speak.
– Infancy is a stage in the development of a human baby, and it is not incorrect to call an infant a baby.
– The confusion arises because of the presence of infant formula and baby formula, which may make people think that the two terms are used for different ages.
Highlights
1) The terms “baby” and “infant” are often used interchangeably to refer to young children, but there is a clear distinction between the two. Infants are typically defined as children under the age of 1.
2) While it is common to refer to children under the age of 4 as babies, technically they are infants until they reach their first birthday. However, some countries may refer to children up to the age of 3 as infants.
3) The word “infant” is derived from a Latin word meaning “someone who is unable to speak,” highlighting the stage in a baby’s development when they are not yet able to communicate verbally.
