As I flicked through the internet and searched for random but important pointers for my  baby, I encountered this simple question from a co­mommy: what age is your baby no  longer considered a baby? I realized that this question had been going on my mind  every now and then, too. I immediately sought for answers from blogs, books, and other  legitimate sources. After clicking and typing here and there, it was fascinating to know  that lots of mommies have been searching for answers too and they had discussions on  some blogs regarding it.

 Here are some of the answers I got from my co­mommies:

1. “Whenever your baby learns to walk they will then be considered a toddler.  At  least, this is what I was taught by my son's pediatrician.”
2. “My son will turn 1 and he's no longer considered an infant but yet he's not old  enough to be considered a toddler yet.“ 
3. “As soon as they talk back to you??? I guess by two years of age?!"

Perhaps, this question would give definite and reliable answer even more:  What's the difference between Baby, Newborn, Infant & Toddler?   

Various meanings are given by different references about the term “baby”. Some  reference say, ​a baby is very young child, especially one newly or recently born. While  other suggests that a baby is a person of whom one is deeply fond; sweetheart.  (sometimes initial capital letter) an affectionate or familiar address of endearment. 

Newborn:  
Also termed as a “neonate”. ​The World Health Organization defines a newborn, or  neonate, as a baby under 28 days old. A newborn is only hours, days, or up to a few  weeks old.

Infant: 
Between the ages of 1 month and 12 months, the term “infant” is typically used; though  definitions may vary between birth and 1 year of age, or even up to  2 years of age. This  time your infant will give you the most important information—how she likes to be treated, talked to, held, and comforted. In simple English, many people use the term  'baby' instead of infant. (Fun fact!)

Toddler: 
Your child is advancing from infancy toward and into the preschool years. As the name  implies, a toddler is classically defined as a child who is just learning to walk, or one  who toddles.There's no official definition of the upper limit of toddlerhood. However,  most people consider the end of the toddler age to be around the time a child is ready to  transition into preschool. 

For us mommies, no matter how old our sons and daughters would get, they are then  and still are about the most wonderful person we have ever conceived in this world.  They would always be the same “unborn” we carried for 9 months; bearing all the  wonders and difficulties of pregnancy. They would always be the same ”infant” we first  held in our arms and the reason behind our countless sleepless nights of  nappy­changing and breastfeeding. They would still be the same “toddler” who  confidently and proudly show their newly discovered skill in shooting a ball or fitting the  puzzle. No matter what we call them, amidst all the formalities of term usage: neonate,  infant, toddlers, pre schooler or a teen ager, one thing is certain: they would always be  our babies, forever our precious little ones.

At two months, your baby continues to show off different motor skills. It means that she already has more control over her body. She could hold her head a little steadier while lying on her tummy which means: stronger neck! 

Your baby’s neck is fragile and weak just like her head. However, some observations say that as early as the age of 1 month, the baby usually starts trying to lift her head and turn side to side briefly. Most attempts are unsuccessful (with her head enormously unproportioned to its body) until the baby is 2 month old. By second month, you will start noticing that your baby tries to slowly do the gesture of popping up her head during tummy time. 

Tummy time is placing your baby on his or her stomach while awake and supervised. Tummy time can also prevent the back of your baby's head from becoming flat. In this position, your baby wouldn’t be able to hold for so long and it’s going to be somewhat shaky. If you see resistance every time you put baby on her tummy, try not to stop the practice.Tummy time is very helpful for the development and growth of your baby’s strong head, neck and shoulder muscles and promote certain motor skills.
Neck development in babies is very significant. It will largely help preceding milestones to take place.  Good head control is needed before a baby can sit up, roll over or crawl. Properly developed neck muscles also help a baby learning to eat solid foods, since they are needed for swallowing.
Knowing when do babies hold their head up is not enough, it helps to know how baby's head control develops so that you can do the right thing to encourage her to hold up her head. Mommy, check out your baby’s neck and head development in the following months:

Three months to four months

By this time, she’s going to show improvement in her head control whereas she can pop up her head up to 45 degrees while doing tummy time! Plus, it won’t be so brief and shaky, she can actually hold it up longer and steadier!

Try a fun game that will help to develop your baby's neck muscles. Put your baby on her back on the floor, and slowly pull her up by her hands to a sitting position. Slowly ease her back down, and repeat. She should be able to hold her head more or less in line with the rest of her body as you pull her up. 

Five months to six months

By five to six months, your baby should be able to hold her head steady and upright. Her head shouldn't lag behind her body as you pull her up to sit.

Parents don't have to do specific exercises to develop a baby's neck muscles, since they will develop naturally on their own. If you want to, though, there are a few things that may help speed up the process and one is: tummy time! Let’s talk about tummy time on the next article for baby’s milestone. Tune in!