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:
- “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.”
- “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.“
- “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.
