What is the Difference Between Babies and Infants?

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The terms "babies" and "infants" are often used interchangeably to refer to young children, but there are some differences in their usage:

  • Newborn: This term typically refers to a baby from birth to about 2 months of age. Some experts also use "newborn" for babies up to 3 months of age.
  • Infant: The term "infant" is generally used to describe a child from birth to around 1 year of age. However, some sources define an infant as a child between 3 and 12 months of age.
  • Baby: The term "baby" can be used to describe any child below the age of 4 years, but it is often used for children under 1 year old.

In summary, while "babies" and "infants" are often synonymous, "newborn" is a more specific term that refers to very young babies, usually within the first 1-3 months of life.

Comparative Table: Babies vs Infants

The terms "babies" and "infants" are often used interchangeably, but they can refer to different age ranges. Here is a table highlighting the differences between babies and infants:

Term Age Range Description
Newborn Birth to 2 months A newborn refers to a baby from birth to about 2 months of age.
Infant Birth to 1 year Infants can be considered children anywhere from birth to 1 year old.
Infant 0 to 18 months Infants can also be defined as any child between the ages of 0 and 18 months.

There is some overlap in the age ranges, but the main difference between babies and infants is that babies are typically considered to be from birth to 2 months of age, while infants can be up to 1 year old or even 18 months old, depending on the source. Both babies and infants go through significant developmental changes, including learning to roll over, crawl, walk, and smile, as well as beginning to talk.