when does a baby become a toddler?

SusieBW · July 2012

We were talking about this the other day, and I really have no clue where that line is. Is it when they can walk - like when they're "toddling" around? My friend said when they're 2, because that's when sizes changes from # of months to 2T, which also sounds like a valid argument to me. WDYT?

jupiterthecat · July 2012

When they start toddling.

I don't think the size argument holds water. I'm a little unclear on the meaning of the T sizes, but I know they go up to 5T, and no one would call a 5 year old a toddler.

shelley1002 · July 2012

EmpireMomof3:

Aftrer 1 and walking IMO. They're infant until 1.

This.

T&HLove · July 2012

shelley1002:
EmpireMomof3:

Aftrer 1 and walking IMO. They're infant until 1.

This.

Yep! G is walking, but I wouldn't call her a toddler yet.

SusieBW · July 2012

I tend to agree with the walking part more than sizes or certain ages.

However, I disagree with calling babies "infant" until they're one. To me, "infant" is restricted to the first couple of months, when they don't really have the motor skills or thought processes to know or do what they want.

Once they start to develop a personality, then they're a baby until they're walking around and getting into stuff, then they're a toddler.

MsCrispy · July 2012

I agree with pp. They are infants until 1. Then I'd say toddler from 1-3. Not sure what is the technical definition, but those are the ages I think of.

Pips09 · July 2012

After a year old, and walking, or trying to walk. I don't think it has anything to do with clothing size.

babyAutumn · July 2012

I considered my LOs to be toddlers when they turned one and were walking. A two year old is also a toddler but closer to 3, I would consider him/her a preschooler.

AmandaPaige6410 · July 2012

T&HLove:
shelley1002:
EmpireMomof3:

Aftrer 1 and walking IMO. They're infant until 1.

This.
Yep! G is walking, but I wouldn't call her a toddler yet.

Same

solsburyhill · July 2012

Hmm, I stopped calling A an infant since about 6 months. Now I just call him a baby. But what's the difference really?

Last night I called A a toddler and was like, wait, no, he's not a toddler! He has to actually toddle before he's a toddler!

I'm thinking definitely after 1.

jupiterthecat · July 2012

re: baby vs. infant: Wikipedia will solve this for us:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infant "An infant (from the Latin word infans, meaning "unable to speak" or "speechless") is the very young offspring of a human or other mammal. When applied to humans, the term is usually considered synonymous with baby, but the latter is commonly applied to the young of any animal. When a human child learns to walk, the term toddler may be used instead.The term infant is typically applied to young children between the ages of 1 month and 12 months; however, definitions may vary between birth and 3 years of age. A newborn is an infant who is only hours, days, or up to a few weeks old. In medical contexts, newborn or neonate (from Latin, neonatus, newborn) refers to an infant in the first 28 days after birth;^[1] the term applies to prematureinfants, postmature infants, and full term infants. Before birth, the term fetus is used.

Infant is also a legal term referring to any child under the age of legal adulthood.^[2"

Bottom line: our kids are still infants. Colloquially, people might be more likely to use infant to refer to a younger baby, but technically, there is no "progression" from infant to baby-- they are more or less synonyms, with infant reflecting a more clinical tone.

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when does a baby become a toddler?

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