GC: n

S: WHO – http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs342/en/ (last access: 24 May 2017); UNICEF – https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/infant-and-young-child-feeding/ (last access: 23 December 2024).

N: 1. late 14c., “child during earliest period of life” (sometimes extended to age 7 and sometimes including a fetus), from Latin infantem (nominative infans) “young child, babe in arms,” noun use of adjective meaning “not able to speak,” from in- “not, opposite of” + fans, present participle of fari “speak”. As an adjective, 1580s, from the noun.

2. Perinatal Period: infant.

• A child during the earliest period of its life, especially before he or she can walk.

3. infant and toddler development, the physical, emotional, behavioral, and mental growth of children from ages 0 to 36 months.

Different milestones characterize each stage of infant (0 to 12 months) and toddler (12 to 36 months) development. Although most healthy infants and toddlers reach each milestone within a specific window of time, there is much variation as to how wide that window may be. For example, culture, environment, socioeconomic status, and genetic factors can influence when an infant or toddler will begin to crawl, walk, or talk. Children who suffer from undernutrition, who lack social stimuli, or who lack access to proper health care may develop more slowly than children in more enriched environments. Concerns about infant or toddler development arise when milestones are absent or significantly delayed, since such situations may signal an underlying physical or mental condition. Identifying problems early in development is vital to a child’s health. Although parents are often the first to raise concerns, teachers and child care workers may spot problems that parents have not noticed or have been afraid to acknowledge. They may also be able to identify abused or neglected children who exhibit abnormal development.

4. Baby and “infant” both designate a new-born or very young child who is still in arms. “Baby” is the everyday word, while “infant” tends to sound impersonal or medical.

When the child is able to walk unaided, he is usually considered a “toddler”.

S: 1. Etymonline – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=infant&searchmode=none (last access: 4 September 2014). 2.TERMIUM PLUS (last access: 23 December 2024). 3. EncBrit – https://www.britannica.com/science/infant-and-toddler-development (last access: 23 December 2024). 4. GDT (last access: 23 December 2024).

SYN: baby, suckling, child of tender years. (depending on context)

S: GDT (last access: 23 December 2024)

CR: feeding, human milk, humanized milk.