There comes a time in every family’s life when a child moves from newborn to infant. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they represent different stages of a child’s development. Newborn vs. infant – understanding these differences is key to providing appropriate care and support at each stage. In this article, we will look at the differences between a newborn and an infant, what their needs are, and how to best support a child’s development at each stage.
Definitions: Newborn vs Infant
Baby
A newborn is a child from the moment of birth until the first 28 days of life. This is an extremely important period in which the child goes through numerous adaptive changes after leaving the mother's womb.
Baby
An infant is a child from the end of the first month of life to the end of the first year. During this time, the child develops intensively both physically and emotionally, learning new skills and establishing bonds with the environment.
Differences Between a Newborn and an Infant
1. Age
- Newborn: From birth to 28 days of age.
- Infant: From 29 days of age to one year of age.
2. Physical Development
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Baby:
- Nervous system: Already developed, but still very delicate.
- Motor skills: Innate reflexes such as sucking, grasping, or the Moro reflex.
- Growth rate: In the first weeks there is a rapid increase in weight and height.
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Baby:
- Nervous system: Develops rapidly, enabling the learning of new skills.
- Motor skills: Control over body movements develops, the child begins to crawl and take its first steps.
- Growth rate: Growth is still dynamic, but not as rapid as in the neonatal period.
3. Mental and Emotional Development
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Baby:
- Perception: Focuses primarily on sensory stimuli such as sounds, light, and touch.
- Emotions: Reacts to parents' basic emotions, such as hunger, tiredness, or need for closeness.
-
Baby:
- Perception: Develops the ability to recognize faces, listen to conversations and respond to sounds.
- Emotions: Begins to form emotional bonds, expressing joy, sadness, fear and anger more consciously.
4. Feeding
-
Baby:
- Feeding: Frequent breastfeeding or bottle feeding, approximately 8-12 times a day.
- Diet: Breast milk or infant formula.
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Baby:
- Feeding: Gradually introduce solid foods, but breast milk or formula continues to be the basis of the diet.
- Diet: Adding pureed vegetables, fruits, cereals and other soft foods.
5. Sleep
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Baby:
- Sleep time: Up to 18-20 hours a day, with short periods of wakefulness.
- Sleep patterns: Unstable, with no clear circadian rhythm.
-
Baby:
- Sleep duration: Approximately 14-16 hours per day, with more distinct periods of day and night.
- Sleep Patterns: Gradually establish regular bedtimes.
How to Care for a Newborn and Infant?
Newborn Care
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Home Safety:
- Providing a safe place to sleep.
- Avoiding overheating your baby.
-
Hygiene:
- Change diapers regularly.
- Gentle baths, adapted to sensitive skin.
-
Feeding:
- Feed frequently to meet your baby's growing needs.
- Monitoring the amount of weight you gain.
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Health check:
- Regular visits to the pediatrician.
- Monitoring for signs of infection and other health problems.
Baby Care
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Development stimulation:
- Sensory play such as touch, sounds, colors.
- Reading books and talking to your child.
-
Feeding:
- Gradual introduction of solid foods.
- Maintaining a feeding routine.
-
Security:
- Protection of furniture and sharp edges.
- Using appropriate car seats.
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Health and hygiene:
- Regular bathing and hygiene.
- Monitoring physical and emotional development.
Summary
Newborn vs. infant – these two stages of a child’s life differ in many ways, from age, through physical and mental development, to feeding and sleep needs. Understanding these differences allows parents to better adapt care to the child’s current needs, supporting their healthy and harmonious development. Remember that each child is unique, and support and love are key at every stage of their first months of life.
