Toddler vs. Infant

Main Difference

The main difference between Toddler and Infant is that the Toddler is a child 12 to 36 months old and Infant is a very young offspring of a human

• Toddler

  A toddler is a child 12 to 36 months old. The toddler years are a time of great cognitive, emotional and social development. The word is derived from “to toddle”, which means to walk unsteadily, like a child of this age.

• Infant

  An infant (from the Latin word infans, meaning “unable to speak” or “speechless”) is the more formal or specialised synonym for “baby”, the very young offspring of a human. The term may also be used to refer to juveniles of other organisms.

  A newborn is, in colloquial use, an infant who is only hours, days, or up to one month old. In medical contexts, newborn or neonate (from Latin, neonatus, newborn) refers to an infant in the first 28 days after birth; the term applies to premature, full term, and postmature infants; before birth, the term “fetus” is used. The term “infant” is typically applied to young children under one year of age; however, definitions may vary and may include children up to two years of age. When a human child learns to walk, the term “toddler” may be used instead.

  In British English, an infant school is for children aged between four and seven. As a legal term, “infancy” continues from birth until age 18.