What age range does the term "infant" refer to?

Jun 26, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My child is now over one year old. I'm not sure whether he/she is still considered an infant or already a toddler. Could you please tell me what age range is defined as toddlerhood?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
The toddler period typically refers to the stage when children gradually transition from infancy, shortly after birth, to the preschool age. Specifically, most definitions consider toddlers to be children between 1 and 6 years of age. During this stage, a child's physical, emotional, cognitive, and social abilities develop rapidly. They begin to walk independently, explore their surroundings, and learn basic life skills such as dressing and personal hygiene. At the same time, their language abilities improve significantly, enabling them to gradually understand and use complex sentences for communication. Additionally, the toddler years are a critical period for the development of emotional and social skills, as children start forming relationships with others and learning social skills such as sharing and cooperation.