A Parent’s Guide To Newborns, Infants, And Toddlers

Your whole world shifts once you become a parent! Naturally, this journey comes with a lot of questions, especially when it comes to your child’s development. You hear the terms “newborn”, “infant”, and “toddler” all the time, but how are they different?

These are the first life stages of your child, and while they are relatively close to each other, they couldn’t be more different. As a parent, it can get pretty challenging to navigate baby milestones, and you need all the help you can get. That’s exactly what we’ll offer you today.

In this guide, we’ll highlight the key information of these age ranges, so you know what to expect. So, whether you’re wondering what age is a toddler, how to make the newborn phase easier, or the best way to keep up with your toddler, all of your questions are answered right here!

Newborns

Newborn Age Range: 0 to 3 months

Key Developments

Sleep: 16-18 hours a day, usually in short bursts.

Feeding Frequency: Every 2-3 hours; breastfed newborns may require more feeding.

Communication: Crying (you better get used to it!). Newborns cry whenever they’re hungry, sleepy, uncomfortable, or overstimulated.

What To Expect As A Parent

Although the newborn phase is one of the most amazing parts of parenthood, it can definitely get intense. Sleepless nights become more common than ever, you have little to no time for yourself, and you question every single thing you do.

However, all of those feelings fade away as soon as you hold your newborn in your hands. It’s true that things can get pretty stressful, but remember that you’re adjusting to a whole new life. All it takes is to follow your newborn’s patterns and adjust as you go. Remember – there’s no right way of doing it. That’s what makes this phase so unique.

Newborn Tips

• Rely on White Noise – If your baby is having a hard time falling asleep, try playing them white noise as you swaddle them. This will soothe and calm them down, making it easier for them to drift away into dreamland.

• No Need For Routines – You may feel compelled to create a routine from day one, but you might want to save yourself from the trouble. Routines around this age simply don’t work since newborns are so unpredictable. Instead, follow their cues and you’re all set!

• Sleep When The Baby Sleeps – Prioritize rest whenever you can. Even a 20-minute power nap can do wonders!

Infants

Infants Age Range: 2 to 12 months

Key Developments

Motor Skills: Rolling over, Sitting up, Waving, Clapping, Picking up objects, Crawling, Pulling up to stand.

Cognitive Growth: Recognizing familiar faces, Gaining awareness of objects, Responding when their name is called, Enjoying movement, music, and simple games (you can never go wrong with peek-a-boo!).

Communication: Babble, babble, babble – that’s all you’ll get to hear during the infant stage. They also laugh a lot, especially during playtime! Infants also try to say simple words like “mama” or “dada”.

What To Expect As A Parent

This is undoubtedly one of the most exciting times of being a parent! You get to see your baby getting bigger and smarter with each passing day. During infancy, they start sitting up, push themselves up to stand, and even have a go at taking their first steps. They even start remembering faces and developing a sense of trust. Yeah, this time is filled with baby milestones!

However, there is one major challenge parents need to prepare for – separation anxiety. Infants gain awareness on all fronts, including their emotions. Because they don’t know how to regulate them properly yet, they’ll usually have bursts of frustration, anger, and sadness. As a parent, always approach this behavior with a clear head. How you respond to these outbursts can be a major teaching point for the future.

Infant Tips

• Babyproofing is a Must – Babies like to move around a lot during this life stage, and they can reach up and grab hazardous objects. Invest in gates, outlet covers, and corner guards.

• Prioritize Tummy Time – Tummy time is super important for future baby milestones, so practice it as much as possible. It might be uncomfortable for them initially, but once they get used to it, there’s no stopping them!

• Don’t Stop Talking – While your little one is babbling at you, make sure to respond and talk as much as possible. Talking, music, and reading support language development and will get your baby talking in no time.

• Introduce Solid Foods – You can start introducing solid foods to your baby after 6 months. Since they also become aware of their grip, you may even see them eating with their hands. Still, consult with your pediatrician before you do this.

Toddlers

Toddler Age Range: 1-3 years

Key Developments

Physical: Walking, Running, Climbing, Dancing (we all know the ever-famous baby dance!).

Emotional: Toddlers are emotional machines. Their feelings are all over the place, and you need to teach them how to regulate them properly. Also, you better get used to tantrums.

Communication: During the toddler age range, your baby will say simple words and even attempt to form basic sentences. Some of their pronunciation will leave you in tears!

What To Expect As A Parent

In the toddler age, expect to see major milestones – and even bigger tantrums. Babies need a lot of reassurance this time. So, when you notice that they’re really putting in the effort to do something, be sure to give them all the love and encouragement.

Additionally, babies are incredibly strong when they are toddlers. In fact, you’ll be wondering what age is a toddler, given their love for climbing and running! And, since they are growing bigger every day, they can reach even more things, making parenting even more stressful. In this case, just review your babyproofing plan and see if you need to adjust certain areas.

On the other hand, while reassurance is very much encouraged, the toddler age is when the need for independence comes flooding in. For instance, you’ll notice that your child would like to open a box of crackers, but struggles while doing so. If you offer to help them, they’ll throw a tantrum of epic proportions! For that reason, in order to stay zen during the toddler age range, try to find a balance with reassurance and independence. This will be very challenging to do sometimes due to their whirlwind of emotions, but as long as you keep your cool, your baby will most likely follow suit.

Toddler Tips

• Provide Options – Since toddlers love to be in control, you can encourage their independence by letting them choose between two things. This can be for clothes, meals, playtime activities, and anything in between.

• Stick To Routines – Unlike newborns, toddlers thrive on routine. Once you create one, be sure to stick to it as much as possible.

• Label Emotions – In the toddler age, it’s very important for your little one to recognize what they’re feeling. Whenever a new emotion comes around, label it, so they know how to manage it properly

FAQ

What Is The Hardest Week Of A Newborn?

The 6th week is usually the hardest for new parents. Newborns can be really fussy around this time, resulting in lots of crying and sleep deprivation. Luckily, things start turning for the better around weeks 8-12.

What Is The 5-8-5 Rule For Babies?

The "5-8-5 Rule" is a routine-based guideline for balancing a baby's wake windows and sleep cycles. It suggests:

• 5 hours of wake time in the morning,

• 8 hours total wake time during the day,

• 5 hours before bedtime.

What Is The 20-Minute Rule For Babies?

The "20 Minute Rule" refers to giving your baby about 20 minutes to settle themselves before intervening, especially during nap or bedtime. The idea is to avoid rushing in at the first cry, as babies often cry briefly before falling asleep. In turn, this encourages sleep independence.

With this, you are now ready to jump into your parenting journey. No more wondering what age is a toddler or what to expect when having a newborn! Remember – this experience is different for each baby, so keep up with your own pace. Don’t strive for perfection, but rather consistency and presence.

Looking for more inspiration, helpful tips, and creative ideas to support your family life? Visit our blog for practical, uplifting content made for real parents like you. Let’s make each day a little easier—and a lot more joyful—together.