INFANCY
What is Infancy? • Infancy in humans is the
period of life from birth to the
acquisition of language,
typically one to two years later .
Newborns weigh an average of
7.5 pounds and are about 20
inches long, gaining about 6 to
7 ounces per week for the first
three months .
• Newborns sleep around 16–18 hours a day, decreasing to
9–12 hours by age two . Infants have reflexes like sucking,
blinking, and grasping . Vision improves from 20/800 at
two weeks to 20/20 at five years . They prefer human faces
and can recognize their mother by sight at three months .
Human milk is ideal, but formula is an adequate substitute.
Babies can be weaned around six months, with teeth
appearing to allow coarser foods by the end of the first
year
• Infants progress through motor development
spontaneously, reaching for objects by four months and
grasping small items by ten months. Most crawl between 7
and 10 months and stand alone by 12 months . By two
months, infants show a social smile, and by six months,
they respond socially to caregivers . Crying is a major form
of communication, progressing from cooing to babbling
and meaningful speech . By 11 to 12 months, they produce
utterances like "mama" or "dada" .
At what age range does infancy occur?
• Infancy is the period of life between birth and the acquisition
of language, approximately one to two years later . The average
newborn infant weighs 3.4 kg (7.5 pounds) and is about 51 cm
(20 inches) long, gaining weight at an average of 170 to 200 g (6
to 7 ounces) per week for the first three months . Newborns
typically sleep for about 16–18 hours a day, which gradually
decreases to about 9–12 hours a day by age two .
By 11 to 12 months of age, they are producing clear
consonant-vowel utterances such as “mama” or
“dada” . The expansion of vocabulary and the
acquisition of grammar and syntax mark the end of
infancy and the beginning of child development .
What are some physical milestones
during infancy?
• During infancy, which is the period of
life between birth and roughly two years, a
baby undergoes several physical
milestones. Newborns possess reflexes
such as sucking, grasping, and limb
withdrawal . Within the first few months,
they start to gain weight, averaging about
142 to 170 grams (5 to 6 ounces) a week.
Between 4 and 10 months, significant motor
development occurs, including reaching for objects,
sitting up unaided, and crawling . By the end of the
first year, many infants can stand alone and may even
take their first steps . Simultaneously, they develop
the ability to pick up small objects and manipulate
utensils . These milestones reflect the rapid physical
growth and development that characterize infancy .
How do infants communicate their needs?
• Infants primarily communicate their needs through crying
and fussing . Research indicates that babies respond
positively to "baby talk," which is crucial for language
development . They react to touch, turn towards voices
(especially their mother's), and seek the breast or bottle
Infants are comforted by being held close to the heart and
swaddled firmly in blankets . Shushing sounds can also
soothe a distressed infant, as they mimic noises heard in the
womb . As they grow, infants begin to vocalize simple
sounds and say words like “dada,” “mama,” and “bye-bye,”
further expressing their needs and desires .
How do infants develop motor skills?
• Infants develop motor skills through a series of stages,
starting with reflexes and progressing to coordinated
movements . Initially, newborns exhibit reflexes like
sucking and grasping . As they grow, these reflexes
integrate into intentional actions .
Between 4 and 8 months, vision improves, and infants
start to repeat actions that produce interesting effects .
They learn to coordinate actions to achieve goals, solve
simple problems, and experiment with new actions . By
the end of the first year, many babies take their first steps
and can manipulate objects . This progression involves
learning through imitation and responding to stimuli,
which are vital for healthy development .
THANK YOU !