Definition is Infancy: Psychology

Definition is Infancy

in·fan·cy (nfn-s)

n. pl. in·fan·cies

Infant: A child up to 2 years (24 months) of age.

The word "infant" came from the Latin infans which was derived from in-, not + Fari, to speak = not to speak, speechless. The idea was that, since the ability to speak was thought to arrive at the age of two, younger children were infants

infant [in´fant]

a human child from birth (see newborn infant) to the end of the first year of life. Emotional and physical needs at this time include love and security, a sense of trust, warmth and comfort, feeding, and sucking pleasure.

Growth and Development. Development is a continuous process, and each child progresses at his own rate. There is a developmental sequence, which means that the changes leading to maturity are specific and orderly. The various types of growth and development and the accompanying changes in appearance and behavior are interrelated; that is, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual developments affect one another in the progress toward maturity.

Development of muscular control proceeds from the head downward (cephalocaudal development). The infant controls the head first and gradually acquires the ability to control the neck, then the arms, and finally the legs and feet. Movements are general and random at first, beginning with use of the larger muscles and progressing to specific smaller muscles, such as those needed to handle small objects. Factors that influence growth and development are hereditary traits, sex, environment, nationality and race, and physical makeup. See also growth.

large-for-gestational-age infant a preterm, term, or postterm infant who is above the 90th percentile for gestational age in head circumference, body weight, or length.

low-birth-weight infant one that weighs less than 2500 grams at birth. This standard is routinely used for infants in developed countries, but infants born in other countries typically weigh less at birth. In India the criterion for normal birth weight is 2150 grams and in Malaysia it is 2000 grams.

newborn infant a human infant from the time of birth through the 28th day of life. At birth, the gestational age as well as birth weight is assessed and the newborn classified accordingly; for example, large for gestational age, preterm (premature), or low birth weight. Called also neonate and newborn.

premature infant (preterm infant) one born before a gestational age of 37 completed weeks (259 days). The duration of gestation is measured from the first day of the last menstrual period and is expressed in completed days or weeks.

postmature infant (postterm infant) one born any time after the beginning of the forty-second week (288 days) of gestation.

small-for-gestational-age infant a preterm, term, or postterm infant who is below the 10th percentile for gestational age in head circumference, body weight, or length.

term infant one born at a gestational age of 37 to 42 completed weeks (259 to 293 completed days).

very-low-birth-weight infant one that weighs less than 1000 grams at birth.

1. The earliest period of childhood, especially before the ability to walk has been acquired.

2. The state of being an infant.

3. An early stage of existence

4. Law The state or period of being a minor

Noun 1. infancy - the early stage of growth or development
babyhood, early childhood

time of life - a period of time during which a person is normally in a particular life state

oral phase, oral stage - (psychoanalysis) the first sexual and social stage of an infant's development; the mouth is the focus of the libido and satisfaction comes from suckling and chewing and biting

2. infancy - the earliest state of immaturity
babyhood

immatureness, immaturity - not having reached maturity

infant /in·fant/ (in´fint) the human young from the time of birth to one year of age.

immature infant one usually weighing less than 2500 grams at birth and not physiologically well developed.

low birth weight (LBW) infant one weighing less than 2500 g at birth.

mature infant one weighing 2500 g or more at birth, usually at or near full term, physiologically fully developed, and having optimal chance of survival.

moderately low birth weight (MLBW) infant one weighing at least 1500 but less than 2500 g at birth.

newborn infant the human young during the first four weeks after birth.

postmature infant

1. one with postmaturity syndrome.

2. postterm i.

postterm infant one born at or after the forty-second completed week (294 days) of
gestation.

premature infant

1. one usually born after the twentieth completed week and before full term, defined as weighing 500 to 2499 g at birth; the chance of survival depends on the weight. In countries where adults are smaller than in the United States, the upper limit may be lower.

2. preterm i.

preterm infant one born before the thirty-seventh completed week (259 days) of gestation.

term infant one born in the interval from the thirty-seventh completed week to the forty-second completed week of gestation; 259 days to 293 days, inclusive.

very low birth weight (VLBW) infant one weighing less than 1500 g at birth.