Infant
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[[Image:Tibetan Baby.jpg|thumb|300px|A 1905 painting by [[Arnold Henry Savage Landor|AHS Landor]] of a [[Tibetan people|Tibetan]] infant.]]
In basic English usage, an '''infant''' is defined as a human child at the youngest stage of life, specifically before they can walk and generally before the age of one<ref name="dictionary">{{cite web | publisher = dictionary.com | title = Results for "infant" | url = http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/infant | accessldfwm;ljfdate = 2007-03-27}}</ref> (see also [[child]] and [[adolescent]]).
The term "infant" derives from the [[Latin]] word ''in-fans'', meaning "unable to speak." There is no exact definition for infancy. "Infant" is also a legal term with the meaning of '''[[minor (law)|minor]]''';<ref name="mwi">{{cite web | title = "Infant" | work = Merriam-Webster online dictionary | publisher = [[Merriam-Webster]] | url = http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=infant | accessdate = 2007-03-27}}</ref> that is, any child under the age of legal adulthood.
A human infant less than a month old is a '''newborn infant''' or a '''neonate'''.<ref name="mwn">{{cite web | title = "Neonate" | work = Merriam-Webster online dictionary | publisher = [[Merriam-Webster]] | url = http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=neonate | accessdate = 2007-03-27}}</ref> The term "newborn" includes [[Premature birth|premature]] infants, postmature infants and [[full term]] newborns.
Upon reaching the age of one or beginning to walk, infants are subsequently referred to as '''"[[toddler]]s"''' (generally 12-36 months). [[Daycare]]s with an "infant room" often call all children in it "infants" even if they are older than a year and/or walking; they sometimes use the term "walking infant".
==The newborn ==
=== Appearance===
[[Image:HumanNewborn.JPG|thumb|Newborn infant, just seconds after delivery.]]
A newborn's shoulders and hips are narrow, the abdomen protrudes slightly, and the arms and legs are relatively short. The average [[birth weight]] of a full-term newborn is approximately 7 ½ lbs.(3.2 kg), but is typically in the range of 5.5–10 pounds (2.7–4.6 kg). The average total body length is 14–20 inches (35.6–50.8 cm), although premature newborns may be much smaller. The [[Apgar score]] is a measure of a newborn's transition from the [[uterus]] during the first minutes of life.
A newborn's head is very large in proportion to the rest of the body, and the [[cranium]] is enormous relative to his or her face. While the adult human skull is about 1/8 of the total body length, the newborn's is about 1/4. At birth, many regions of the newborn's skull have not yet been converted to bone, leaving "soft spots" known as [[fontanel]]s. The two largest are the diamond-shaped anterior fontanel, located at the top front portion of the head, and the smaller triangular-shaped posterior fontanel, which lies at the back of the head. Later in the child's life, these bones will fuse together in a natural process. A protein called [[Noggin (protein)|noggin]] is responsible for the delay in an infant's skull fusion.<ref>{{cite journal | author=Warren SM | coauthors= Brunet LJ, Harland RM, Economides AN, Longaker MT | title=The BMP antagonist noggin regulates cranial suture fusion | journal=Nature | volume=422 | issue=6932 | pages=625–9 | date=2003-04-10 | pmid=12687003 | doi = 10.1038/nature01545}}</ref>
During [[childbirth|labour]] and birth, the infant's skull changes shape to fit through the [[birth canal]], sometimes causing the child to be born with a misshapen or elongated head. It will usually return to normal on its own within a few days or weeks. Special exercises sometimes advised by [[physician]]s may assist the process.
Some newborns have a fine, downy body hair called [[lanugo]]. It may be particularly noticeable on the back, shoulders, forehead, ears and face of premature infants. Lanugo disappears within a few weeks. Infants may be born with full heads of hair; others, particularly [[Caucasian]] infants, may have very fine hair or may even be bald. Amongst fair-skinned parents, this fine hair may be blond, even if the parents are not. The [[scalp]] may also be temporarily [[bruise]]d or swollen, especially in hairless newborns, and the area around the eyes may be puffy.
Immediately after birth, a newborn's skin is often grayish to dusky blue in color. As soon as the newborn begins to breathe, usually within a minute or two, the skin's color returns to its normal tone. Newborns are wet, covered in streaks of blood, and coated with a white substance known as [[vernix caseosa]], which is hypothesised to act as an [[antibacterial]] barrier. The newborn may also have [[Mongolian spot]]s, various other [[birthmarks]], or peeling skin, particularly on the wrists, hands, ankles, and feet.
A newborn's [[genitals]] are enlarged and reddened, with male infants having an unusually large scrotum. The breasts may also be enlarged, even in male infants. This is caused by naturally-occurring maternal hormones and is a temporary condition. Females (and even males) may actually discharge milk from their nipples (sometimes called [[witch's milk]]), and/or a bloody or milky-like substance from the vagina. In either case, this is considered normal and will disappear in time.
The [[umbilical cord]] of a newborn is bluish-white in color. After birth, the umbilical cord is normally cut, leaving a 1–2 inch stub. The umbilical stub will dry out, shrivel, darken, and spontaneously fall off within about 3 weeks. Occasionally, [[hospital]]s may apply triple dye to the umbilical stub to prevent [[infection]], which may temporarily color the stub and surrounding skin purple.
Newborns lose many of the above physical characteristics quickly. Thus prototypical older babies look very different. While older babies are considered "cute", newborns can be "unattractive" by the same criteria and first time parents may need to be educated in this regard.
===The newborn's senses===
[[Image:Infant looking at shiny object.jpg|thumb|upright|As an infant's vision develops, he or she may seem preoccupied with watching surrounding objects and people.]]
Newborns can feel all different sensations, but respond most enthusiastically to soft stroking, cuddling and caressing. Gentle rocking back and forth often calms a crying infant, as do massages and warm baths. Newborns may comfort themselves by sucking their thumb, or a [[pacifier]]. The need to suckle is instinctive (see [[Suction#Suction in biology|suction in biology]]) and allows newborns to feed.
Newborn infants have unremarkable vision, being able to focus on objects only about 18 inches (45 cm) directly in front of their face. While this may not be much, it is all that is needed for the infant to look at the mother’s eyes or [[areola]] when [[breastfeeding]]. [[Depth perception]] does not develop until the infant is mobile. Generally, a newborn cries when wanting to feed. When a newborn is not sleeping, or feeding, or crying, he or she may spend a lot of time staring at random objects. Usually anything that is shiny, has sharp contrasting colors, or has complex patterns will catch an infant's eye. However, the newborn has a preference for looking at other human faces above all else. (''see also: [[infant metaphysics]] and [[infant vision]]'')
While still inside the mother, the infant could hear many internal noises, such as the mother's [[heartbeat]], as well as many external noises including human voices, music and most other sounds. Therefore, although a newborn's ears may have some [[catarrh]] and fluid, he or she can hear sound from before birth. Newborns usually respond to a female voice over a male voice. This may explain why people will unknowingly raise the pitch of their voice when talking to newborns (this voice change is called '''motherese'''). The sound of other human voices, especially the mother's, can have a calming or soothing effect on the newborn. Conversely, loud or sudden noises will startle and scare a newborn. Newborns have been shown to prefer sounds that were a regular feature of their prenatal environment, for example, the theme tune of a television programme that their mother watched regularly.
Newborns can respond to different tastes, including sweet, sour, bitter, and salty substances, with a preference toward sweets. It has been shown that neonates show a preference for the smell of foods that their mother ate regularly.
A newborn has a developed sense of smell at birth, and within the first week of life can already distinguish the differences between the mother's own [[breast milk]] and the breast milk of another female.{{Fact|date=October 2007}}
==Infant mortality==
{{main|Infant mortality}}
[[Image:Baby holding feet.jpg|thumb|An infant]]
Infant mortality is the death of an infant in the first year of life. Infant mortality can be subdivided into neonatal death, referring to deaths in the first 27 days of life, and post-neonatal death, referring to deaths after 28 days of life. Major causes of infant mortality include [[dehydration]], [[infection]], congenital malformation, and [[Sudden infant death syndrome|SIDS]].<ref>{{cite book
| last = Garrett
| first = Eilidh
| authorlink =
| title = Infant Mortality: A Continuing Social Problem
| publisher = Ashgate Pub Co
| series =
| year = 2007
| doi =
| isbn = 0754645932 }}</ref>
This [[epidemiology|epidemiological]] indicator is recognized as a very important measure of the level of health care in a country because it is directly linked with the [[health]] status of infants, children, and pregnant women as well as access to medical care, socioeconomic conditions, and [[public health]] practices.<ref>{{cite journal
| quotes =
| last = Hertz,
| first = E
| authorlink =
| coauthors = Hebert JR, Landon J.
| date =
| year = 1994
| month = July
| title = Social and environmental factors and life expectancy, infant mortality, and maternal mortality rates: results of a cross-national comparison.
| journal = Soc Sci Med.
| volume = 39
| issue = 1
| pages = 105–14
| publisher =
| location =
| issn =
| pmid = 8066481
| doi =
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| language = English
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| accessdate = 2007-10-11
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<ref>{{cite journal
| quotes =
| last =
| first =
| authorlink =
| coauthors = Etchegoyen G, Paganini JM; Consorcio Interdisciplinario Multicéntrico Para Estudio de la Inequidad en Salud.
| date =
| year = 2007
| month = April
| title = The relationship between socioeconomic factors and maternal and infant health programs in 13 Argentine provinces
| journal = Rev Panam Salud Publica
| volume = 21
| issue = 4
| pages = 223–30
| publisher =
| location =
| issn =
| pmid = 17612466
| doi =
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| language = Spanish
| format =
| accessdate = 2007-10-11
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}}</ref>
==Care and feeding==
{{Main|Childcare}}
[[Image:Breastfeeding01.jpg|thumb|A newborn breastfeeding.|left]]
[[Image:Babywithbottle.jpg|thumb|An infant feeding from bottle shortly after birth.]]
Infants cry as a form of basic instinctive communication. A crying infant may be trying to express a variety of feelings including hunger, discomfort, overstimulation, boredom or loneliness. Many caregivers employ the use of [[baby monitor]]s or [[babycam]]s which enable them to hear or see an infant's cries from another room.
Feeding is typically done by [[breastfeeding]], which is the recommended method of feeding by all major infant health organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics.<ref name="AAP_Policy">{{cite journal | title=Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk | author=Gartner LM | coauthors=Morton J, Lawrence RA, Naylor AJ, O'Hare D, Schanler RJ, Eidelman AI, etal | journal=Pediatrics | volume = 115 | issue=2 | date=February 2005 | pages=496–506 | doi=10.1542/peds.2004-2491 | pmid=15687461}}</ref> However, if breastfeeding is not possible or desired, bottle feeding may be done with expressed breast-milk or with [[infant formula]]. Infants have a sucking instinct allowing them to extract the milk from the [[nipples]] of the breasts or the nipple of the [[baby bottle]], as well as an instinctive behavior known as '''rooting''' with which they seek out the nipple. Sometimes a [[wet nurse]] is hired to feed the infant, although this is rare, especially in developed countries.
As infants age, and their appetites grow, many parents choose from a variety of commercial, ready-made [[baby food]]s to supplement breast milk or formula for the child, while others adapt their usual meals for the dietary needs of their child.
Infants are [[incontinent]], therefore [[diaper]]s are generally used in industrialized countries, while methods similar to [[elimination communication]]<ref name="elim">{{cite web | title = Elimination Communication | publisher = [[Yahoo! Groups]] | url = http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eliminationcommunication/ | accessdate = 2007-03-27}}</ref> are common in third world countries.{{Fact|date=September 2007}} Practitioners of these techniques assert that babies can control their bodily functions at the age of six months and that they are aware when they are urinating at an even earlier age. Babies can learn to signal to the parents when it is time to urinate or defecate by turning or making noises. Parents have to pay attention to the baby's actions so they can learn the signals.
Children need a relatively larger amount of sleep to function correctly (up to 18 hours for [[newborn]] babies, with a declining rate as the child ages).
[[Image:Babyimmunization.jpg|thumb|A mother holds her baby while it is immunized.]]
[[Image:Infant playing with toys.jpg|thumb|An infant playing with his toys.]]
Babies cannot walk, although more mature infants may crawl or scoot; baby transport may be by [[Baby transport|perambulator]] (stroller or buggy), on the back or in front of an adult in a [[babywearing|special carrier]], cloth or [[cradle board]], or simply by being carried in the arms. Most industrialized countries have laws requiring infants to be placed in special [[child safety seat]]s when in motor vehicles.
Infants' social presence is different from that of adults, and they may be the focus of attention. Fees for transportation and entrance fees at locations such as amusement parks or museums are often waived. This special attention will wear out as the child grows older.
Common care issues for infants:
* [[Baby colic]] and/or gas.
* [[Childhood development]].
* [[Hygiene]]:
** [[Bathing]] or [[shower]]ing.
** [[Umbilical cord]] and [[navel]].
* [[Day care]].
* [[Diaper rash]].
* Feeding: [[Breastfeeding]] or [[Infant formula]] ([[Baby bottle]]).
* [[Immunization]].
* [[Paternal bond]].
* [[Pacifier]] use.
* [[Sleep]]: [[bassinet]] and [[infant bed]].
* [[Teething]].
* [[Epilepsy]]
==Attachment==
[[Image:Gambia - mom baby2.jpg|thumb|[[Gambia]]n mother with infant]]
{{main article | Attachment theory|Attachment in children| Attachment disorder}}
Attachment theory is primarily an [[Adaptation|evolutionary]] and [[Ethology|ethological]] theory whereby the infant or child ''seeks proximity'' to a ''specified attachment figure'' in situations of alarm or distress, for the purpose of survival. The forming of attachments is considered to be the foundation of the infant/childs's capacity to form and conduct relationships throughout life. Attachment is not the same as love and/or affection although they often go together. Attachment and attachment [[behavior]]s tend to develop between the age of 6 months and 3 years. [[Infant]]s become [[Attachment in children|attached]] to adults who are sensitive and responsive in [[social interaction]]s with the infant, and who remain as consistent caregivers for some time. Parental responses lead to the development of patterns of attachment which in turn lead to 'internal working models' which will guide the individuals feelings thoughts and expectations in later relationships.<ref name="Bretherton"> Bretherton,I. and Munholland,K., A. Internal Working Models in Attachment Relationships: A Construct Revisited. ''Handbook of Attachment:Theory, Research and Clinical Applications'' 1999eds Cassidy,J. and Shaver, P., R. Guilford press ISBN 1-57230-087-6 </ref> There are a number of [[Attachment in children| attachment 'styles']] namely 'secure', 'anxious-ambivalent', 'anxious-avoidant', (all 'organized') and 'disorganized', some of which are more problematical than others. A lack of attachment or a seriously disrupted capacity for attachment could potentially amount to serious disorders.
==Bibliography==
{{Sourcesstart}}
*{{ cite book
| last = Simkin
| first = Penny
| coauthors = ''et al.''
| title = Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn: The Complete Guide
| publisher = Meadowbook Press
| address = MN
| year = 1992 (late 1991)
| id = ISBN 0-88166-177-5}}
{{Sourcesend}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==See also==
[[Image:Neonatal Jacoplane.jpg|thumb|An infant in a [[Neonatal Intensive Care Unit|neonatal intensive care unit]]]]
{|
|- valign=top
| width=250 align=left |
* [[Attachment in children]]
* [[Babysitting]]
* [[Child development]] and [[child development stages]]
* [[Cord blood]] and [[cord blood bank]]ing
* [[Elimination communication]]
* [[Infanticide]]
* [[Infant vision]]
| width=250 align=left |
* [[Jaundice]]
* [[Maternal health]]
* [[Maternal bond]]
* [[Parental leave]]
* [[Paternal bond]]
* [[Pediatrics]]
* [[Pregnancy]]
* [[Safe haven law]]
|}
== External links ==
{{Wikibooks|Baby care and evolution}}
{{commonscat|Babies}}
{{Wiktionarypar|infant}}
* [http://www.discoveryhealth.com/centers/infant-toddler/interactive/parentinggames/parentinggames.html Discovery Health's Parenting Games]
* [http://www.discoveryhealth.com/centers/infant-toddler/index.html Discovery Health's Infant & Toddler Center]
* [http://www.aap.org/ American Academy of Pediatrics]
* [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2091.html CIA FactBook] with infant mortality rates in different countries and other health indicators
* [http://www.who.int/whr/2005/en/ The World Health Report 2005 – Make Every Mother and Child]
* [http://www.uic.edu/com/eye/LearningAboutVision/EyeFacts/BabyEyes.shtml Your Baby's Eyes].
*[http://www.gmanews.tv/video/16975/Baby-born-without-skull GMA NEWS.TV, video, (Filipino language) Baby born without skull - 01/19/2008]
*[http://www.teething-babies.co.uk Teething-babies -Advice site for parents to help their teething baby ]
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[[Category:Infancy]]
[[Category:Childhood]]
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