during infancy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during infancy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the period of time when a baby is very young, typically from birth to early childhood. For example: "During infancy, babies rely on their parents for sustenance and comfort."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Heird WC (1996): Nutritional requirements during infancy.

Nature

To identify determinants of growth during infancy.

The Journal of Pediatrics

Leah's younger sister, Sophie, 10, also rejected meat during infancy.

The New York Times

In humans, lactase is particularly abundant during infancy.

Britannica

These disorders manifest themselves in all cases during infancy.

Nature

Their second son, Tara, died during infancy in 1976.

The Guardian

Their offspring, especially their daughters, are also undernourished during infancy.

The Economist

Smiling during infancy changes its meaning over the first year.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It's totally consistent with what we know about how babies learn during infancy," she added.

The New York Times

Kelly, D. J. et al. The other-race effect develops during infancy evidence of perceptual narrowing.

Nature

Maurer, D. & Werker, J. F. Perceptual narrowing during infancy: a comparison of language and faces.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing developmental milestones or health concerns, use "during infancy" to clearly specify the period from birth to approximately one year of age. This helps to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Be precise with your timeframe. Using terms like "early childhood" when you specifically mean the first year can lead to confusion. "Early childhood" encompasses a broader age range than "during infancy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during infancy" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying verbs or clauses by specifying the time frame in which an action or state occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "during infancy" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that specifies a timeframe within the first year of life. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to provide temporal context in discussions related to child development, health, and behavior. While alternatives like "in early childhood" exist, "during infancy" offers greater precision when focusing specifically on the first year. It is commonly found in scientific, academic, and news contexts. For best practice, use it to specify events or developmental stages occurring from birth to approximately one year of age, and avoid overgeneralization with broader terms. Remember to be precise and specific in your writing, to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the first year of life

Specifically refers to the first 12 months after birth.

during the early months

Highlights the initial months of infancy.

in early childhood

Focuses on the broader period encompassing infancy and the years immediately following.

while still a baby

Emphasizes the individual's state of being a baby.

in babyhood

Uses a less common, more informal term for infancy.

in the first phase of life

Highlights infancy as the first stage in the lifespan.

in the neonatal period

Refers specifically to the first 28 days after birth.

at a young age

Broader term, includes infancy but isn't limited to it.

in one's early years

A more general phrase referring to the beginning of life.

in the initial stages of life

More formal and encompasses even prenatal development.

FAQs

How do I use "during infancy" in a sentence?

Use "during infancy" to specify that something occurs within the period from birth to roughly one year of age. For example, "Brain development is particularly rapid "during infancy"".

What are some alternatives to "during infancy"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use phrases like "in early childhood", "in the first year of life", or "in babyhood". The best choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "during infancy" or "in infancy"?

"During infancy" and "in infancy" are often interchangeable, but "during infancy" is typically preferred for emphasizing a process or change occurring throughout the period. "In infancy" is more general and simply locates something within that timeframe.

What's the difference between "during infancy" and "during early childhood"?

"During infancy" refers specifically to the first year of life, while "during early childhood" encompasses a broader period, typically from birth to around age five or six. Be specific with the time period you want to discuss.