"Infant" and "Baby": A Division of Class

"Infant" is synonymous with "baby", and most often used in reference to a child under the age of two. It's usually used as a descriptor for goods, to denote items specifically made for small children, and is interchangeable with "baby". Infant food, infant bedding, or infant baths are all the same as baby food, baby nursery bedding, and baby baths; the word "infant" tends to be used when a high-class or 'elegant' connotation is desired.

For example, you're more likely to see the word "infant" used on delicate (or delicately designed), expensive goods that are not absolutely essential for your baby, whereas the word "baby" is much more common, used to label virtually every baby need, and not typically used on high-cost items.

The Aesthetic Differences Between "Baby Nursery Bedding" and "Infant Nursery Bedding"

Baby nursery bedding, as a phrase, runs the gamut from cutesy pastel to big, brightly colored patterns. However, you're likely to find that baby nursery bedding is cheaper (both in cost and in production quality) than the similar, but narrower, category of infant bedding.

Infant bedding differs from baby nursery bedding in design and style. Most baby nursery bedding sets described as "infant bedding" will include extraneous details such as dust ruffles, curtain valences, and bumper pads for the cot. While some baby nursery bedding sets include these as well, they're much more common among items described as "infant bedding", because these frivolous details come with the connotation of high-class living.

Infant Goods versus Baby Goods

Likewise, every product intended for a small child - from groceries to clothing - shares this separation of class. Infant baby food jars are wordily written, designed with a nostalgic appeal, and may be higher priced, despite any actual difference in quality or production. Baby food jars are straightforward, modern, and modestly priced, in general. There is a similar appearance between "organic" baby products and "infant" products.

The one area where this difference may actually have impact is that of textiles and fabrics. Baby nursery bedding, while colorful and decorated with up-to-the-minute popular children's stars, may be mass-produced under lower quality standards than the more expensive, less "branded", variant of infant nursery bedding. The same goes for clothing; if a company manufactures sub-standard baby nursery bedding, they can be expected to also produce low-quality baby clothes. Similar to the difference between baby nursery bedding and infant bedding, clothes labeled as "infant clothes" often display more detail and less practicality than those described as "baby clothes".

Wherever you see the word "infant" on baby goods, you should use your judgement to determine whether or not the product is actually of higher calibre than a similar product without the fancy language. "Infant" is also the most commonly used term for small children in medical parlance, so in the case of medical equipment or supplies, use of the word "infant" should not be mistaken for an attempt at falsely elevating the product's quality. You should also compare the manufacturers of two similar products labelled or priced differently; you're likely to find that the cheap "baby shampoo" selling for $3 is manufactured by the same company selling "infant shampoo" for $6 a bottle. The ingredients may even be the same. Whether you're shopping for baby nursery bedding or just some new toys for your little one, be smart, and don't let the use of fancy language trick you into spending more than is necessary.