Age: When to Switch From Months to Years?

March 4, 2008

We track our babes from day to day and then by weeks, months and years. But, when is it the best time to just rely on years to refer to a child's age? Since developmental milestones vary so much during the first stage of life, some parents continue to count by months.

This can prove a bit of a mathematical pain for people who enter conversations with them. And, beyond needing a conversion table, 37-months-old sounds a bit ridiculous.

What's your take on the numbers?

Source

Poll Age

26 Comments

Martini Rossi 5 years 10 weeks

after 1 years old. This really bothers me, I dont want to stand there and calculate your childs age. I remember watching the Tyra show and Solange (Beyonces sister) was on with her son, Tyra asked her his age and she said some "35 months". HUH? why could she say "almost three" or even three? Who has the time to keep track of that info after the age of 2 anyway? lol

Martini Rossi 5 years 10 weeks

milosmommy 5 years 10 weeks

I think after 18mos it just sounds silly and kinda prententious. But that's just me. I just received a book from a friend the other day "Your Baby's First Year Week by Week". I seriously needed to pull out the calendar and count the weeks. After 8wks I stopped counting and went by months.

jennifer76 5 years 10 weeks

I stopped after a year. It's a lot easier to say (and understand) "a little over a year and a half" than mentally calculate and say "20 months", etc... Like SPM said, you can always go with she'll be 2 in April, etc...

chicchick 5 years 10 weeks

After 1 year you need to drop the month crap!! Next month I'll be able to say that my baby is a 1 year old :o)

khrystena 5 years 10 weeks

I am never remembering how many months my daughter is. i say 2 first then i usually do a quick calculation so i am ready if someone asks how much older than 2! But really nothing like saying your 18 month old is 1, cause the difference is so amazing. I do remember counting closer at that age. but after 18 months i stopped

khrystena 5 years 10 weeks

stina829 5 years 10 weeks

I think around 18 months to 2 years. My son is 4 months old... My doc still talks to me in weeks though and it confuses the crap out of me!

sweetnshy5282 5 years 10 weeks

my daughter is 18 months I refer to her either as that or as a year and a half depending on who I am talking to. and my son is four and I would never refer to his age in months. I stopped w/ him around 18 months to 2 years. it is just weird to say 36 months when it is easier to say and understand 3 years old.

POPSUGAR Moms 5 years 10 weeks

I agree with the 18 months to two year mark. Babysugar and I figured our ages out in months the other day.

Kazagirl 5 years 10 weeks

After 24 months then it becomes a bit ridiculous.

JennyJen 5 years 10 weeks

I think 2 is a good time to switch over to years. My baby will be 18 months old very soon :( I hat eto think that she is getting old enough to not be considered months old!

JennyJen 5 years 10 weeks

I think 2 is a good time to switch over to years. My baby will be 18 months old very soon :( I hat eto think that she is getting old enough to not be considered months old!

SweetPeasMom 5 years 10 weeks

I used months the whole first year. After that, it depended on how close to her birthday. For the first few months after she turned one, I'd say, "She was one in April" and then I'd go by the months again, until about 20 months old when I just started saying, "She'll be two in April." Once she's two, I'll probably just go by years and half years.... 2, 2 1/2, 3, 3 1/2...

lickety split 5 years 10 weeks

generally i find that the parents of kids that have delays use months longer than other parents. to say the age in months like "48 months" rather than "4 years old" sort of softens the blow of how behind their child is developmentally.

lickety split 5 years 10 weeks

kikidawn 5 years 10 weeks

:ROTFL: hotstuff!!!!BTW 572 months = 47 years :)

kikidawn 5 years 10 weeks

:ROTFL: hotstuff!!!! BTW 572 months = 47 years :)

rgrl 5 years 10 weeks

LOL, I actually used to find it confusing when people would tell me their pregnancy stage in weeks... until you are pregnant it doesn't make sense. But even now I still have to think in months.

rgrl 5 years 10 weeks

Two years. Because there is still a lot of fast development going on between ages 1 and 2. Ie: my son was barely saying any words at 16 mos and now at almost 19mos he has a pretty big vocabulary all of a sudden. So in three months span quite a lot changed, that's why I think it makes sense to acknowledge the correct age.

asco00 5 years 10 weeks

I say 18 months. I think between 12 months and 18 months, it's still okay. I mean there can be a considerable difference between the milestones of a 12 month old and let's say a 16 month old. However once they hit the "year and a half" mark. Just say that. Or say almost 2 lol.

hotstuff 5 years 10 weeks

Ugh, I hate when parents are like, yea my baby is 572 months old! Gosh, it's so freaking annoying can you just say how many years old PLEASE!

Novaraen 5 years 10 weeks

I seriously cant stand to hear someone say their child is 27 months...or something ridiculous like that...just say they are 2!! I stopped after a year...

Novaraen 5 years 10 weeks

I seriously cant stand to hear someone say their child is 27 months...or something ridiculous like that...just say they are 2!!I stopped after a year...

chakra_healer 5 years 10 weeks

Sometime after the first year, definitely by the second.Imo, if I ask how old the baby is, it is easier to hear "one or almost two" versus the overly detailed "twenty-two and a half months" or something similar.

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