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But the infant was created by God, so how can it need anything else? And if it dies without baptism, it still, presumably, goes to heaven...so where is the cut-off point for getting into heaven without baptism? After birth? 1? 2? After that, does the chance for heaven after death expire? These questions are more general than specific related to you, Dave. I'm just confused and my Catholic background muddles things more. Oh, and I'm 6 months pregnant, so, go figure.

But the infant was created by God, so how can it need anything else?

Adam and Eve were created lacking nothing. They messed it up and it is this deprived nature we inherit.

And if it dies without baptism, it still, presumably, goes to heaven

Presumably. It is hard to fathom damnation for such a one, that is for sure.

...so where is the cut-off point for getting into heaven without baptism? After birth? 1? 2?

You've never heard of an age of reason? When a child is capable of understanding right from wrong and is capable of choosing to do wrong. This is not the instinctive actions of a toddler or infant. But the reasoned actions of a child older.

It is at this point that a child can sin -- therefore it is at this point that personal sin damns them.

After that, does the chance for heaven after death expire?

If one dies in a state of grace, one attains Heaven. If one dies with unrepentant mortal sin on ones soul, one would meet another fate. Once a person can understand and choose good or evil, one's fate rests with one's choices.

This is why we have Confession, to restore the soul after repenting of sin.

These questions are more general than specific related to you, Dave. I'm just confused and my Catholic background muddles things more. Oh, and I'm 6 months pregnant, so, go figure.

That I can explain. LOL

But the infant was created by God, so how can it need anything else?

Look at it this way. Fish were created by God, yet they do not have the capacity of man in terms of reason. Trees were created by God, yet they do not have the capacity of sense.

We ourselves lack much because we do not have all the characteristics of the angels, or even God Himself. All creation is by nature imperfection, because it lacks the totality of God.

Thus, even though we were created by God, we still *need* grace to attain supernatural life. It is super + natural, i.e. above our nature.