What is an infant growth chart?

Growth charts have been used since 1977 to track baby development.

What do infant growth charts measure?

understanding infant growth charts, blue measuring tape on pink background

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How do you read infant growth charts?

Heres what to know about each data point.

Weight growth charts

Children experience the most rapid weight gain during infancy.

understanding infant growth charts, blue measuring tape on pink background

Most babies double theirbirth weightbetween 4 and 6 months and triple it by 1 year old.

Things start slowing down between 1 and 2 years old.

Most children continue to gain weight at this rate between 2 and 5 years old.

understanding infant growth charts, blue measuring tape on pink background

Regardless, this probably isn’t cause for concern.

What does “percentile” mean on a baby’s growth chart?

To get a clear picture of growth, your doctor will also consider the relationship between weight and length.

understanding infant growth charts, blue measuring tape on pink background

If length is 85th percentile but weight is 15th percentile, your baby might be underweight.

The other way around?

Your baby may be overfed.

understanding infant growth charts, blue measuring tape on pink background

What is considered a “normal” percentile range?

Is a higher percentile better for babies?

A higher reading on a growth chart is not necessarily a good or a bad thing.

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What if there’s a sudden change in my baby’s measurements?

Babies can be wriggly, and that can easily affect the results.

When should I worry about my babys growth?

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Its important to not compare your baby to others.

As long as shes growing steadily on her individual curve, theres often no need to worry.

And after the first year, her growth pattern will slow down.

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Though you know your baby best.

If you have any concerns about your babys growth, talk to her pediatrician.

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