Growth

As kids grow from grade-schoolers to preteens, there continues to be a wide range of “normal” regarding height, weight, and shape.

Kids tend to get taller at a pretty steady pace, growing about 2.5 inches (6 to 7 centimeters) each year. When it comes to weight, kids gain about 4 to 7 lbs. (2 to 3 kg) per year until puberty starts.

This is also a time when kids start to have feelings about how they look and how they’re growing. Some girls may worry about being “too big,” especially those who are developing early. Boys tend to be sensitive about being too short.

Try to help your child understand that the important thing is not to “look” a certain way, but rather to be healthy. Kids can’t change the genes that will determine how tall they will be or when puberty starts. But they can make the most of their potential by developing healthy eating habits and being physically active.

Your doctor will take measurements at regular checkups, then plot your child’s results on a standard growth chart to follow over time and compare with other kids the same age and gender.

Helping Your Child Grow

Normal growth — supported by good nutrition, enough sleep, and regular exercise — is one of the best overall indicators of a child’s good health.

Your child’s growth pattern is largely determined by genetics. Pushing a child to eat extra food or greater than recommended amounts of vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients will not increase his or her height and may lead to weight problems.

By accepting who your child is, you also help your child build self-acceptance.

Puberty

Puberty — or sexual maturation — is a time of dramatic change for both boys and girls. The age at which the physical changes of puberty normally begin varies widely.

For both sexes, these hormone-driven changes are accompanied by growth spurts that transform children into physically mature teens as their bodies develop.

Breast development, usually the first noticeable sign of puberty in girls, may begin anytime between ages 8 and 13. These characteristics describe the sequence of events in girls as they move through puberty:

• Breasts begin to develop and hips become rounded.
• The increase in the rate of growth in height begins.
• Pubic hair begins to appear, usually 6 to 12 months after the start of breast development. About 15% of girls will develop pubic hair before breast development starts.
• The uterus and vagina, as well as labia and clitoris, increase in size.
• Pubic hair is well established and breasts grow further.
• The rate of growth in height reaches its peak by about 2 years after puberty began (average age is 12 years).
• Menstruation begins, almost always after the peak growth rate in height has been reached (average age is 12.5 years).

Once girls start to menstruate, they usually grow about 1 or 2 more inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters), reaching their final adult height by about age 14 or 15 years (younger or older depending on when puberty began).

Most boys show the first physical changes of puberty between ages 10 and 16, and tend to grow most quickly between ages 12 and 15. The growth spurt of boys is, on average, about 2 years later than that of girls. By age 16, most boys have stopped growing, but their muscles will continue to develop.

Other features of puberty in boys include:

• The penis and testicles increase in size.
• Pubic hair appears, followed by underarm and facial hair.
• The voice deepens and may sometimes crack or break.
• The Adam’s apple, or larynx cartilage, gets bigger.
• Testicles begin to produce sperm.

At the Doctor’s Office

Despite data collected for growth charts, “normal” heights and weights are difficult to define. Shorter parents, for instance, tend to have shorter kids, whereas taller parents tend to have taller kids.

Although you may worry if your child isn’t as tall as other kids that age, the more important question is whether your child is continuing to grow at a normal rate. If your doctor finds a problem — such as a growth rate that had been normal but has recently slowed — he or she may track your child’s measurements carefully over several months to see if the growth pattern suggests a possible health problem or is just a variation of normal.

If it’s found that your child is growing or developing too slowly, the doctor may order tests to check for medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, growth hormone deficiency, or other things that can affect growth.

If you have any concerns about your child’s growth or development, talk with your doctor.

My 15-month-old son walks with his feet turned in. My pediatrician assured me that it’s normal and that he’ll outgrow it. But I’m still worried. Won’t walking this way hurt him? Will he be able to play sports? Isn’t there something that doctors can do to straighten out his stride?
– Esther

Many toddlers walk with their feet turned in, which is sometimes called “walking pigeon-toed.” The medical name for it is in-toeing, and it usually corrects itself without any medical treatment. In most cases children go on to walk, run, and play sports without any problems.

In the past, special shoes and braces were used to treat in-toeing. But doctors found that these devices didn’t make in-toeing disappear any faster, so they’re rarely used now.

What causes in-toeing? As babies are growing in the womb, the tibia bones (the large bones between the knees and ankles) rotate inward to accommodate the baby’s fit within the uterus. Sometimes the femur bones (the bones between the hips and knees) also turn inward. So when children are learning to walk, their feet often turn in.

In-toeing usually disappears as kids develop and improve walking skills, usually around 4 to 6 years old.

Since in-toeing usually disappears gradually, it can be difficult for parents to notice any improvement from day to day. Doctors often suggest that parents who are concerned about in-toeing take a video of the child walking (from the front and the back) and take another video 1 year later. By watching and comparing the videos it’s easier to determine whether the in-toeing has improved. If it has not, talk with your doctor.

In some cases in-toeing is a sign of an injury or illness, and the child needs evaluation and possible treatment. Call the doctor if your child:

• is in-toeing and limping
• seems to have pain in the feet or legs
• is not learning to walk or talk as expected
• has in-toeing that is getting worse
• has one foot that turns in much more than the other
• is 3 years old and the in-toeing has not started to improve

Babies continue to grow quickly in both weight and length this month.

How Much Will My Baby Grow?

The first month of life was a period of rapid growth. Your baby will continue to grow at a similar rate, gaining about 1 to 1½ inches (2.5 to 3.8 centimeters) in length this month and about 2 more pounds (907 grams) in weight. These are just averages — your baby may grow somewhat faster or slower, and is likely to have a growth spurt.

If your baby is extra fussy or wants to eat more than usual at around 6 weeks of age, it’s probably due to a growth spurt. If you breastfeed, you might find your baby wants to eat more often (what may seem like every hour!), especially at certain times of the day. Some people call this “cluster feeding.” Formula-fed babies may want to eat more frequently or will drink more during feedings.

Pay attention to signals that your baby is hungry (sticking out the tongue or sucking) or full (turning away or dozing off). If the fussiness continues for more than a day or two, tell the doctor.

Your doctor will measure your baby’s weight, length, and head circumference and track his or her growth on a standardized growth chart (there are different charts for boys and girls). Whether your baby is large, small, or medium-sized, as long as this growth pattern stays consistent over time, chances are your baby’s progress is just fine.

If your baby is born prematurely, keep in mind that growth and development should not be compared with that of a full-term child. Preemies will need to be followed more closely and may need to be weighed more often during the first months to make sure they are growing properly. They have some catching up to do!

Should I Be Concerned?

If your baby is not growing at the expected rate, or the growth rate slows, your doctor will want to make sure your baby is getting enough to eat.

The doctor may ask you about:

• How many feedings a day your baby gets. At 1 month, a breastfed baby may feed about 8 times in a 24-hour period; bottle-fed babies usually eat less frequently, perhaps every 3 to 4 hours.
• How much your baby eats at each feeding. A baby generally nurses for at least 10 minutes, should be heard to swallow, and should seem satisfied when done. At this age, bottle-fed babies may drink up to 4 to 5 ounces (118-148 milliliters) at a time.
• How often your baby urinates. Babies should have at least 4 to 6 wet diapers a day.
• How many bowel movements your baby has each day, and their volume and consistency. Most babies will have 1 or more bowel movements daily, but it may be normal to skip 1 or 2 days if consistency is normal. Breastfed babies’ stools tend to be soft and slightly runny. The stools of formula-fed babies tend to be a little firmer, but should not be hard or formed.

Most of the time, a baby’s growth will simply be tracked over the next few months during routine well-baby visits. But if your doctor is concerned about your baby’s growth, he or she will want to see your baby more often.

What’s Next?

Next month, you can expect to see your baby grow 1 to 1½ inches (2.5 to 3.8 centimeters) in length and gain about 2 pounds (907 grams).

At this rate, it may seem like your baby is outgrowing clothes every other day and you can’t keep up. Don’t worry. Rapid growth will slow down in the second half of the first year.

Your baby has grown by leaps and bounds in this first year of life, and more than doubled his or her birth weight.

Is My Baby Growing Normally?

Babies’ growth begins to slow as the first birthday approaches.

Your baby’s weight, length, and head circumference have been measured since birth and plotted on a growth chart by your doctor. This is where you should start looking if you have questions about how your baby measures up.

When you review the growth chart with the doctor, make sure to compare your baby’s growth with his or her own growth pattern, not with the growth of other babies. As long as your baby’s growth is steady, there is probably no reason to worry.

If you are concerned your baby has slowed growth or a drop in weight, the doctor may ask these questions:

• Has your baby been sick? A couple of days of not eating, especially if combined with vomiting or diarrhea, can lead to weight loss that will be regained when your little one feels better.
• Is your baby on the move? Crawling, cruising, and walking will burn calories, so weight gain might not be as great with this new mobility.
• Is your baby just more interested in playing peek-a-boo or dropping the spoon on the floor than eating? The world is a fascinating place, and your baby is learning new things every day. Keep distractions at a minimum during mealtime and pay attention to cues that he or she has eaten enough.
• Are you introducing the right kinds of foods? As your baby gets better at eating, you can begin to pay more attention to the texture and variety of foods you serve. If your child is not so interested in puréed baby foods, how about introducing soft table foods and finger foods that are safe and fun? Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about how your baby is growing.

What About the Chubby Baby?

With all the concern about childhood obesity, parents may worry that their baby is gaining too much weight. A few babies and toddlers are overweight. For these children, professional advice from the baby’s doctor can be useful.

Never withhold feedings, but pay attention to your baby’s cues that he or she is full. Get down on the rug with your baby and encourage physical activity, making sure your little one has a safe space to move around in. Limit the amount of time spent in car seats, strollers, and playpens.

Make sure your baby’s calories are coming from nutritious sources — like fruits, vegetables, and fortified cereals. Breast milk or formula should continue to be the main source of nourishment in the first year of life. At this age, 100% fruit juice can be introduced in a sippy cup (limited to 4 ounces, or 120 milliliters, or less a day), but juice is not a necessary food.

As a parent, one of the best things you can do for your baby is to eat well and be physically active yourself. Your baby has a better chance of growing up fit if good health habits are part of the family’s way of life. Not only will you be a good role model, but you’ll have the energy to really enjoy life with your child (and the stamina to chase after your little one).

What’s Next?

For the remainder of this year and next year, expect that your baby’s growth will slow down. As your little one becomes more and more mobile, it’s likely that those rolls of baby fat will begin to fall away and be replaced by a longer, leaner silhouette.

Your baby has grown by leaps and bounds in this first year of life, and more than doubled his or her birth weight.

Is My Baby Growing Normally?

Babies’ growth begins to slow as the first birthday approaches.

Your baby’s weight, length, and head circumference have been measured since birth and plotted on a growth chart by your doctor. This is where you should start looking if you have questions about how your baby measures up.

When you review the growth chart with the doctor, make sure to compare your baby’s growth with his or her own growth pattern, not with the growth of other babies. As long as your baby’s growth is steady, there is probably no reason to worry.

If you are concerned your baby has slowed growth or a drop in weight, the doctor may ask these questions:

• Has your baby been sick? A couple of days of not eating, especially if combined with vomiting or diarrhea, can lead to weight loss that will be regained when your little one feels better.
• Is your baby on the move? Crawling, cruising, and walking will burn calories, so weight gain might not be as great with this new mobility.
• Is your baby just more interested in playing peek-a-boo or dropping the spoon on the floor than eating? The world is a fascinating place, and your baby is learning new things every day. Keep distractions at a minimum during mealtime and pay attention to cues that he or she has eaten enough.
• Are you introducing the right kinds of foods? As your baby gets better at eating, you can begin to pay more attention to the texture and variety of foods you serve. If your child is not so interested in puréed baby foods, how about introducing soft table foods and finger foods that are safe and fun? Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about how your baby is growing.

What About the Chubby Baby?

With all the concern about childhood obesity, parents may worry that their baby is gaining too much weight. A few babies and toddlers are overweight. For these children, professional advice from the baby’s doctor can be useful.

Never withhold feedings, but pay attention to your baby’s cues that he or she is full. Get down on the rug with your baby to encourage physical activity, making sure your little one has a safe space to move around in. Limit the amount of time spent in car seats, strollers, and playpens.

Make sure your baby’s calories are coming from nutritious sources — like fruits, vegetables, and fortified cereals. Breast milk or formula should continue to be the main source of nourishment in the first year of life. At this age, 100% fruit juice can be introduced in a sippy cup (limited to 4 ounces, or 120 milliliters, or less a day), but juice is not a necessary food.

As a parent, one of the best things you can do for your baby is to eat well and be physically active yourself. Your baby has a better chance of growing up fit if good health habits are part of the family’s way of life. Not only will you be a good role model, but you’ll have the energy to really enjoy life with your child (and the stamina to chase after your little one).

What’s Next?

For the remainder of this year and next year, expect that your baby’s growth will slow down. As your little one becomes more and more mobile, it’s likely that those rolls of baby fat will begin to fall away and be replaced by a longer, leaner silhouette.

Your baby has grown by leaps and bounds in this first year of life, and more than doubled his or her birth weight.

Is My Baby Growing Normally?

Babies’ growth begins to slow as the first birthday approaches.

Your baby’s weight, length, and head circumference have been measured since birth and plotted on a growth chart by your doctor. This is where you should start looking if you have questions about how your baby measures up.

When you review the growth chart with the doctor, make sure to compare your baby’s growth with his or her own growth pattern, not with the growth of other babies. As long as your baby’s growth is steady, there is probably no reason to worry.

If you are concerned your baby has slowed growth or a drop in weight, the doctor may ask these questions:

• Has your baby been sick? A couple of days of not eating, especially if combined with vomiting or diarrhea, can lead to weight loss that will be regained when your little one feels better.
• Is your baby on the move? Crawling, cruising, and walking will burn calories, so weight gain might not be as great with this new mobility.
• Is your baby just more interested in playing peek-a-boo or dropping the spoon on the floor than eating? The world is a fascinating place, and your baby is learning new things every day. Keep distractions at a minimum during mealtime and pay attention to cues that he or she has eaten enough.
• Are you introducing the right kinds of foods? As your baby gets better at eating, you can begin to pay more attention to the texture and variety of foods you serve. If your child is not so interested in puréed baby foods, how about introducing soft table foods and finger foods that are safe and fun? Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about how your baby is growing.

What About the Chubby Baby?

With all the concern about childhood obesity, parents may worry that their baby is gaining too much weight. A few babies and toddlers are overweight. For these children, professional advice from the baby’s doctor can be useful.

Never withhold feedings, but pay attention to your baby’s cues that he or she is full. Get down on the rug with your baby to encourage physical activity, making sure your little one has a safe space to move around in. Limit the amount of time spent in car seats, strollers, and playpens.

Make sure your baby’s calories are coming from nutritious sources — like fruits, vegetables, and fortified cereals. Breast milk or formula should continue to be the main source of nourishment in the first year of life. At this age, 100% fruit juice can be introduced in a sippy cup (limited to 4 ounces, or 120 milliliters, or less a day), but juice is not a necessary food.

As a parent, one of the best things you can do for your baby is to eat well and be physically active yourself. Your baby has a better chance of growing up fit if good health habits are part of the family’s way of life. Not only will you be a good role model, but you’ll have the energy to really enjoy life with your child (and the stamina to chase after your little one).

What’s Next?

For the remainder of this year and next year, expect that your baby’s growth will slow down. As your little one becomes more and more mobile, it’s likely that those rolls of baby fat will begin to fall away and be replaced by a longer, leaner silhouette.

Babies continue to grow quickly in weight and length this month.

How Much Will My Baby Grow?

The first two months of life were a period of rapid growth. Your baby will continue to grow at a similar rate, gaining about 1 to 1½ inches (2.5 to 3.8 centimeters) in length and 2 pounds (907 grams) in weight this month. These are just averages — your baby may grow somewhat faster or slower, and is likely to experience growth spurts.

If your baby is extra fussy or wants to eat more than usual, it’s probably due to a growth spurt. If you breastfeed, your baby might want to eat more often (what may seem like every hour!), especially at certain times of the day. Some people call this “cluster feeding.” Formula-fed babies may want to eat more frequently or will drink more during feedings.

Pay attention to signals that your baby is hungry (sticking out the tongue or sucking) or full (turning away or dozing off). If the fussiness continues for more than a day or two, tell the doctor.

Your doctor will measure your baby’s weight, length, and head circumference and track his or her growth on a standardized growth chart (there are different charts for boys and girls). Whether your baby is large, small, or medium-sized, as long as this growth pattern stays consistent over time, chances are everything is fine.

If your baby is born prematurely, keep in mind that growth and development should not be compared with that of a full-term child. Preemies will need to be followed more closely and may need to be weighed more often during the first months to make sure they are growing properly. They have some catching up to do!

Should I Be Concerned?

If your baby is not growing at the expected rate, or the growth rate slows, your doctor will want to make sure your baby is getting enough to eat.

The doctor may ask you about:

• How many feedings a day your baby gets. At 2 months old, a breastfed baby may feed about 8 times in a 24-hour period; formula-fed babies usually eat less frequently, about every 4 hours. Now that babies are drinking more at a time they will feed less frequently and sleep longer at night.
• How much your baby eats at each feeding. A baby generally nurses for at least 10 minutes, should be heard to swallow, and should seem satisfied when done. Bottle-fed babies eat about 5 to 6 ounces (148 to 177 milliliters) — some more and some less — at each feeding. Breastfeeding mothers may benefit from seeing a lactation consultant to increase comfort and improve technique.
• How many bowel movements your baby has each day, and their volume and consistency. Most babies will have 1 or more bowel movements daily, but it may be normal to skip 1 or 2 days if consistency is normal. Breastfed babies’ stools tend to be soft and slightly runny. The stools of formula-fed babies tend to be a little firmer, but should not be hard or formed.

Most of the time, a baby’s growth will simply be tracked over the next few months during routine well-baby visits. But if your doctor is concerned about your baby’s growth, he or she will want to see your baby more often.

What’s Next?

On average, babies between 3 and 6 months grow in length and weight at a steady rate. Sometimes, it may seem like your baby is outgrowing clothes every other day and you can’t keep up. Don’t worry. Rapid growth will start to slow down in the second half of the first year.

Most babies continue to grow in weight and length this month.

How Much Will My Baby Grow?

The first few months of life are a period of rapid growth. Your baby will gain about 1 to 1½ inches (2.5 to 3.8 centimeters) in length and 1½ to 2 pounds (681 to 907 grams) this month. These are just averages — your baby may grow somewhat faster or slower, and is likely to have growth spurts.

If your baby is extra fussy or wants to eat more than usual, it’s probably due to a growth spurt. If you breastfeed, your baby might want to eat more often (what may seem like every hour!), especially at certain times of the day. Some people call this “cluster feeding.” Formula-fed babies may want to eat more frequently or will drink more during feedings.

Pay attention to signals that your baby is hungry (sticking out the tongue or sucking) or full (turning away or dozing off). If the fussiness continues for more than a day or two, talk to your doctor.

Your doctor will measure your baby’s weight, length, and head circumference and track his or her growth on a standardized growth chart (there are different charts for boys and girls). Whether your baby is large, small, or medium-sized, as long as this growth pattern stays consistent over time, chances are everything is fine.

If your baby is born prematurely, keep in mind that growth and development should not be compared with that of a full-term child. Preemies will need to be followed more closely and may need to be weighed more often during the first months to make sure they are growing properly. They have some catching up to do!

Should I Be Concerned?

If your baby is not growing at the expected rate, or the growth rate slows, your doctor will want to make sure your baby is getting enough to eat.

The doctor may ask you about:

• How many feedings a day your baby gets. At 3 months old, a breastfed baby may feed 8 times in a 24-hour day; formula-fed babies usually eat less frequently, about every 4 hours.
• How much your baby eats at each feeding. A baby generally nurses for at least 10 minutes, should be heard to swallow, and should seem satisfied when done. At this age, bottle-fed babies may eat up to 6 to 7 ounces (177 to 207 milliliters) at each feeding.
• How many bowel movements your baby has each day, and their volume and consistency. Most babies will have 1 or more bowel movements daily, but it may be normal to skip 1 or 2 days if consistency is normal. Breastfed babies’ stools should be soft and slightly runny. The stools of formula-fed babies tend to be a little firmer, but should not be hard or formed.

Most of the time, a baby’s growth will simply be tracked over the next few months during routine well-baby visits. But if your doctor is concerned about your baby’s growth, he or she will want to see your baby more often.

What’s Next?

Your baby will continue to grow in length and weight at a steady rate. By 4 months, most babies have doubled their birth weight.

Babies this age continue to grow — in size, physical skills, and their ability to interact with the world.

Many of the new skills they’re learning will come in handy for eating solid food. In fact, some time over the next few months, your baby may get that first taste of food beyond breast milk or formula. Although breastfeeding or formula feeding will continue to be the main source of nourishment, your baby can start to explore different tastes and textures.

As long as your baby continues to grow steadily, eating habits shouldn’t be a cause for concern.

How Much Will My Baby Grow?

By 4 months, many babies have doubled their birth weight. This month, babies gain about 1 to 1¼ pounds (560 grams) and about 0.8 inches (2 centimeters) in length.

Since your child’s birth, the doctor has been recording growth in weight, length, and head size (circumference) during your regular well-baby visits. The doctor tracks these numbers on standard growth charts. Ask your doctor to show you your baby’s growth record. By now, you should begin to see a personal growth curve emerging — expect your child to continue growing along this curve.

Should I Be Concerned?

Is my baby big enough? Is my child destined to be tall or short? Parents often worry about growth and may compare a baby with siblings and peers. It’s important to remember that kids come in a wide range of shapes and sizes.

Growth depends on many factors, including:

• genes passed on by the parents (kids tend to resemble their parents in height)
• the amount and quality of food a child eats
• overall health
• the functioning of the hormones that control growth

Based on the growth chart, the doctor can determine whether your child is growing as expected. If at any time you’re concerned about your baby’s weight or growth in general, discuss your worries with your doctor.

In response to your concerns, the doctor may ask you these questions:

• How many feedings a day does your baby get?
• How much does your baby eat at each feeding?
• How long does a breastfeeding baby nurse at each feeding?
• What else are you feeding your baby?
• How frequent are your baby’s bowel movements? What do they look like?
• How often does your baby pee?

The doctor also may ask questions about your baby’s health and development. All of these things together will help the doctor decide if your baby is growing at an appropriate rate. The doctor may recommend tests if he or she thinks there may be a problem that needs to be addressed.

Premature babies may still be behind in size compared with their full-term peers, but they should also be growing steadily at their own rate.

What About the Chubby Baby?

With all the concern about childhood obesity, parents may worry that their baby is getting too fat. A few babies and toddlers are overweight. For these children, advice from the baby’s doctor can be useful.

Never withhold food from a baby in an attempt to cause weight loss. To grow and develop as they should, babies need proper nutrition, including fat, in their diet. For the first year, breast milk or formula should continue to be their main source of nourishment.

It’s safe to introduce solid foods at around 6 months for breastfed babies, and between 4 to 6 months for formula-fed babies. When the time is right, start with a single-grain cereal for babies (rice cereal has traditionally been the first food for babies), and then introduce other foods, such as puréed fruits, vegetables, or meats. Your doctor can advise you on how much of each food to give, but pay close attention to your baby’s cues that he or she has had enough.

What’s Next?

Your baby’s rapid growth will start to slow down as the first birthday approaches. But expect big changes in the coming months as your infant becomes more mobile.

Babies this age continue to grow — in size, physical skills, and their ability to interact with the world. Many of the new skills they’re learning will come in handy for eating solid food.

In fact, some time during this period, your baby may get that first taste of food beyond breast milk or formula. Although breastfeeding or formula feeding will continue to be the main source of nourishment, your baby can start to explore different tastes and textures.

As long as your baby continues to grow steadily, eating habits shouldn’t be a cause for concern.

How Much Will My Baby Grow?

By 5 months, your baby’s birth weight may have doubled. Babies continue to gain about 1¼ pounds (560 grams) this month and about 0.8 inches (2 centimeters) in length. Since your child’s birth, the doctor has been recording growth in weight, length, and head size (circumference) during your regular well-baby visits. The doctor tracks these numbers on standard growth charts.

Ask your doctor to show you your baby’s growth record. By now, you should begin to see a personal growth curve emerging. Expect your child to continue growing along this curve.

Should I Be Concerned?

Is my baby big enough? Too thin? Is my child destined to be tall or short? Parents often worry about growth and may compare a baby with siblings and peers. It’s important to remember that kids come in a wide range of shapes and sizes.

Growth depends on many factors, including:

• genes passed on by the parents (kids tend to resemble their parents in height)
• the amount and quality of food a child eats
• overall health
• the functioning of the hormones that control growth

Based on the growth chart, the doctor can determine whether your child is growing as expected. If at any time you’re concerned about your baby’s weight or growth in general, discuss your worries with your doctor.

In response to your concerns, the doctor may ask you these questions:

• How many feedings a day does your baby get?
• How much does your baby eat at each feeding?
• How long does a breastfeeding baby nurse at each feeding?
• What else are you feeding your baby?
• How frequent are your baby’s bowel movements? What do they look like?
• How often does your baby pee?

The doctor also may ask questions about your baby’s health and development. All of these things together will help the doctor decide if your baby is growing at an appropriate rate. The doctor may recommend tests if he or she thinks there may be a problem that needs to be addressed.

Premature babies may still be behind in size compared with their full-term peers, but they should also be growing steadily at their own rate.

What About the Chubby Baby?

With all the concern about childhood obesity, parents may worry that their baby is getting too fat. A few babies and toddlers are overweight. For these children, advice from the baby’s doctor can be useful.

Never withhold food from a baby in an attempt to cause weight loss. To grow and develop as they should, babies need proper nutrition, including fat, in their diet. For the first year, breast milk or formula should continue to be the main source of nourishment.

It’s best to introduce solid foods at around 6 months for breastfed babies, and between 4 to 6 months for formula-fed babies. When the time is right, start with a single-grain cereal for babies (rice cereal has traditionally been the first food for babies but you can start with any type), and then introduce other foods, such as puréed fruits, vegetables, or meats. Your doctor can advise you on how much of each food to give, but pay close attention to your baby’s cues that he or she has had enough.

What’s Next?

Your baby’s rapid growth will start to slow down as the first birthday approaches. Expect big changes in the coming months as your infant becomes more mobile.