Weight and Height

Growth charts are tools your pediatrician can use to keep track of your child's physical growth. During each checkup, your doctor will measure your baby's height, weight and head circumference.

The doctor can then compare the measurements for your baby with the national averages for infants of the same sex and age. The result is that you doctor will be able to tell you what percentile your baby is in when compared to averages for babies around the nation.

For example, if you doctor says your baby is in the 84th percentile for weight, this means that 84 percent of all babies in the nation of the same sex and age weight less than your baby and 16 percent weigh more.

Typically, parents seem to worry quite a bit about these percentages. That worrying is needless. There are many factors that come into play when determining where your baby's statistics wil fall.

It is important to remember that no two babies are the same and that every child will grow at his own pace. Body chemistry, heredity, diet ad many other factors come into play. Unless your doctor is concerned about your baby's height or weight, don't you worry about it.

In addition to the doctors measuring, many parents like to track baby's growth at home. This isn't necessary but it could be fun.

If you have a baby scale, tracking weight will be pretty simple. If you don't have a baby scale, you can still track baby's weight on your own scale. Weight yourself without the baby then pick her up and weight the two of you together. Subtract your weight from your combined weight and you have the weight of the baby. This, of course, will not be as accurate as the baby scale or the doctor's scale but you are just doing this for fun anyway so you don't need precision.

To measure your baby's height, simply lay him on his changing table and measure from head to toes. Watch the way the doctor or nurse does it.

Record these measurements in your baby's diary.

If you decide to measure your baby's head circumference, wrap the measuring tape around the center of the back of the head, over the ears and right above the eyebrows.

Don't take your home measurements too seriously. This is more for fun than anything else. Your doctor will have a more accurate record of your baby's development if it is ever needed. If you notice a marked reduction in weight, it is important to consult your doctor right away.