As a new parent, you might be wondering whether your child is growing at a normal rate. Of course, every child is different and unique. Many parameters play a big role in your child’s growth including nutrition and physical activity, environmental factors, and genes inherited by both parents. On the other hand, the increase in height and weight generally follow a regular pattern for small children, depending on their age, defined by well-developed growth charts.
Growth charts and how to use them
Growth charts track your child’s growth pattern. Whenever you measure your child (weight, length, height, head circumference), you can mark the measurements on the chart. Of course, your pediatrician will measure and assess your child at regular visits, which may occur:
- within 1 to 2 weeks of birth,
- at 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months, and
- once per year for children older than 2 years of age and for adolescents.
What are regular growth rates for each age group
Birth to age 1
Your baby’s weight triples and its weight increases for about 25 cm. An average-sized baby is 50 cm long at birth and grows to about 30 in by age one. Breastfed babies tend to grow more quickly in the first six months of life, and more slowly in the second six months of life.
Ages 1 to 3
After age 1, a baby's growth in length slows down, and by age 2, growth in height usually continues at a fairly steady rate of about 6 cm per year until adolescence.
Most kids will reach from 74 to 94 cm and about 14 kg.
Ages 4 to 9
Girls who start puberty early, at age eight or nine, may begin their big growth spurt.
Ages 10 to adolescence
Puberty is accompanied by a growth spurt, usually between 8 to 13 years of age in girls and 10 to 15 years in boys. Sexual development occurs simultaneously, including the appearance of pubic and underarm hair, the growth and development of sex organs, and menstruation. Girls grow about 23 to 28 cm (age of menstruation plays a big role) and boys gain about 26 to 28 cm. By the time girls reach age 15 and boys reach age 16 or 17, the growth of puberty has ended for most and they will have reached physical maturity.