Benefits of investing in a customized growth plan for your baby

A baby growth chart is a standard reference chart. These were formed from the statistics gained by weighing and measuring thousands of children. The national bodies standardise these weights and measures to fit their ethnicities and races. For example, an Asian baby's growth cannot be compared to that of an African baby. They are used to compare babies' growth stages at different ages.

This article will help you understand the baby growth plan in detail, including baby growth stages, its benefits, the growth charts, and the importance of investing in a customised baby growth chart.

STAGES OF BABY GROWTH:

Babies undergo an incredible transformation in the first 12 months of life. There are new exciting developments in baby growth week by week. These developments are termed milestones. The baby is constantly learning and mastering new activities while growing. Some babies begin to talk by eight months, while others do not wait until one year. Parents seldom get worried when this happens.

WHAT ARE BABY GROWTH SPURTS?

Baby growth spurts are periods during which the baby has a sudden increase in growth. They might want to nurse more, get fussier, and change their sleeping patterns. Baby growth spurts last a few days to weeks, although it seems like forever. These are the periods when you observe baby growth spurts:

• 1-3 weeks

• Six weeks

• Three months

• Six months

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• Nine months

WHAT DO YOU SEE ON A GROWTH CHART?

Paediatricians use it to determine growth; there are different charts from 0-36 months for adults and teens.

• Weight (in ounce, pounds or kilograms)

• Height (lying down in children under the age of 3 and standing above the age of 3)

• head circumference (diameter of the head by using a tape)

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It helps in determining a child's BMI (Body mass index). It estimates a baby's body fat.

These measurements are then plotted on the growth chart and compared with the standard chart for the same age and sex. It gives an overall estimation of the baby's health and growth progress.

UNDERSTANDING GROWTH CHARTS

Parents worry when the child's growth is not up to the mark compared with peers of the same age group.

Learning some of these things about the baby growth charts will help parents understand the fluctuations in the baby's growth.

• Measurements could be wrong.

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• One measurement cannot be the critical determinant. Babies often tend to have diarrhoea or lose their appetite. It can cause weight changes

• Measurements usually range widely; what may seem low may not be the same as what is considered "normal". It does not mean the baby is unwell.

• A child's measurement does not always indicate their future height or weight. It does not mean they will be skinny or fat, short or tall in future.

Thes are given in the measurement unit called "percentiles."

If the child's weight is at the 50th percentile, it means out of 100 normal children their age, 50 will be bigger than them, and 50 will be smaller than them.

Similarly, if a baby is at the 10th percentile, out of 100 children, 90 are more considerable, and ten are smaller than them.

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WHEN SHOULD WE WORRY?

When the measurements stay below the 10th percentile or above the 90th percentile

• If the head is growing too slowly or too quickly

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• When sizes do not visit nearby one line or when there is a significant deviation on the graph.

• Such abnormal growths indicate a possible medical problem. A physician or a paediatrician must intervene to rule out medical conditions causing it.

WHAT DOES IT TELL US

Growth charts do not tell us much. But it shows us the rate of growth of the child.

• In the normal growth rate, the growth curve will follow a similar pattern at every stage.

• Worry is only until the growth lines have passed two percentile lines

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• Drastic changes indicate health problems which should be intervened and corrected.

IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING IN CUSTOMISED BABY GROWTH PLANS

Worrying about the child's growth is expected of parents. Sometimes, the baby may not be growing as well as it appears.

• Occasionally, minor internal deficiencies may not make them sick but hinder their growth. It is where growth chart monitoring helps.

• It indicates that the child is growing perfectly normally

• It is the least invasive method of measuring the health and wellness of a baby.

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• Gives an insight into the nutritional status.

• Provides an insight into conditions such as overweight, underweight, obesity, and genetic and endocrine disorders.

OVERVIEW

Sustaining and monitoring baby growth chart is a simple yet beneficial process. Paediatricians follow it as they understand the significance behind its results. Parents should be attentive to them. Knowing this information will help in critically taking care of them. It is essential to not excessively obsess over them as the values on growth charts are just possibilities. Look for an able paediatrician to understand the child's concerns and needs.

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