Weight and height of children: normal parameters

Weight and height of children are basic anthropometric indicators, which testify to the development of babies. Already in the first minutes of a baby's life, doctors examine him, assess the condition on the Apgar Scale, weigh and measure height (length).

What affects the growth and weight of children?

On these basic anthropometric data at birth, the following factors are of great importance:

• Heredity.
• The sex of the child.
• Lifestyle and nutrition of mother during pregnancy, etc.

The growth of a child after its appearance does not occur with equal intensity. In the first three months of his life the baby grows most quickly. Then the increase in growth is somewhat reduced.

With weight, not everything is so straightforward. This parameter is more dynamic and linked to growth. As a rule, in healthy children the greatest weight gain is observed in the first months of life. In some children, it may be somewhat larger, others smaller, but on average it is about 800 g per month. It depends on what kind of feeding is the baby. In children who are on artificial feeding, this increase may be slightly larger.

What to do if the growth and weight fall behind?

If the child after birth lags behind the established standards of growth and weight, it is necessary to find out the reason. One of them may be a lack of milk from the mother, if the baby is breastfed.

In this case, there are many ways to stimulate lactation. Pharmacies sell special teas and medicines to enhance the production of breast milk. Such drugs as "Apilac" and "Lactogon", can enhance lactation. From the popular methods helps to stimulate the lactation of drinking tea with milk. It is recommended that breastfeeding mothers drink more fluids.

If these methods to strengthen the production of breast milk did not help, then it is worthwhile to think about feeding the baby with soluble mixtures. A pediatrician will help you decide on a choice.

Who sets the norm for the anthropometric data of children?

WHO (World Health Organization) in 2006 developed and issued new standards that are responsible for the conformity of weight and height of the child.

The existing standards have not changed for more than 20 years and were calculated for children who are on artificial feeding. The previous standards were overestimated by approximately 10-15% of the existing standards. This is due to the fact that children who are on artificial feeding gain weight faster than their peers on breastfeeding.

Therefore, according to WHO experts, old regulations could cause incorrect recommendations on the introduction of supplementary feeding to babies, which increases the likelihood of obesity.

Normal weight and height of the baby. How to measure?

Each parent is worried about the question of whether his child is developing normally. To do this, you need to measure some parameters: the weight and height of children, as well as the circumference of the head. With weight measurement, there are usually no difficulties, just put the child on an accurate scale. In children's polyclinics there are special adaptations for infants. The weight of these children is measured by putting or putting them on a scales in a clean diaper.

To measure the growth of children in children's polyclinics, there is a rostomer. Measuring the growth of the baby can be done at home. To do this, it must be placed on the floor (without shoes) with its back to the vertical surface. It can be a wall. It is most convenient in the children's room to fix a rostomer (it is sold in clerical or book stores) on one of the walls. The back of the child should be straightened, the arms should be along the trunk, the legs together, the knees not bent. In this case, three points should touch the vertical surface: scapula, buttocks and heels. Perpendicular to this vertical surface (in our case walls) we apply a triangle or other object with an angle of 90 degrees to the top of the baby, mark the mark. Weight and height of the children measured, then check the parameters with the table.

Correspondence of weight and height of the child at birth

According to statistics, at birth, babies weigh from 2600 to 4500 g. Their height varies from 45 to 55 cm. This is considered the norm. If the child was born with anthropometric data slightly lower or higher than these indicators, then do not panic. Perhaps in the next month or two, he will catch up with his peers.

At normal development of the kid to one year it should treble the weight at a birth.

The parameters of growth and weight of children - this is a very individual concept. Sometimes a toddler, born with a small weight and height, already by the year of life distances his peers, whose weight at birth was normal.

If the weight and height of children after birth are added too quickly - it is not too good for their health. This, as a rule, can be observed with artificial feeding. Too intensive increase of these parameters can cause allergic reactions, low immunity of the child. In addition, children with high weight are less active and later begin to crawl and walk.

In a children's polyclinic, the child is weighed and measured for his height gain. Observing these parameters and, if necessary, adjusting the nutrition of babies, parents can protect him from possible health problems.