Growth charts are tools that healthcare providers use to track a child's growth over time. They show the pattern of a child's growth compared to other children of the same age and gender. The charts include percentile curves that show the distribution of measurements for children.
Percentiles show how your baby's measurements compare to other children of the same age and sex. For example:
- 50th percentile means your baby is larger than 50% of babies that age (average)
- 75th percentile means your baby is larger than 75% of babies that age
- 25th percentile means your baby is smaller than 75% of babies that age
A healthy baby can be at any percentile, what matters most is that they follow a consistent growth pattern over time.
Consult your healthcare provider if you notice:
- A significant drop or rise across multiple percentile lines
- Weight or height consistently below the 3rd percentile or above the 97th percentile
- Growth that doesn't follow the expected curve
- Signs of poor nutrition or feeding problems
Remember, percentiles are just one tool for assessing health. Your healthcare provider will consider many factors when evaluating your baby's growth.
- WHO charts (0-2 years) are based on healthy breastfed infants from diverse international backgrounds and represent optimal growth under ideal conditions.
- CDC charts are based on a mix of breast and formula-fed American children.
- In the US, WHO charts are recommended for children under 2, while CDC charts are used for older children.