Each baby is unique and covers developmental milestones at unique pace. However, it is important to keep a track of baby's growth and how the vital characteristics are developing. There are certain guidelines so as to detect any potential problems that may occur, hampering the baby's growth.

Baby's Weight is more important than Height

An average weight is an indicator that the baby's digestive system is in perfect condition and that all the nutritional requirements of the baby are being met. Height however, is determined more by genes than by health. In the case of a pre-mature birth baby, there are two ages given by the pediatrician - the chronological age (calculated from their birthday) and the adjusted age (calculated from the day they were meant to be born). Using a growth chart helps in keeping a record of the baby's natural characteristics in their vital stage of growth. The indicators that constitute a growth chart are:

Weight according to the baby's age
Length/height according to the baby's age
Weight according to the baby's height
Body mass index of the baby according to the age
Head circumference according to the baby's age
Arm circumference according to the baby's age
Motor development milestones as per the baby's age

A growth chart, simply put, is the evidence of a child's health record and the baby's growth rate. The use of a growth chart aids in making you understand whether the baby's growth is as per the normally expected rate. Children come in various sizes but a growth chart is unique to an individual baby's health characteristics, depending upon the baby's age, weight and height. What growth rate is to be considered normal is a wide area where kids are concerned. Hence, it is best to maintain a growth chart that best reflects the expected rate of the baby's growth as per his unique characteristics. A top Pediatrician in Gurgaon says,

Children usually begin to exhibit a shift of about 6 months according to the build they have inherited from their family genes and their nutritional intake.

Breastfed babies are fatter in the initial months than later and vice versa for kids fed on formula

Pre-mature babies tend to cover up on their chronological age with the help of nutritional intake and their family genes. An average newborn is 19.5 inches in length and weighs at around 7.25 pounds. But due to the fluids like urine and stool that the baby loses, it drops about 5 to 10 percent of the body weight in the initial days post birth.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a standard growth chart for children according to age. Growth charts are used by parents and pediatricians to analyze and compare a baby's vital growth characteristics as per the WHO chart. However, there are no hard and fast rules to follow as each child is unique, and grows at its own steady pace of growth.

List of Best Pediatricians in India

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