Child Growth Statistics

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When my son turned five months old, he weighed in at 20 pounds.  He filled up his infant carrier and his cheeks were so chubby that I was sure it was difficult for him to smile.

Was he obese? Did I need to nurse him less often? He was not drinking juice or eating any solids, and his height and weight percentile were evenly matched, thus showing that he was, in fact, growing just fine. I began dreaming of retiring early some day, able to live off of my son’s NFL paycheck.

But then just as quickly as my son grew into a giant baby, his growth slowed and he became a tiny toddler, gaining only a few pounds in the next two years.  In fact, as he now approaches his third birthday, he still barely weighs thirty pounds.  I became worried that there was something seriously wrong, but after doctor’s visits and precautionary bloodwork, we realized that he was just settling into what will most likely be his normal position on the growth chart – right around average for both height and weight.

Referencing CDC Growth Charts is a wonderful way to monitor your child’s growth.  If your child’s height and weight percentiles are drastically different, you may need to be concerned that your child is either overweight or underweight.  For example, a child who measures in the 75th percentile for weight but only 20th for height is overweight and you may need to monitor his diet.  Likewise, if your child is in the 90th percentile for height, but only in the 30th for weight, you may need to discuss your child’s nutrition with your pediatrician.

The purpose of the growth chart is not only to monitor how your child’s development is progressing, but also to be sure that your child’s growth falls somewhere in what is considered the normal range.  As always, consult your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns.

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