Norms for a child's weight and height from 1. Do you know what a child's height and weight should be by month? Normal baby weight at birth

As each child develops, it grows and gains weight. Parents who are concerned about their baby growing “correctly” always pay attention to “normal” indicators of body weight and height, focusing on the average data given in the tables of the World Health Organization. When answering the question of how much a child of a certain age should weigh, it should be taken into account that each person’s body has individual characteristics. That is, in order to understand that everything is fine with the child and he is growing normally, you need not only to compare his parameters with the standard, but also to take into account their relationships.

The ratio of height parameters and body weight of a child

The concept of “body mass index” is well known to many parents - especially mothers who watch their figure. To assess the harmonious development of the child and identify possible deviations in height and weight, you will also need to calculate BMI.

It is important to remember that normal values ​​for a baby differ from similar values ​​calculated for the adult population. The normal BMI of an adult is no more than 25; for children, a similar index can vary between 13-21. BMI is calculated to help diagnose the following conditions:

1. obesity requiring treatment;
2. overweight;
3. slightly increased weight, within the permissible range of normal fluctuations;
4. normal weight (see also:);
5. underweight;
6. exhaustion requiring treatment.

Features of the baby's first year of life

In the first twelve months of a child’s life, indicators of his growth and development are directly related to feeding characteristics. In accordance with WHO guidelines, a child who is on breastfeeding and had a birth weight of 3.3 kg (boy) or 3.2 kg (girl). According to growth standards, the “starting indicators” are taken to be 49.9 cm and 49.1 cm, respectively.

If the baby was born with less body weight and height (this often occurs in children born ahead of schedule, as well as those born from short parents), then there is no need to worry that after a month or two he “lags behind” the table indicators.

Until one year of age, the determining factor is not whether height and weight correspond to the table, but their change over time. If a child systematically gains weight and grows, then everything is fine with him, and there is no reason to panic.

Girls' height and weight

Height and weight of boys

The characteristics of the weight and height of male children before they reach one year of age are determined according to the same principles as for girls. Monthly weight gain is of decisive importance for monitoring the condition and development of a child - that is, you need to compare the baby first of all with himself, what he was like a month ago.

Indicators of a child under 10 years of age

The period from birth to the age of 10 is characterized by rapid growth of the child. However, if before the age of one year the baby grew noticeably and became “heavier” almost every day, at an older age he will grow a little slower.

This is due to changes in metabolism and the growing activity of the baby: a baby spends much less energy and calories on outdoor games than a toddler who has already learned to walk and run, and is now actively exploring the world around him.

Baby's height and weight at 1 year

If we look at the average values, we can note that during the first year of life the baby gains about 6-7 kilograms. Moreover, most of the “gain” occurs in the first six months of life, when the child gains about 700-800 grams in one month. At proper care By 6-7 months, healthy low-weight babies can “catch up” in weight to their peers born with average body weight.

The weight of a one-year-old child is considered normal if its value is in the range between 8 and 12 kg. The increase in height will be about 25 cm. The height of a child at 1 year is approximately 75 cm ± 6 cm.

Height and weight from 2 to 3 years

Between two and three years old, the baby is still growing. However, in his daily routine there is less and less quiet rest and meals, and the amount of time devoted to outdoor games is steadily growing. Normally, during the third year of his life, a child will gain about two to three kilograms (that is, he will weigh 11-15 kg) and grow by 9-10 cm.

Height and weight from 4 to 5 years

The average weight of a harmoniously developed 4-year-old child, according to WHO, is about 16 kg, while a deviation of 2-3 kg up or down is considered normal. The height of a child of this age is 102-103 cm. By his fifth birthday, a preschooler will gain about 2 kg and grow by 7 cm.

Height and weight from 6 to 7 years

If you put a healthy six-year-old baby on the scale, and the screen displays a value in the range of 18-23.5 kg, then he fully complies with the standards developed by WHO. By his seventh birthday, an older preschooler (or a junior schoolchild) will become 2-3 kg heavier. According to growth standards, he will grow by about 5 cm.

Summary table with parameters from 1 to 10 years

For those parents who are worried about the development of their baby, it will be useful to familiarize yourself with the summary table of the height and weight of children, compiled according to WHO data. Here are the average height and weight values ​​for children of both sexes aged 1-10 years. The baby’s parameters do not have to correspond exactly to the values ​​​​given in the table - a deviation of 2-3 kg and a few centimeters in any direction is considered a variation of the norm.

You also need to take into account that girls grow rapidly after 10 and up to 12 years, while in boys the jump is observed at an older age - after 13 and up to 16 years. Girls gain height on average up to 19 years, and boys - up to 22 years.

Indicators for children from 11 to 18 years old

Indicators that are considered normal at the age of 11-18 years are distinguished by their wide range. This is the period of the onset of puberty, when global changes occur in the teenager’s body. Parents must prepare their growing son or daughter not only physically, but also emotionally.

It should also be borne in mind that following a diet for weight loss at this time is not recommended - a lack of necessary elements before the 18th birthday can lead to serious problems in the future.

The height and body weight standards for children are presented below.

Factors that influence growth rate and weight gain in children

Growth rate and weight gain depend on a number of factors. First of all, this is, of course, heredity. If the baby’s parents are short and have an asthenic physique, then with a high degree of probability the child’s body weight and height will be similar.

Also, factors affecting weight and height in children include the following:

1. sleep and rest schedule (it is required that the total daily sleep duration corresponds to age);
2. active or passive lifestyle – for active children, weight and height differ in their proportionality;
3. diet - for harmonious development it must include all the necessary vitamins, micro and macroelements, and be varied;
4. diseases of infectious origin that the child suffered;
5. the presence of genetic pathologies;
6. features of the course of pregnancy in the mother;
7. features of the delivery process.

Deviations from the norm

Significant underweight or, on the contrary, overweight, as well as too slow/very intensive growth is a consequence of the influence of various factors. To identify the causes of serious deviations, you will need to seek advice from specialists - a geneticist, endocrinologist, neurologist or gastroenterologist.

Depending on the individual characteristics of the body, weight correction can be done by making changes in diet and lifestyle; it is much more difficult to influence the child’s growth when abnormalities are identified.

This calculator estimates the weight and height of a child according to his age, accurate to the day. Unlike, this calculator gives a comprehensive assessment of weight in strict accordance with the height and age of the child.

Value ranges, methods and recommendations are based on teaching materials, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which has conducted extensive research on the development of healthy children of different nationalities and geographical areas.

Please remember that our calculator generates results solely based on the data you provided. If you made measurements with a large error, the result will be inaccurate. This is especially true for measuring height (or body length).

If our calculator shows you the presence of any problem, then do not rush to panic: measure your height again, and have two measurements taken different people in turn and independently of each other.

Height or body length

In children under two years of age, it is customary to measure body length in a lying position, and from two years of age, height is measured, respectively, in a standing position. The difference between height and body length can be up to 1 cm, which may affect the results of the assessment. Therefore, if for a child under 2 years old you indicate height instead of body length (or vice versa), then the value will automatically be converted to that required for correct calculation.

What is the height (body length)

Growth is the most important indicator that should be monitored monthly (see). Receiving ratings of “short” and “very short” may be a consequence of prematurity, illness, or developmental delay.

Large height is rarely a problem, but a rating of "extremely tall" may indicate the presence of an endocrine disorder: this suspicion should also arise if very tall child both parents are of normal average height.

Extremely short Significant growth retardation. It can also lead to excess weight. The participation of a specialist is necessary to identify and eliminate the cause of the lag. short Growth retardation. It can also lead to excess weight. Specialist consultation is required. Below average A short child, height within normal limits. Average This is the height of most healthy children. Above average Tall kid, growth within normal limits. High Such large growth is not common, but it does not indicate the presence of any problems, so it is considered normal. Usually this growth is hereditary. Very high (excessively high?) Excessive height in a child is usually hereditary and is not a problem in itself. However, in some cases such growth may be a sign endocrine disease. Therefore, rule out the possibility of an endocrine disorder by consulting a specialist. Height does not correspond to age You probably made a mistake when indicating the child's height or age.
If the baby’s growth is really the same as you indicated, then there is a significant deviation from the norm, which deserves special attention from an experienced specialist.

How does weight correspond to height?

The ratio of height and weight gives the most meaningful idea of ​​the harmonious development of a child; it is expressed as a number and is called the Body Mass Index, or BMI for short. This value is used to objectively determine weight-related problems, if any. And if there are none, then they make sure that the BMI is normal.

note that normal values Body mass index for children is radically different from those for adults and very much depends on the age of the child (see). Naturally, our calculator estimates BMI in strict accordance with the child’s age.

Extreme wasting, severe underweight Severe body weight deficiency. Severe exhaustion. Nutritional correction and treatment as prescribed by a doctor are necessary. Wasting, underweight Body weight deficiency. Underweight for the specified height. It is recommended to adjust your diet as prescribed by your doctor. Reduced weight Weight is within normal limits. The child is less well-fed than most of his peers. Norm Ideal weight to height ratio. Increased weight (risk of being overweight) The child's weight is normal, but there is a risk of gaining excess weight.
In this case, it is recommended to pay attention to the weight of the child’s parents, because Having obese parents significantly increases the risk of a child gaining excess weight.
In particular, if one of the parents is obese, then with a 40% chance the child will gain excess weight. If both parents are obese, the likelihood of the child becoming overweight increases to 70%. Overweight It is recommended to adjust your diet as prescribed by your doctor. Obesity Nutritional correction and treatment as prescribed by a doctor are necessary. Obesity: Nutritional correction is necessary as prescribed by a doctor. Not assessable You may have made a mistake when specifying the child's height, weight or age.
If all the data is correct, then there is a significant deviation from the norm, which requires special attention from an experienced doctor.

What is the weight

A simple weight estimate (based on age) usually gives only a superficial idea of ​​a child's developmental pattern. However, receiving ratings of “Low weight” or “Extremely low weight” is a good reason to consult a specialist (see). The full list of possible weight ratings is below:

Severely underweight, extremely low weight Underweight, low weight The child is likely malnourished or has developmental delays. It is necessary to consult a specialist. Less than average Weight is below average, but within the normal range for the specified age. Average This weight is typical for most healthy children. Above average In this case, compliance with the norm should be assessed by body mass index (BMI). Very big In this case, weight is assessed using body mass index (BMI). Weight is not appropriate for age You probably made a mistake when indicating the child's weight or age.
If all the data is correct, then the baby may have problems with development, weight or height. See height and BMI estimates for details. And be sure to consult an experienced specialist.

A plump and well-fed baby is a kind of standard, so the lack of “roundness” of the baby’s shape plunges the mother into panic. There can be many reasons for being “thin”. Some of them are harmless, others require attention. First, make sure there really is a problem. Average tables of weight gain in breastfed newborns by month will come to the rescue. Their data is advisory and indicative. They help you understand whether you should start worrying.

Despite the fact that there are normative tables, during routine examinations the pediatrician takes into account not only weight gain, but also other indicators - skin color and condition, activity, level of development according to age, test results.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed average norms for weight gain in newborns, which are based on long-term observations of children, first on IV, then on breastfeeding.

Such tables make it possible to determine how well a child corresponds to general trends. But you cannot rely completely on them, since each baby grows at its own pace.

Up to a year

The normal weight of newborn babies is from 2.5 to 4 kg. If it is larger or smaller, the child is called small or large, respectively. The average monthly weight gain rates for infants are as follows.

The baby recovers most actively from 2 weeks to 3 months. At this time, he has the right to gain from 500 g to 2 kg per month. Over three months, the total weight gain ranges from 1.5 to 6 kilograms.

Children on breastfeeding often recover a little slower than their artificial counterparts. This is not a cause for concern if the baby is otherwise well and the weight gain is not below the WHO minimum norm. A child’s weight at 4 months increases by 400-500 g, and this level is maintained at 5 months. By six months, over the entire life of the baby, the total increase is usually at least 3-3.5 kg.

After about six months, there is a tendency for increases to decrease. Gradually growing up, the child gains less and less every month - from 400 grams at the beginning of the second half of the year to 200 grams per month by the year.

According to the observations of pediatricians, large babies gain weight more rapidly than children with average or small weight. Genetics is responsible for the “correction” of the baby -

If everyone in the family is thin, and the baby is gaining weight closer to the lower limit of the norm, you should not worry that there is something missing in the milk and the child is not getting enough to eat.

You can use a special baby weight table:

It is believed that by six months the baby should gain the same amount as he weighed at birth - that is, double his weight. However, this is not a prerequisite, but only a guideline.

In the first few days of their new life, all babies lose a little weight. This is due to many reasons, for example, loss of excess fluid, passage of meconium. You can reduce physiological weight loss by making sure that the baby regularly receives colostrum - it begins to be produced during pregnancy, and in the first few days, until the milk comes in, it is necessary to put the baby to the breast so that he learns to suck and is saturated with colostrum.

The baby does not starve - with frequent breastfeeding, colostrum is enough to maintain a feeling of fullness, but not to create fat reserves. This role will be assigned to the milk, which will appear in a few days. Physiological weight loss should not exceed 8-10% of birth weight. If the weight drops more strongly, you should consult a doctor: you may need to supplement with expressed milk or formula.

After a year

Weight gain after the child turns one year old becomes less intense, since he is much more active than before. Monitoring weight dynamics is no longer required as closely as in infancy - it no longer serves as the main indicator of normal development and is measured approximately once a year. More attention is paid to the harmony of development - the height-weight ratio is monitored.

This information can be presented in table form as follows.

These numbers are the upper and lower limits of the average norm. Weight above or below these figures is considered high or low, respectively, and requires the attention of parents and a doctor.

Should you always worry if your weight is higher or lower?

In Western pediatrics, very little attention is paid to the issue of weight standards. They believe that the main indicator is the well-being and normal development of the child, corresponding to his age. Underweight is attributed to individual characteristics, and additional examinations are carried out more likely in connection with the problem of obesity, rather than underweight.

When breastfeeding, weight gain in a baby is an individual phenomenon. Therefore, small deviations from the average norm should not frighten parents if the child feels well and develops normally. The weight of a baby is often determined not only and not so much by the quantity and quality of feeding, but also by genetic predisposition. In families prone to excess weight, children grow up plump, and in thin parents, the child may gain weight at the lower limit of the norm; weight gain in children under one year of age is only an approximate guideline for the doctor.

Dr. Komarovsky is confident that the child should be relatively thin (if thinness is not associated with diseases) and active, and warns parents against overfeeding. Therefore, the mother does not need to try to adjust the baby to general standards and force him to eat more. But it is imperative to take measures to ensure that the baby receives enough nutrition - for this you need to properly organize breastfeeding or mixed feeding if for some reason there is not enough milk and its quantity cannot be increased.

Big increase

Excessive weight gain in infants is fraught with the problem of obesity. Overweight harms overall well-being and performance internal organs. If a child gains excessive weight while breastfeeding, this is a reason to contact an endocrinologist in order to promptly detect the cause of excess weight. In most cases, an increase above the norm (remember, more than 2 kilograms per month in the first 3 months of the baby’s life) is not associated with overfeeding and has other reasons.

There is no need to limit the child’s breastfeeding, because for a breastfeeding baby they also have a psychological aspect - this is contact with the mother, practically his “safe haven”, where it is warm, cozy and safe. Studies conducted by WHO show that overfeeding a baby with breast milk is unlikely to work.

In formula-fed children, excessive weight gain is associated with a large volume of formula or improper preparation, which makes it too nutritious. Since the child does not need to make much effort to “get” it, he easily eats more than he needs, starting to gain weight. In this case, you need to focus on an accurate calculation: how much formula per day does a baby of this weight need at this age. It is not advisable to feed formula on demand - unlike breast milk, overfeeding with formula is quite possible.

If the baby's weight gain is higher than normal, the mother should adjust her feeding regimen or consult a pediatrician about the amount of formula. Consultation with an endocrinologist will also be useful.

Weight deficiency

There are many reasons why a baby may not gain weight well while breastfed. It is important to identify it correctly, because this is the only way to effectively solve the problem.

If your baby is not gaining weight or gaining little weight, pay attention to the following.

1. Technique for applying to the breast.

It is important to resolve this issue literally from the very first days, because incorrect attachment is fraught with trouble for both mother and child. If your baby doesn't latch on properly, it will be difficult for him to suck milk out effectively. The breast is designed in such a way that milk can only be extracted from it using a certain sucking technique. Correct latching ensures this technique, and the milk literally pours into the baby’s mouth, the breasts are well emptied, and the baby receives a lot of milk in one latching.

If the attachment is incorrect, this does not happen, even if the baby is at the breast long time. In addition, when the attachment is incorrect, it hurts the mother during feeding, and cracks, abrasions, and abrasions may appear on the skin of the nipple. Pain during feeding is a sign that you need to pay special attention to breastfeeding.

In addition, if the attachment is incorrect, the baby will swallow air during feeding. Air takes up space in the stomach and prevents the baby from eating the right amount of milk. The air provokes excessive regurgitation, thereby reducing the amount eaten.

In most cases, latching is easy to correct, but there are situations when this is not enough: when some of the baby’s characteristics prevent him from sucking properly at the breast. Such features may be a short frenulum of the tongue - fortunately, it can be trimmed. Osteopathic problems can prevent the baby from extracting milk from the breast - the consequences of too fast or too slow labor, an unsuccessful intrauterine position. In this case, a visit to an osteopath will make life much easier for both the baby and the mother. And then you need to work on improving your application.

If the baby sucks ineffectively, and this cannot be quickly corrected, it is necessary to supplement the baby with expressed milk or formula. A lactation consultant or a pediatrician competent in feeding management can help organize supplementary feeding and calculate its amount.

2. Diseases.

Illness in an infant can often be accompanied by some weight loss, especially if during illness he refuses to breastfeed and eats less. If, due to illness, it becomes difficult for the baby to suck, it is worth feeding him with expressed milk along with breastfeeding.

To determine the cause of the shortage, you need to notice and associated symptoms. For example, due to frequent regurgitation, colic and loose stool that accompany weight loss, one may suspect problems with gastrointestinal tract. In this case, medical advice and assistance will be required. As a rule, in most situations, breastfeeding can be maintained.

3. Feeding mode.

The first recommendation for underweight is usually to increase the number of applications. You especially need to make sure that the baby actually eats and doesn’t get lazy and fall asleep on the chest without eating. In such a situation, feeding around dreams will help: it is advisable to feed the baby every time he wakes up, and at the end of each wakefulness. Also, with weak weight gain, it is imperative to maintain night feedings. The baby's dreams should not be too long. Remember that the baby can easily sleep hungry, so in a situation with low weight gain, the newborn needs to be woken up and fed as required. It is advisable that no more than 2-2.5 hours pass during the day from the end of one feeding to the beginning of another. But you can and should feed more often.

Frequent regurgitation without additional symptoms will tell the mother that some of the milk simply does not get into the baby’s stomach, so he is not gaining much weight. In this case, you should try to feed him more often, but in small portions, and be sure to wear him in a column after eating so that excess air can escape. And the problem of swallowing air is directly related to. A small amount of burping after each breastfeeding is normal for babies, but if you experience a lot of regurgitation along with low weight gain, this is a reason to consult a doctor.

4. Hereditary factor.

A thin child in a family of slender and thin people should not cause concern - most likely, this is a hereditary trait and there is no need to try to “fatten” him if he gains weight within the WHO norm.

However, if, according to the norm tables, the baby has very low weight, despite the fact that feeding is organized correctly and the baby receives enough nutrition, you need to consult a doctor to find out the reason why the baby cannot gain weight in accordance with the norm.

Little secrets

Changes in a newborn's weight are an important factor that still needs to be monitored. Of course, you should not try to fit it to the standards of the table, but you cannot completely ignore this indicator. If the baby is underweight or overweight, parents should purchase home scales and weigh the child themselves at least once a week.

The main thing that a mother should remember is that there is no need to immediately try to supplement the baby with formula if the deviation from the norm is not too great. It may occur to you that milk is “empty,” but milk cannot be empty, since its composition is ideally adjusted to the needs of the child.

If the baby does not get enough of it, there may be errors in the organization of feeding, due to which the baby receives less milk, and lactation decreases due to lack of breast stimulation. In this case, you need to make efforts to normalize lactation, and not switch to formula. But in a situation where the baby has gained significantly less weight

norms, there is no point in delaying supplementary feeding. The introduction of supplementary feeding will help to quickly compensate for weight deficiency, at the same time, measures to establish breastfeeding will help increase the amount of milk, and gradually supplementary feeding can be reduced or abandoned completely.

How to weigh a baby

To track your baby's weight dynamics at home, it is best to weigh him once a week at the same time of day. It is advisable to weigh the baby in a good mood, so that he lies on the scale calmly for a few seconds, and the scale readings are as accurate as possible.

To find out whether your baby has gained normally in a week, you need to multiply the resulting difference in weight by 4. For example, if your baby has gained 150 grams in a week, then when multiplied by 4, the result is 600 grams in a month. For babies under 3 months, this increase is considered below average, but falls within the normal range. Well, if the baby gains 200 grams per week, then in a month it turns out to be 800. It is advisable to monitor how the baby’s weight progresses while work is underway to increase the amount of milk.

As for control weighing, in which it is supposed to determine how much the child ate at one feeding, then special meaning not in this dimension. The fact is that the norms for one feeding are often calculated based on the fact that the baby eats 6-8 times a day. But such feeding rhythms are more likely to be characteristic of artificial babies, and not of infants. Infants can latch on to the breast 12-18 times, in some cases even more often, which means that the portion per feeding will be half as much, and the baby eats different amounts of milk at different feedings.

Wet diaper test

A wet diaper test is often used to assess the amount of milk a baby is getting. To do this, you need to give up disposable diapers for a day and replace them with regular cloth ones, putting them aside after each wetness. By counting the number of wet diapers at the end of the day, you can determine whether your baby is getting enough milk.

• from birth to 2 weeks. The normal number of wet diapers can be calculated using the formula: child’s age in days plus 1;
• up to 6 months - at least 12-14 wet diapers;

If you are uncomfortable giving up disposable diapers, and you need to count the number of urinations, you can put a gauze pad in the diaper and check if it is wet once every hour and a half. You can't tell from a disposable diaper if your baby peed there once, and a wet gauze lining won't let you make a mistake. This way you can accurately calculate how many times your baby peed per day.

Please note: if you supplement your baby with water, you need to take this into account when counting urinations. A baby who receives a lot of water can pee many times a day, but at the same time gain weight poorly - after all, water does not help the baby gain weight.

Boys and girls: is there a difference in increase

Of course, boys and girls gain weight differently. In infancy, boys almost always outstrip girls in both height and weight, which is why tables with standards provide different graphs for both.

In order to find out how much a girl should weigh, you need to find exactly the “girl’s” chart so as not to panic and try to fatten her up to boy standards. WHO specifically issues standards for boys and girls separately.

Of course, here everything is very individual - there are large girls and fragile boys, the constitution, as already mentioned, often depends on genetics. Therefore, you don’t need to look up to your neighbors and playmates. Each baby has its own, individual development program, and parents only need to create conditions to ensure that the baby receives enough nutrition and make sure that weight gain fits into age norms for his gender.

Due to the individual characteristics of the body and the course of pregnancy, children are born with different body weights. After childbirth, it is necessary to monitor the baby’s weight gain month by month - this will help to promptly identify possible deviations in the baby’s development. Parents are recommended to fill out the weight calendar monthly and also know the nuances of calculation, probable reasons underweight or overweight of the child.

Monitor your baby's weight regularly to identify any abnormalities in advance.

Normal baby weight at birth

WHO studies indicate that normal birth weight for healthy children ranges from 2.7 kg to 4 kg.

If this figure exceeds the norm by more than 2 kilograms, you should undergo a detailed examination, since the risk of allergies and diabetes increases.

Premature babies often weigh less than 2.5 kilograms after birth.

Let's look at the indicators for newborns established by WHO:

You should know that boys and girls will have different body weights

In addition, WHO identifies the main reasons that influence the initial weight of newborns. These include:

1. Gender of the child. Boys have more high rate body weight.
2. Heredity. The taller and larger the expectant mother, the greater the chance of having a large baby.
3. The condition of a woman while carrying a baby. Frequent stress, the presence of chronic diseases and poor nutrition often negatively affect the body size and health of the newborn.
4. Bad habits. The use of tobacco, drugs and alcohol increases the risk of having an unhealthy, underweight baby.

Norm of weight gain in infants by month

During the initial examination of a newborn, a neonatologist measures the ratio of his weight and height. Re-weighing occurs on the day of discharge - this value will be 5-10% less than the original one. This decrease is caused by the loss of fluid, the transition to a different method of nutrition and the reaction of the small body to changes environment. It is the value obtained upon discharge that is taken as the basis for further calculation of the baby’s weight gain.

In the first month, the average weight gain is 600 g, in the 2nd–3rd month the figure increases to 800 g. Subsequently, the dynamics of weight gain decreases by approximately 50 g monthly. By the age of one year, the child should weigh approximately 3 times more than on the day he was born.

Let's make a visual table of weight gain from 1 month of life to one year in children of both sexes:

The following factors influence the increase in volume:

1. Method of feeding. Breastfed babies gain pounds more slowly than formula-fed babies.
2. Baby activity. Sedentary children recover faster.
3. Meal time. Eating on a set schedule leads to slower weight gain, unlike feeding at the baby's request.
4. Age. In the first months of life, children gain weight faster.

Don't panic if your baby is a little overweight; this is normal if feedings are frequent.

How to calculate parameters?

You can estimate the weight of a baby after birth using the Quetelet index. To do this, you need to divide the newborn’s body weight by its height. If the resulting number fluctuates between 60–70, this indicates an acceptable indicator. If the calculated figure is less than 60, the baby is underweight; if the figure is over 70, an overweight is diagnosed.

Calculation of weight up to six months is carried out according to the formula: V=m+800*n, where V is the weight indicator, m is the weight of the baby before discharge, n is the age of the newborn. Parameters for children older than six months are calculated as follows: V=m+p+400*n, where p is the general indicator of the increase in volume over the first six months.

Reasons for deviations from the norm

Weight gain above normal levels in children under one year of age most often occurs as a result of a hereditary factor, overeating or decreased activity.

In case of excessive weight gain in an infant, pediatrician Komarovsky advises:

• undergo examination by an endocrinologist;
• change the mother's diet;
• eliminate or reduce feeding volumes at night;
• start complementary feeding with vegetables.

According to the doctor, underweight in most cases is caused by:

• unbalanced mother's diet, which negatively affects the quality and fat content of breast milk;
• introducing complementary foods ahead of schedule;
• simultaneous gestation of several fruits;
• reception medicines during lactation;
• stressful situations for the baby associated with illnesses nervous system and internal organs.

If there is a shortage of mother's milk, complementary feeding should be introduced with formulas, and after reaching six months, complementary feeding with cereals should be started. Komarovsky also notes that the most important thing to pay attention to is not the weight gain chart, but the sharp change in the child’s activity - behavior that is unusual for a baby may indicate problems in the body’s functioning.

Pay attention to the baby's active actions and their subsidence, this can tell more about the condition than just weight

Deviations from the given norm may indicate active metabolic processes in the newborn’s body and excessive mobility, which contributes to the rapid burning of calories. In this case, deviation from the established indicators is an individual feature and does not indicate a negative impact on the baby’s body.

In order for the child to gain weight correctly, parents must regularly monitor the intake of the necessary beneficial microorganisms into the newborn’s body along with mother’s milk, formula or complementary foods. If a noticeable increase or decrease in volumes is accompanied by a deterioration in the child’s well-being, get examined by, and.

Greetings, dear readers! All parents strive for their children to grow up healthy and develop normally. But how can you tell if everything is okay with your baby? Doctors recommend focusing on such important indicators as the child’s weight and height by month. Compliance with the standards proposed by WHO on the basis of research, doctors determine the degree of full term of the baby and the quality of its further development.

Where do the norms come from?

World Health Organization, or WHO in the period 1997-2003. conducted a number of studies on the development of children under one year old, as well as a parallel analysis of the height and weight of children aged 1.5 to 6 years. The focus of the world organization was not only on indicators, but also on their ratios and monthly increases.

Why was such a global study needed? The latest data on indicators of physical development of children were recorded back in the 70s. 20th century. Since then, not only the rhythm and lifestyle of people has changed, but also the nature of infant feeding.

If during the Soviet period most babies were on artificial feeding, then with the improvement of working conditions for breastfeeding women and the opportunity to receive paid leave after childbirth for 1.5 years, it has led to the fact that now more and more babies are breastfed, which is otherwise reflected in the increase in weight and body length.

Data collection was carried out in different countries and ethnic groups: European countries, the USA, India, Brazil, Oman, etc. The study showed that each nation has its own parameters, therefore, to derive the average value of length and weight, for example, for European and Indian children, it is forbidden.

What do the values ​​depend on?

Mothers who have at least once had a monthly check-up with their babies at the clinic know that the nurse not only measures and records indicators, but also pays attention to associated development factors:

• past viral and infectious diseases;
• presence of dehydration;
• teething;
• presence of appetite;
• conditions of education.

They have a temporary effect on physical development, which can be adjusted in the future.

However, there are other factors that the mother or doctors cannot or can hardly influence:

• gender of the child;
• genetic features (if dad and mom are tall, the baby will also be tall);
• degree of term, as well as initial height and weight at birth;
• nature of nutrition (natural or artificial);
• presence of congenital diseases;
• mobility;
• environmental situation;
• the nature of the pregnancy (did the mother smoke, drink alcohol, etc.);
• the amount of somatotropic hormone produced, which is responsible for growth tubular bones(since most of the hormone is released at night, sleep disturbances in a child can cause growth retardation).

Good care, regular breastfeeding, adequate sleep, physical activity and outdoor exercise speed up children's growth. In turn, insufficient care and poor environmental conditions do not in the best possible way affect physical development.

To check whether your baby is developing normally, you do not have to rush to the clinic. Parents can take measurements themselves, based on generally accepted development standards and calculation formulas.

Child growth by months

Child growth standards depend, first of all, on the child’s gender, so WHO has created separate tables with average indicators for girls and boys. Depending on the age of the baby, the ratio of length and weight of the body, as well as the increase, will also differ.

First year

The table shows approximate growth indicators for babies at birth and up to one year; you can also track how many centimeters the child will grow within a month.

Children under one year old are characterized by a special change in indicators, and every month of life during this period is significant. But before taking measurements and counting, you should make sure that your baby meets the indicators of a full-term baby:

• The birth took place at 38-40 weeks of pregnancy.
• Height is at least 45 cm with a weight of 2.5 kg.
• Head circumference – from 34 to 36 cm.
• Body parts are proportional.
• The skin is smooth and delicate.
• Hair length from 1 cm.
• Clear rhythmic pulse.
• Developed sucking reflex (you can read in my article).

If a baby was born prematurely, there are separate height and weight indicators for him depending on what week of pregnancy he was born. Here is a table of the height and weight of a premature baby:

Features of growth increase in the first year of life are as follows:

• On average, the baby gains 3 cm over a monthly period.
• The total increase in the first year of life should be at least 25 cm. Thus, the normal figure for a one-year-old baby is from 74 to 76 cm.
• Children grow more rapidly in the first months after birth, after which this process slows down. So, in the first 3 months the increase will be 3.5 cm per month, from 3 to six months - 3-2.5 cm, from 7 to 9 - about 1.5 cm, from 9 to one year - 1 cm.
• It is not only the overall increase in height that is important, but also its relationship to the weight and proportionality of body parts.

For doctors, the indicator of normal development of a baby is not so much its height as its head circumference. If the head is large and disproportionate to the body, doctors may suspect a disease such as hydrocephalus, an accumulation of fluid in the brain.

From 2 to 17 years

When a baby turns one year old, parents, as a rule, pay little attention to how much his growth is within normal limits. However, before the onset of puberty, this indicator is no less important than in the first months of life.

After a year, children's growth begins to slow down. Up to 2 years of age, the baby grows by an average of 9-12 cm, depending on gender and other factors. Until the age of 5 years, his height will increase by only 20-22 cm.

By the age of 10, the average height of a boy is 138-139 cm. From 11 to 17 years, during puberty, the growth of girls slows down, and in boys, on the contrary, it increases after 12-13 years. By the age of 17, the average for a girl will be 155-160 cm, for a boy - 166-171 cm.

How to determine a child's height?

To determine how tall your baby is under one year old, you will need a measuring tape or meter ruler:

1. Place the baby on the crib so that the back of his head rests on a hard surface.
2. Extend your legs and place your feet at a 90-degree angle.
3. Mark where the heels end.
4. Raise the child and measure the distance from the mark to a hard surface.

If the child can already stand, to measure his height, place him near the wall so that his heels touch a hard surface. Then take a hard ruler and place it on the child's head so that it forms a right angle with the wall. Make a mark where they touch and measure the distance from the floor to the mark.

After measuring your child's height, be sure to pay attention to his weight.

Baby's weight by month

WHO strongly recommends that parents pay attention not only to the height and proportionality of body parts, but also to weight gain. Many parents believe that the more a baby weighs before one year, the better. But this statement is fundamentally wrong. Unhealthy obesity can affect both teenagers and infants, especially those who are formula-fed.

Up to a year

For children under one year old, the weight norm is determined by month, and it should be taken into account that bottle-fed children gain weight much faster:

• 1 month. During this time, the child gains on average about 0.6 kg. To maintain normal indicators Development is ideal if the mother feeds the baby every 3 hours. The volume of mixture consumed ranges from 80 to 120 ml per feeding.
• 2 month. During this period, the increase will be about 0.7-0.8 kg. The intervals between feedings can be increased to 3.5 hours. If in the future you decide to wean your baby from feeding at night, keep in mind that his weight will begin to decrease.
• 3 month. An increase of 0.8 kg is maintained. The intervals between feedings remain, but it is worth considering that up to 3 months the baby is bothered by intestinal colic, so appetite may decrease.
• 4 month. The child gains an average of 0.75 kg, and further indicators will decrease.
• 5 month. By the end of the fifth month, the baby already weighs 0.7 kg more.
• 6 month. In six months, Baby gains 0.65 kg. During this period, complementary foods in the form of vegetable purees begin to be introduced, which can replace one feeding.
• 7 month. Body weight increases by 0.6 kg. At seven months of age, babies can be given gluten-free porridge in the morning.
• 8 months. Weight gain is about 0.55 kg. The baby's menu includes a variety of vegetables, lean meat, cereals, and egg yolk.
• 9 months. The weight gain is half a kilogram. Purees from several components and fermented milk products appear on the menu.
• 10 months. The baby weighs 0.4 kg more than last month. He already tolerates fresh fruit well. You can add butter or vegetable oil to porridge.
• 11 months. Weight increases by 0.4 kg. You can include low-fat fish in the menu.
• 12 months. The weight increase occurs by 0.35-0.4 kg.

The following chart will help you determine if your baby is developing normally:

• For the first half of the year. Multiply 800 by the number of months for the calculation period and add the weight of the baby at the time of birth.
• In the second half of the year. M+800×6+400x(N-6), where M is the birth weight, N is the number of months.

After a year

In the future, not only the indicators prescribed by WHO will be important for girls and boys, but also the body mass index, which shows whether the weight is insufficient, normal or excessive. To determine your mass index, you need to divide your body weight by your height.

For boys and girls, the range of permissible body weight may differ, but on average the indicators are summarized in the following table:

Based on the indicators proposed by WHO, one must take into account that they are averaged, and minor fluctuations in one direction or another are acceptable. Parents need to sound the alarm if weight values ​​are significantly underestimated or overestimated.

At low rates It is recommended to review your diet and daily activity. For example, if until the age of 5 the baby steadily gained weight, and by the age of 6 he began to lose weight sharply, the changes may be associated with preparation for school and stressful condition, disruption of the usual daily routine.

For infants up to one year old, vomiting can be a dangerous phenomenon, leading to dehydration. The problem may arise due to improper nutrition, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and nervous system. In this case, you should definitely see a doctor.

IN adolescence Boys, as a rule, have pronounced thinness associated with intensive growth. Girls should eat more plant foods, since during the period of hormonal maturation there is a high probability of becoming obese.

Deviations from normal body weight at any age in a child should be a signal for parents that it is time to sound the alarm and seek help from doctors if you cannot help the baby on your own.