In conjunction with the immunization schedule, physicians will confirm the normal development of the growth charts in the Children's Health Handbook for babies during the outpatient clinic visit; and parents can also measure the head circumference, height, and weight of their babies at home and register them on the growth charts. Head circumference can be measured with a tape measure (head circumference should be measured at the widest part of the head), height can be measured with a height measuring tape, and weight can be measured with an electronic scale (once your baby can stand, you can use a normal adult scale). If you don't have any of these items at home, you can wait until the well child visit to take measurements, which the hospital will do at each well child visit follow-up as the vaccination schedule progresses.
How do I read the growth chart?Dr. Li-Yi Tsai explains that when you measure height, weight, and head circumference, you first calibrate the age from the horizontal axis, then select the values from the vertical axis, and then draw a point at the intersection of the two lines to mark it. However, it is important to note that the growth curve is a continuous record, and you can't conclude that your baby's growth and development is on track with just one measurement.
In general, babies tend to follow their own growth curves. If the change from one measurement to the next is more than two steps away from the curve (e.g., from 85% to 15%), this may be a warning sign of an abnormality that needs to be monitored and tracked.
What do the percentiles mean?If the percentile shown on the growth chart is 50%, it means that out of 100 babies of the same age, the average is about 50th, which is in the middle of the range (this value is based on previous studies). If the weight is in the 97th percentile, only 3 out of 100 babies are heavier than your baby; if the weight is in the 3rd percentile, only 3 out of 100 babies are lighter than your baby. Generally speaking, a value between the 97th percentile and the 3rd percentile is considered normal. Usually, it is only when the value is "greater than" 97th percentile or "less than" 3% that you should be concerned that your baby's growth indicators are too high or too low, and you may need to have medical intervention by a pediatrician to evaluate the growth.
If it falls between 3% and 97%, it is generally considered normal. The first thing you need to do is to compare the performance of your baby to that of other people, and you'll be able to see the difference.
The doctor taught you to read the growth charts Is the baby's weight gain suddenly slowing down?
Dr. Li-Yi Tsai pointed out that 4 months ago, the baby's growth rate was very fast, and the average increase of 1 kg in the first 2 months. 4 months later, the baby's weight gain rate tends to slow down, especially 6 to 12 months when the weight gain rate is smaller, many parents will worry about it. In fact, this is a normal growth phenomenon and parents do not need to worry. As long as the baby is still generally following its own curve, it's fine (even if it's a little off, just don't deviate more than two blocks).
What can a growth chart tell you?Weight: To put it simply, if your baby's height, weight, and head circumference are all on the low side, you may have a congenital endocrine problem. If your baby's height and head circumference are normal, and you only have a low weight, it's most likely related to your nutritional intake later in life, such as being a picky eater or having a poor appetite.
If the weight is less than 3%, it may be due to intrauterine fetal growth retardation, resulting in growth problems, and preterm babies may also be due to their own illnesses, which can easily fall in the range of less than 3%; as for babies weighing more than 97% of the body weight, it may be overfeeding, and it is important to adjust the feeding habits appropriately. If the weight falls in 3% to 97% of the growth curve, it is generally recommended that the baby's demand for breastfeeding, want to drink milk at any time you can drink; if the weight is less than 3%, may be in accordance with the condition of the mother's milk additives or the use of special milk powder; if the weight is greater than 97%, according to the doctor's advice to moderate moderation of the amount of formula milk.
Overseas studies have found that if a baby's weight is greater than 97% before the age of 1, the proportion of overweight will be more than 50% when it grows up to the age of 7; and then when it reaches adulthood, the chances of having high cholesterol and diabetes problems will also increase.
Head circumference: If the head circumference is more than 97%, the brain ultrasound can be used to determine whether there is a possibility of hydranencephaly (hydranencephaly is characterized by the head circumference getting bigger and bigger, and will also be combined with other symptoms, including a slow heartbeat, high blood pressure...etc.); head circumference is less than 3%, it may be due to the fontanelle closing prematurely, resulting in the The head circumference is less than 3%, which may be due to premature closure of the fontanelle.
Height: Before 1 year of age, height is usually measured with a high degree of error, and at this age weight and head circumference are more important indicators of growth; after 1 year of age, height is an important indicator of growth because weight gain tends to slow down. If it is less than 3%, you may need to worry about a lack of growth hormones or other chronic diseases.
4-6 month old babies are full of curiosity about the outside world, and when they start to eat food, they drink less milk and their growth rate tends to slow down, which is a normal phenomenon. The newest addition to the lineup is a new, more robust, and more efficient way of communicating with your friends and family, and it's a great way for them to share their knowledge and experience with each other.
Cai Liyi Education: Yang Ming University School of Medicine, Master of Public **** Institute of Health, National Taiwan University Experience: Director of Neonatology, Min Sheng Hospital, Research Physician, Neonatology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Residency in the Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital Currently: Attending Physician, Department of Pediatrics, Shin Kong Wu Huo Lion Memorial Hospital