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Tracking Your Child’s Growth: What to Expect at Each Age

Tracking Your Child’s Growth: What to Expect at Each Age

At All Better Pediatrics, Dr. Susan Welch guides parents through tracking their child’s growth and development at every stage. She provides insights on key milestones to expect at each age, helping ensure your child’s health and well being are on the right path. With personalized care and thorough assessments, Dr. Welch supports families in fostering healthy growth throughout childhood. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 1102 Brookfield Road, Suite 200 Memphis, TN 38119.

Tracking Your Child's Growth: What to Expect at Each Age - All Better Pediatrics in Memphis, TN,
Tracking Your Child's Growth: What to Expect at Each Age - All Better Pediatrics in Memphis, TN,

Table of Contents:

How do I know if my child is growing normally?
Can my child’s diet affect their growth?
How often should I measure my child’s height and weight?
When should I be concerned about my child’s growth?

How do I know if my child is growing normally?


Determining if your child is growing normally is an essential part of pediatric care at All Better Pediatrics. At our practice, our experienced pediatricians closely monitor your child’s growth through regular assessments of height, weight, and head circumference (particularly for infants) and use standardized pediatric growth charts to track progress over time.

These growth charts provide benchmarks that compare your child’s measurements to those of peers of the same age and sex, helping our pediatricians ensure your child is following a healthy growth pattern. A consistent growth trajectory within the same percentile typically indicates healthy development, whereas sudden changes, such as rapid jumps or drops in percentile rankings, may prompt further assessment.

We believe it’s important to look beyond just numbers. Factors such as genetics, nutrition, overall health, and developmental milestones also play a crucial role in your child’s growth. Our pediatricians consider your family growth history and parental height, recognizing that some children naturally grow at different rates due to hereditary influences.

Regular well-child visits are essential for monitoring your child’s overall growth and development. During these routine appointments, our compassionate pediatricians will perform thorough physical examinations, track growth parameters, and discuss your child’s developmental progress. If you notice your child growing significantly slower or faster than peers, experiencing sudden changes in growth patterns, or showing delays in developmental milestones (like speech, motor skills, or cognitive abilities), don’t hesitate to discuss these concerns during your visit.

Can my child’s diet affect their growth?


At All Better Pediatrics, we understand that your child’s diet plays a crucial role in their growth, health, and overall development. Proper nutrition provides the essential building blocks necessary for your child to achieve optimal growth milestones, maintain strong bones and muscles, support healthy brain development, and strengthen their immunity.

Ensuring a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, lean proteins, and healthy fats helps your child thrive physically, cognitively, and emotionally. Nutrients such as protein, calcium, vitamin D, and healthy fats are especially important for pediatric growth and development.

On the other hand, poor nutritional habits or diets lacking essential nutrients can negatively impact your child’s growth, lead to developmental delays, compromise their immune system, and affect cognitive function. Our dedicated pediatricians are here to support you in establishing healthy eating habits from early childhood, setting your child up for a lifetime of wellness.

If you have any concerns or questions about your child’s diet, nutrition, or growth patterns, please don’t hesitate to contact our team. Our experienced pediatricians and staff can provide tailored advice and personalized guidance to help your child achieve their full growth and developmental potential.

How often should I measure my child’s height and weight?


We understand that monitoring your child’s growth is an essential part of ensuring their overall health and well-being. Regularly tracking your child’s height and weight helps us assess their development, nutritional status, and overall health, allowing us to quickly identify and address any concerns.

During infancy and early childhood, your pediatrician at All Better Pediatrics will measure your child’s height and weight during each routine wellness visit, typically every few months throughout the first two years of life. As your child grows older, you’ll usually transition to annual wellness visits after age two or three, where we’ll continue tracking their growth and development, offering personalized guidance tailored to your child’s unique needs.

Between visits, it can be helpful to periodically measure your child’s height and weight at home—approximately every three to six months—especially if you have any questions or concerns regarding their growth. This proactive approach allows you to notice and communicate any significant changes promptly, letting our team at All Better Pediatrics address potential issues early and effectively.

For children with specific medical conditions, nutritional concerns, or developmental delays, our providers may recommend more frequent follow-ups and monitoring. We are committed to providing individualized guidance and care, supporting your child’s healthy growth every step of the way. If you ever notice unusual or sudden changes in your child’s growth pattern, please reach out to our knowledgeable team—we’re here to help your child thrive.

When should I be concerned about my child’s growth?


At All Better Pediatrics, we understand that monitoring your child’s growth is a crucial part of pediatric care and parenting. Every child is unique, and it’s normal for growth patterns to vary. However, certain signs may indicate it’s time to seek professional evaluation from our pediatric specialists.

If your child consistently measures below or above typical growth percentiles or experiences a significant change in their growth curve, scheduling a visit with us can help address potential concerns promptly. For example, slowed or halted growth over several months could indicate nutritional gaps, hormonal issues, or other underlying medical conditions. Our expert pediatricians can thoroughly assess these situations and provide personalized guidance.

Additionally, delayed milestones—such as late walking, delayed puberty, or significantly shorter height compared to peers—may signal potential developmental or medical issues that benefit from professional evaluation. Similarly, rapid or unusual weight changes, fluctuations in appetite, reduced energy levels, or other noticeable health shifts should prompt a conversation with your pediatrician.

We prioritize a comprehensive approach to your child’s health. We’ll carefully evaluate your child’s growth through detailed measurements, a thorough review of medical history, and additional tests when necessary. Our experienced pediatricians will partner with your family to determine whether reassurance, further monitoring, or targeted interventions would be most beneficial. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Memphis TN, Germantown TN, Bartlett TN, Cordova TN, Collierville TN, Oakville TN, and Lenow TN.