How Baby Growth Is Measured
Baby growth is tracked using percentile charts based on WHO (World Health Organization) growth standards. A percentile tells you how your baby compares to a reference population: a baby at the 50th percentile is exactly average; the 25th percentile means 25% of babies that age weigh less and 75% weigh more. No single percentile is “correct” — what matters is consistent growth along a similar curve over time.
What the Percentiles Mean
Any percentile between the 3rd and 97th is generally considered within the normal range. Concern arises when a baby falls below the 3rd percentile, crosses two or more percentile lines downward over several months, or shows a sudden change in growth trajectory. Your paediatrician evaluates these trends in context with family history, feeding, and development.
Factors That Affect Baby Growth
Genetics is the strongest determinant of growth — tall parents tend to have taller babies. Feeding method (breastfed vs. formula-fed), birth weight, gestational age, and overall health all influence growth patterns. Premature babies use an adjusted age (actual age minus weeks premature) for growth chart comparisons.