Don't panic if your baby's percentile isn't 50 or higher! Growth charts are just a tool to track your child's growth pattern over time - being in the 10th percentile is NOT the same as "failing." What matters is that your baby is growing consistently along their own curve. Every healthy baby can be anywhere from the 3rd to 97th percentile.
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What is a growth chart?
A growth chart compares your baby's measurements with thousands of other healthy babies of the same age and gender.
What do percentiles mean?
If your baby is at the 50th percentile for weight:
If your baby is at the 25th percentile for weight:
Key insight: A baby consistently at the 10th percentile is usually healthier than a baby who dropped from 75th to 40th percentile.
| Measurement | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| **Weight (Wazan)** | Reflects nutrition and overall health |
| **Length/Height (Lambai)** | Reflects bone growth, genetic potential |
| **Head Circumference (Sir ka ghera)** | Reflects brain growth (critical in first 2 years) |
Different charts exist:
| Age | Normal Weight Gain | Normal Length/Height Gain |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 months | 150-200 grams/week | 2.5-3 cm/month |
| 3-6 months | 100-150 grams/week | 2 cm/month |
| 6-12 months | 70-90 grams/week | 1.5 cm/month |
| 1-2 years | 150-200 grams/month | 10-12 cm/year |
| 2-5 years | 1.5-2 kg/year | 6-8 cm/year |
Important: These are averages. Your baby may gain more in some weeks, less in others!
Contact your pediatrician if:
NOT causes for concern:
Feeding (Khilana-Pilana):
Sleep (Neend):
Activity:
How to weigh baby:
Apps for tracking:
Scenario 1: Baby at 25th percentile from birth, staying at 25th
Scenario 2: Baby dropping from 75th to 40th percentile over 3 months
Scenario 3: Baby born at 50th, now at 60th percentile
Scenario 4: Preemie baby below charts
A: 25th percentile is COMPLETELY NORMAL! It just means 25% of babies weigh less and 75% weigh more. If your baby is healthy, feeding well, active, and meeting milestones, there's no need to worry. Not every baby needs to be "mota" - a healthy baby at 25th percentile is better than an overfed baby at 75th percentile!
A: First, understand if it's really a problem. Questions to ask: Is baby dropping percentiles or always been at this level? Is baby feeding well? Is baby active and meeting milestones? If there's genuine concern, doctor may suggest: more frequent feeds, higher calorie foods (after 6 months), checking for any underlying issues. Don't panic - most "low weight" babies are just smaller, healthy babies.
A: Growth hormone is released during deep sleep, so adequate sleep IS important for growth. However, frequent night waking for feeding in young babies (under 6 months) is normal and actually supports growth through calories! If an older baby has severely disrupted sleep, it's worth addressing - but for other reasons too, not just growth. Most babies who wake at night grow perfectly fine.
A: Genetics plays a major role in height! A baby born to shorter parents is likely to be smaller - this is normal and healthy. Don't compare with other babies. Use growth charts to track YOUR baby's pattern. As long as baby is growing consistently along their own curve, size doesn't matter.
A: Growth monitoring is most critical in first 2-3 years when brain and body are growing rapidly. After that, annual checkups are usually sufficient unless there's a concern. Your pediatrician will continue tracking until age 18-20 to ensure your child reaches their height potential.
A: Don't stress about online calculators! They can be inaccurate if wrong chart is used. Always discuss with your pediatrician who will use appropriate charts (WHO or IAP for Indian children), take multiple measurements over time, and consider your baby's overall health - not just one number.
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This article was reviewed by a pediatrician. Last updated: January 2025
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