Height and weight once a year
What it is
Plotting growth yearly shows the trend, which matters far more than any single measurement.
Always on
- Ask to see the curve rather than the number, and ask whether the child is following their own line.
- Never discuss the number in front of the child, and never comment on their body.
- If the topic is weight, change what the family does — meals, sleep, activity — not what the child eats alone.
When to check with a professional
Crossing centile lines up or down, or a child who stops growing in height, is worth asking the doctor about — it is a question about the curve, not about the child.
Related
Sources
- WHO Child Growth Standards — World Health Organization
- Bright Futures periodicity schedule — American Academy of Pediatrics
Compiled with AI assistance from the public sources listed above. Not yet reviewed by a clinician — check anything important against the source, with Tipat Halav or with your doctor.