Growth, nutrition and development
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Children grow and develop at their own pace. A growth check shows whether your child is following a healthy pattern and gives you a chance to ask about feeding and milestones.
How is growth checked?
The doctor measures your child's weight, height or length, and head size, and plots them on a growth chart. The pattern over several visits matters more than any single measurement.
What if my child is not gaining weight or is a fussy eater?
Many healthy children eat small amounts or refuse foods for a while. If your child's weight is not rising over time, the doctor will look at what your child eats and check for an underlying cause.
- Offer meals and snacks at regular times, and eat together as a family where you can.
- Offer a new food several times without forcing it.
- Avoid filling your child up with juice, tea or sweet drinks before meals.
- Keep a note of what your child eats for a few days and bring it to the visit.
When and how should solid food be started?
The World Health Organization recommends starting solid foods at around six months, while continuing breast milk. Start with soft, mashed foods and add variety gradually.
- Introduce one new food at a time.
- Increase the amount and thickness as your baby learns to eat.
- Do not add salt or sugar to a baby's food.
Milestones: when should I ask a doctor?
Children reach milestones such as sitting, walking and talking at different ages. Ask a doctor if your child loses a skill they already had, does not respond to sounds or to you, or seems clearly behind other children of the same age.
You know your child best. If something about your child's movement, speech, hearing, vision or behaviour worries you, it is reasonable to ask.
What should I bring to a growth check?
Bring your child's vaccination card and any earlier growth records, test reports and prescriptions. A short list of what your child ate over the last few days is also helpful.