Is My Baby the Correct Size?

T.,
Don't worry about your baby's size. There is nothing you can do to change her height. My son is very short for his age. He wasn't your daughter's length until he was about a year. I wouldn't worry what the doctor says, unless there is a medical problem. If you don't like what your pediatrician has to say, you can always find a new one!

What does your Mom-Gut say to you? I have one child and in 9 years my Mom-Gut has not given me wrong information. Go with that.
Do you feel that your baby is healthy, thriving and hitting her milestones per the baby websites and books? Or do you perhaps feel as if something may be wrong?
Also keep in mind that just because you have a pedi - it doesn't mean they are the right pedi for you.
In our situation I tried not to compare our daughter to others but I knew something was not quiet right and turns out it wasn't. We went through 4 pedis until we found the perfect one - we did what was needed and we have a wonderful perfect 9 year old that I try very hard to keep up with.
Don't over worry if she's hitting the milestones thriving - but don't let someone tell you you're being foolish if your Mom-Gut tells you something isn't right.

The size of other people's children has nothing to do with the size of your child. Size is determined by family genes. I have three grandchildren who were always in the lower quarter of the recognized growth chart when they were young (they had a tall father and a short mother who also had a short mother). They are all adults now and are regular sized people, none particularily tall and none particularily short. Just how short/tall does your doctor think your child should be. Unless your child is a dwarf or midget (which would have been discovered at birth), don't worry about it. As long as the child is healthy and active there will probably come a growth spurt. It may take 7 to14 years, but it'll come, and if it doesn't, so what, you'll just have a short child. Having a healthy, happy child is much more important.

Well, first of all....how tall are you? If you are a petite person you might have a petite daughter. My sister is 5'1 and about 100 lbs. and she has 2 of the smartest, most beautiful (but small) girls you have ever seen. They are wonderful gymnasts and dancers, love reading and art and are smart as all get out. And they were small toddlers and will probably be small adults. (Dad is 6 foot, but that doesn't seem to be entering into the picture at all).

So look at genetics first. Then look at diet. Does she eat well? Is she getting all the right protein and vitamins and minerals she needs? And is she sleeping well?
Discuss those points with the Dr., if you need.

Baby growth spurts are variable. SOme kids never seem to follow the growth chart posted in the Doctor's office. That's why those charts are predictions, or averages.

I had a tall toddler and a short toddler. Both boys. My "tall" son grew rapidly until the age of 9, then leveled off.
My "shorter" son hardly grew at all until age 5. When he was 5, people thought he was 3. Now he is 15 and is 5'10", with a size 11 foot and outgrows jeans in a month.

One of mine was 16.9 lbs and 25 in. The other was 17.13 lbs and 25.2 in.

So right about the same as your child. Probably a low in % chart, (what around 30%-50% or something like that??) but don't worry. They are twins and are now bigger. Higher in the chart near the 75% which is totally fine. Don't worry.

I wouldn't worry about it. She is still very little and has LOTS of time to grow. My five year old was short and chunky until he was about 3 years old. He has slimmed down and shooting up. My 4 month old at his 4 month check up was 14.75 pounds and 26" long. He's total opposite of my other boy.
Good luck!

As long as she is hitting her developmental milestones and hasn't fallen off the growth chart then you have nothing to worry about. My daughter is 10 1/2 months and only 15 lbs 10 oz and 26 inches long. She is very tiny, but hitting all her milestones. Go with your gut. If you are concerned then get a second opinion.

Our son is on the opposite end from your daughter- he's HUGE. He has been off the charts big for most of his life. My hubby & I neither one are tall, but he definitely will be! We're 5'8" & 5'4"; he was at 46" (3'9") at his last well child in Jan, and he's 4yo. Of course people comment, thinking he's older than he is and developmentally challenged or something, but I don't let that bother me.

Oddly my son is as tall now as my youngest bro was when he was about 13 or 14. My bro hit a growth spurt in his late teens and now at 21, he's as tall as my hubby. His pedi was never terribly concerned, only reinforced that he's small but healthy after heart problems as a baby. She did warn my parents of different things to look out for which would be indicators of other problems which would cause need for testing, etc.

Each child grows at different rates. If you feel she's healthy, then she's fine. I always trust my instincts over anything else. Maybe the pedi is trying to warn you, but I would ask flat-out about it. If s/he doesn't give you a straight answer, find another pedi. I learned that the hard way with my OB/GYN when I was preggo with my son. That's a mistake I won't make again.

Our son...who is very uh fat for his age was 22 lbs, and 27 inches his weight was 97% and his height is 67% at that time. But our son was 9 lbs 1 oz when born. The pediatrician was probably just wanting to keep an eye on it. My husband and I are both short people me 5'3" and him 5' 8or9". So our son is going to be short most likely. I was one of the tallest people in elementary and jr. high..but after that I was finished growing. We all grow at different rates. I have a little growth chart if this helps...3-6 months should be 12-16 lbs, 24-27inches and 6-9 months should be 16-18 lbs, 27-28inches. I dont think it sounds like there is a huge growth problem. Try not to worry about it yet. She is healthy and isnt a "little person" (dwarf). Count your blessings and pray that God will be incontroll.

No worries my friend... My daughter is very pettite, she didn't hit 16 lbs until she was a year old, and at her 6 month check up she was 26 inched tall. They all grow at different rates. As long as she is healthy and eating well I wouldn't worry at all.

T.,

Your baby is just the size that God wants her to be. If she is healthy, don't worry. Keep loving her and feeding her and she will grow. I have a son who just had his 4 year check up and weighs 30 lbs and is 38 inches tall. He is smart as a whip and healthy, just little. He is in the 5th percentile for weight and the 10th percentile for height! He is just a little munchin. He is projected to be 5'4" at this time. Don't worry about her being small. If the doctor continues, I would get a new pediatrician.

Peace,
C.

Hi T.-

If my growth chart is correct that would put your daughter in the lower 5%. If you and your pediatrician don't have any other concerns about her development then I wouldn't worry, she may hit a growth spurt and catch up or she may just be a little shorter growing up, not a big deal!

My kids are all big. All 3 have been in the 95% + in both height and weight. I guess I could have worried that they'd either be overweight or giants based on the growth charts, but they are neither. Yes my two oldest are the tallest in their classes, but not by a huge margin.

I guess my point is someone has to account for the extremes on the growth chart for both height and weight, it doesn't mean there is anything to worry about.

If she's hitting other milestones and is growing consistently along her curve on the growth chart I wouldn't worry.

Good Luck,
K.

I hope I can put this in a little perspective for you. I was 18 inches long when I was born. My sister who is 22 months younger was 22 inches long at birth. Now I am 5'7" and she is 5'5". We are both happy.

My beautiful granddaughter who is grown now was, as a toddler, "tall" for her age and at the lower end of average weight for her age. She is now 5'6". Her weight is normal.

Have you asked your doctor if you should be concerned? Unless, there is a malady, I believe you should enjoy your Marley just as she is. Kiddoes grow in spurts!

You sound like a great mom. God bless you.

B. K

My daughter was never even on the charts she was so small. When the Dr. showed us the chart she was about an inch below the lowest line. He said she would need Growth Hormone when she was 2, but at 23 months she had a growth spurt. She's still not on the chart, but she's really close, and he said that was good enough. My daughter wore 3-6 month until she was 15 months, and then shot up to 9-12 months. Now she's 30 months and wearing 12-18, so she's still dainty, but so am I, so this doesn't come as a shock. I'm sure your daughter was made perfectly and will be just right.

My little guy was 26 inches and 16 pounds at 6 months. He is on the smaller end of the scale but our pedi has never been concerned.

Pediatricians tell you things like that because they have to in case your child does not improve in the future. Your child is still on the charts so she is still fine. If there is a real problem, s/he would have referred you to to a specialist. Also, depending on the chart you're using, CDC or WHO, your child will be higher or lower on the percentile chart.

That is almost how much my daughter weighed and how long she was at 6 to 7 months. She was 25 1/2 inches and 16 lbs. at her 6 month check up, by her 9 month check up she was 28 inches and only 17 lbs. As long as she is healthy and happy don't worry about it. I don't know why your ped. would say that. I have never had my daughter's pediatrician say anything about how petite she is and she still is at 19 months old. 31 1/2 inches and 22 lbs. :)

Babies will grow at their own rates...and it can also vary between formula and breastfed little ones. Was she full term? My pediatrician likes to watch growth rate over time. Where was she at birth and where is she now? Sudden drops or jumps can, but don't necessarily, indicate a problem.

By my calculations, she is right around the 10th percentile for height and 30th for weight. She is certainly petite, but as others have said before...genetics is a major factor.

So long as she is hitting all her milestones, eats a complete age-appropriate diet, and is an active/interactive baby...enjoy her.

Keep in mind that sometimes doctors don't watch the words that they use. Saying that she is a little short isn't necessarily an indication that you need to be concerned...just that she is shorter than average.

I looked it up on the chart and she is about 25% in both height and weight. That really isn't 'small.' Bottom 25%, sure, but I wouldn't say 'small.' What they are looking for, though, is growth or staying on the same percentile or higher. If she was in the bottom 25% last time then she's probably normal for her unique self.

My sister's daughter is always in the 0-10% and her ped has NEVER said anything about it. My oldest height is always in the top 100% and in the bottom 10% in weight (very tall and thin) and her drs have never been concerned either.

Don't let the Dr. worry you. Our daughter was always at the 10 percentile (Do you know what percentile your daughter "falls in?"), but she was consistently there, and our Dr. said that was HER area. Don't let him stress you about it. If she's eating properly, and you know if she is, and is healthy, no big deal. Our daughter is now a petite 5'2-3/4" young woman (almost 20). She's very healthy, is smart and lovely to people and all those things you hope God will bless your children with. Wishing you a wonderful, less-stress day with your lovely family. :-)

I had to refer to my wall growth chart...at one my daughter was 26 inches. Now two, she is 32 inches. She's a little squirt!!! I am 5'2"...probably where she gets it!!! Her shoe size, on the other hand, is an 8!!! How does she walk!?!
My advice....dont compare...
And, for what its worth, my kiddo is a ball of muscle...(not like me as a child, butterball turkey!) The woman has no fear!! She can keep up with all the boys!!! And dont get me started on those meathooks of hers!! (gets those from Daddy)FYI, she is 25 lbs.

Margaret :)

First of all it depends on what your child weighed and her length when she was born.. Also there is a large gap on weight and height... As long as your child is thriving, she should be fine.. Infants also go in unpredictable spurts, tomorrow she could shoot out on all sides..

Check out this chart. Your child falls right in the middle..
http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/height-weigh...

DO NOT WORRY unless there are other issues. My son has ALWAYS been in the 5th and 10th percentile. He's probably not going to be big (I'm 4'11") or he will shoot up like my husband and brother-in-laws did at puberty.

I can tell you that it is bothersome to know that there MIGHT be something wrong. My son's weight, height, and head size have been a constant conversation every time we have taken him in for well-baby visits. However, he has ALWAYS been on his own growth curve underneath the "real" curve. He is 26 months and only know since we were ordering a lead test did she draw some blood to check endecrine levels. She doesn't seem to concerns.

***My son was 1 1/2 years before he got out of a rear-facins car seat due to being under the 20 pound mark. He is a healthy, happy, fun little boy.

Sounds fine to me, but I'm curious to see the responses myself. :-)

Dear T.,

Don't worry! If your baby is eating well, and thriving, a few inches here and there should not be an issue! We all come in different shapes and sizes, and so do our babies. My husband and I are small people, and so is our daughter (as she should be). Does your doctor have any other concerns regarding her height? If not, then I would not wory about it.

Is the doc worried she might have a low thyroid or something? If she does, have it check and other things that might affect growth. If not, I wouldn't worry about it.

Does it REALLY MATTER what "height" she is? I mean, honestly? Why should you be worried? Are all of your realtives tall & you want her to be tall too?? I think you & the doctor should worry more about her health & overall well-being. Who cares if she isn't "as tall as you'd like", the point is to make sure she's healthy & happy. I will tell you this though, whatever you do, do NOT give her any 'growth hormones'. My step sister-in-law did this w/her adopted daughter because she felt she was "small for her age" & it did nothing but make the child gain like 200 lbs! Which, in turn, made the child not only miserable & FAT but made her turn against her 'mom'. The sis-in-law didn't take into acct. that MAYBE someone in the child's biological family were not tall & that's why she was "small" for her age. Perhaps you should take that into consideration. ALthough she's your biological child, perhaps someone down the line isn't as tall as you or your husband are. Children grow at their own pace, just leave it alone. So WHAT if she's "small", at least she's healthy. I knew of two twin girls, fraternal twins & one was lik 5'6" & the other was under 5' tall!, she was lik 4'8" or maybe at 5' but not taller than that for sure. I'm sure their parents didn't worry about it, they just thought nothing of it, that it was an odd but 'normal' occurance. I know because I went to school w/them & someone asked them that question one day, if they thought it was odd they were so drastically different in height. I seem to think I remember their mom not being overly tall, maybe around 5'6" or so but can't remember the mom so much, I only met HER once I think. So don't worry about it, just love your daughter as she is, that's all children want anyway, is to be loved & ACCEPTED as-is. God, if you believe in him--which I do & I see that you do too, knows what he's doing. So does Mother Nature, not everyone is made the same, just keep that in mind. Good luck!! (p.s., just so you & the other readers know, the "italics" don't work on here so I had to use capital letters for emphasis so I'm not really "yelling" as the caps sometimes mean).

lol sorry no she is OK they just say that cause its a chart thing they do my little girl has heart problems and has had 2 heart surgeries and she did not weigh 10lbs till she was 6 months and she is 16 months now and has dropped a pound in a month she was 19lbs 3oz and now she is 18lbs but no your daughter is about right they tell me steph my daughter has a small head lol and it looks fine to me but all that chart stuff the do is why they say it all kids are different and we have see a lot of Dr's and they all say different things