Babies experience a rapid growth phase in their first year as well as into their toddler years. Being concerned about the growth and development of your baby is a natural part of parenthood. Visits to the pediatrician will help you in evaluating your infant’s growth. To book an appointment with the best pediatrician in Karachi, Lahore or other main cities of Pakistan visit Marham.pk.
Comparing your baby’s vital statistics to growth and milestone charts is an effective way to calculate the developmental progress of your baby.
1. Checking your Baby’s Weight:
A steady increase in weight indicates that the baby is doing well. Measuring weight is especially helpful in case of newborns because an irregularity signifies health problems. It should be kept in mind that a baby’s weight can fluctuate throughout the day just like an adult. So to have the most accurate measurements, practice weighing your baby under the same conditions every time.
2. Measuring the Circumference of your Baby’s Head:
The best child specialists of Lahore suggest that an infant’s head growth can signal certain health conditions or developmental problems. Checking the circumference of your baby’s head can signify normal growth rate or alert you to see a doctor about possible consequences.
3. Consulting Growth and Milestone Charts:
Growth and milestone charts are quite useful in providing significant information about your baby’s growth over time and compared to other babies of the same age and gender. These charts help you to make sure that your baby grows on his/her own growth curve.
Hence, it’s important to use growth and milestone charts from your doctor or other acknowledged organization such as Centre for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
4. Avoiding Comparison to other Babies:
Your baby is unique as an individual that doesn’t grow in the same way as another baby or even your previous children. Watch your baby’s growth and well-being in general and listen to your pediatrician to make sure that your baby is developing normally.
5. Consulting your Child Specialist:
Quite often, you can expect a consistent growth curve of your baby, however, if your baby’s curve crosses two centile lines, either upwards or downwards, schedule an appointment with a child specialist. You should also consult a medical professional if you observe any developmental interruption or health-related issues.
Evaluating your baby’s growth should be a fun exercise for both of you. If your baby starts to fuss or becomes uncooperative, wait patiently and try recording the measurements again later.
