If there is one element that characterizes a baby’s good development, it is his growth curve. It is a real indicator of the change experienced by the infant during the first months of his life.

At each monthly examination, the doctor who follows your child measures his height and reports it on a curve already provided in his health record. Taking into account his age and sex, these measurements allow him to check that the baby is growing well and following the so-called “normal” curves.

Plotting these values ​​month after month, then year after year on this grid, the doctor or the parents come to draw a curve which illustrates the growth of the child. However, each child is different and follows their own pace, which is why there is no point in trying at all costs to ensure that their size fits perfectly with the reference value defined for their age. The main thing being that its growth is regular and that the curve remains in its zone or “corridor”.

It is during the period of the first years of life that the curve is the fastest. Indeed, in the space of a few months, baby grows very quickly and his line of growth shows a very ascending phase. Then, between 4 and 12-15 years old, it tends to stagnate only to start again with the onset of puberty. It is finally at the end of this last period, which marks the passage from the adolescent to that of pre-adult, that growth generally ends.

This curve is also a function of genetic components. Indeed, the size of each parent seems to influence that of their child. Thus the child of two tall parents will generally have a curve placed in the high zone (especially if it is a boy) while the baby of two smaller people will have his points inscribed in a lower zone. . But, in all cases, it is not enough to focus only on a few points of the curve, it must be studied in all its dynamics.

Baby visits the pediatrician almost every month during the first year of life. This makes it possible to check that its growth is regular and that the child is developing correctly. After a year, the visits are less frequent, but it is still interesting for the parents as well as for the doctor to check that everything is going well. If you can, therefore, do not hesitate to measure your child every 6 months and to report these values ​​on the health record. Thus you will obtain a regular growth curve and allowing a complete and precise evaluation of the good development of the little one.

To compare the growth of your child with “benchmarks” measurements, here is a summary of height standards in children:

• At birth, the baby measures on average 50 cm;
• Around 4 years old, his size has doubled and the child approaches the meter;
• Then, the child takes about 6 cm per year from 4 years.

Each child is different and has their own pace of growth. But for all that, it is necessary that its growth be regular and continuous. So, if after a few months you notice a break in this line of points, if it goes to another area than the starting one or if you have the slightest doubt, do not hesitate to talk to the doctor who follows the baby. . There are indeed additional tests that will allow him to determine if your child is stunted.

Often responsible for possible height delays in young children, growth hormone is then involved. After various examinations to determine its concentration in the body of the baby or child, the doctor may consider hormonal treatment to compensate for his deficit.

While this curve is important in helping doctors check that a baby’s development is correct, it should not be used as an absolute reference either and should be constantly correlated with the birth size of the child and those of his children. parents. No need to compare the size of your baby at all costs, it is better to help him grow and flourish serenely.