[lavatea]

According to this really cool growth chart that was posted, Aiden is underweight and short for his age (and has been) even when adjusted for his preemie status. And he's not under by just a little bit, either. He's well below the curve. Should I even look at this? When will he catch up? I mean, he's not even on the chart. I would be happy with even a low percentile, but he's not a percentile at all...

[Alejandros Mommy]

I really don't look at those charts....each child is different...My Aiden is technically a "preemie" as he was born at 36wks....I found that with him he doubled his weight within 2 mnths...just like his big brother did...but with Aiden he leveled off and only gained about a 1lb 1/2 a month for a while...now he fits into 18-24mnth clothes...has HUGE feet...and is in size 4 diapers already.

As long as your Aiden is growing along his own curve he is doing wonderfully...like I said before...each baby is different.

[twinzplus3]

I have to agree. . . I do think it's important for doctors to look at growth charts as ONE PART OF THE PICTURE in determining a healthy baby. If you have a baby whose head circumference isn't growing, and who isn't growing normally on the charts and who is missing developmental markers. . .there's a problem. But it seems to me pretty consistently. Otherwise, like Lessly said, I don't pay attention. Most growth charts used are for ff babies which can make a difference. They don't personally interact with you to take into account for genetic tendencies! Your baby may never grow into the chart--and that's okay. All the women in my family are 5'0 or less. At 5' 7" I seem like a giant! But we're all smart, all healthy. . .things like weight and height should be looked at in conjunction with other factors.

[twinzplus3]

Oh. . .and it's more important that he's following his own curve (i.e. he's growing) than it is that he is in the "average" curve.

[mcmama]

My two sons always followed the curve path pretty good in the doctors office. My oldest was off the charts for height and weight from day one, and that did not level off until he was nearly grown up. I think he has stopped growing at 22 - he's 6'4 and slim, with size 14 feet.

The younger one has always been under the average - and followed the trajectory on the curve. Now at 17 he is having a bit of a growth spurt. Shoe size 11, but height is around 5'7". Very wiry build.

Guess which one is the athlete who likes to run and play basketball? Not the one who was GIVEN the body for it, but the one who has had to work at it. The big one is a couch potato who knows more about Star Trek than anyone alive.

Trust the growth charts in your doctors office, and expect your child to follow a curve, with some variations for growth spurts. Don't think of it as catching up.

[oweirdo]

Charts dont mean that much, as long as they follow their own curve. Kelli is not on the charts either, and she was full term. BUT she has followed her curve since birth, that is why the pedi is not to worried

[wanna be a young mother]

Originally Posted by twinzplus3

Oh. . .and it's more important that he's following his own curve (i.e. he's growing) than it is that he is in the "average" curve.

That is what my Dr. told me. As long as Nevy is gaining weight then she is fine. Some babies just have there own curve.

(I didnt link that chart to make everyone worried...lol It was just to give kristin an idea of where Jaxon should be. Every baby is different. As long as the Dr. says he's ok then he's fine )