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For example, if you doctor says
your baby is in the 84th percentile
for weight, this means that 84
percent of all babies in the nation
of the same sex and age weight less
than your baby and 16 percent weigh
more.
Typically, parents seem to worry
quite a bit about these percentages.
That worrying is needless. There are
many factors that come into play
when determining where your baby's
statistics will fall.
It is important to remember that
no two babies are the same and that
every child will grow at his own
pace. Body chemistry, heredity, diet
ad many other factors come into
play. Unless your doctor is
concerned about your baby's
height
or weight, don't you worry about it.
In addition to the doctors
measuring, many parents like to
track baby's growth at home. This
isn't necessary but it could be fun.
If you have a baby scale,
tracking weight will be pretty
simple. If you don't have a baby
scale, you can still track baby's
weight on your own scale. Weight
yourself without the baby then pick
her up and weight the two of you
together. Subtract your weight from
your combined weight and you have
the weight of the baby. This, of
course, will not be as accurate as
the baby scale or the doctor's scale
but you are just doing this for fun
anyway so you don't need precision.
To measure your baby's height,
simply lay him on his changing table
and measure from head to toes. Watch
the way the doctor or nurse does it.
Record these measurements in your
baby's diary.
If you decide to measure your
baby's head circumference, wrap the
measuring tape around the center of
the back of the head, over the ears
and right above the eyebrows.
Don't take your home measurements
too seriously. This is more for fun
than anything else. Your doctor will
have a more accurate record of your
baby's development if it is ever
needed. If you notice a marked
reduction in weight, it is important
to consult your doctor right away.
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