Baby growth is astounding. A baby grows from about 3.5 kg to about 10 kg in the first year - that's an increase of 6.5 kg (or 14 lbs).

Growing is such an important part of the first year of life that parents are often concerned when their child only puts on a small amount of weight in the second year.

However, in the second year, it is normal for a toddler to only put on about 2 kg (just under 4 1/2 lbs) in a 12 month period. Toddler growth is not as rapid as baby growth.

Child Growth Charts

There are child growth charts that show normal growth in both height and weight for babies and toddlers. Parents often worry that their baby or toddler is not growing because they compare with other children - what you need to do is to monitor your child's growth over time.

The page on child growth charts gives information on how to interpret growth charts and what is normal growth for a baby or child.

You can also download growth charts to assess your own toddler or baby growth.

Feeding - What is normal

If you have an infant who is under 4 - 6 months of age, she won't yet be on solids. To read more on baby feeding click here.

If you have an infant who is 4 - 6 months of age, you will be starting to introduce solids - called weaning. For information on weaning and feeding babies who are 6 - 12 months of age click here.

If your child is over 12 months of age, she will be having more of the family meals. To read about what is appropriate now the first year growth phase is over click here.

For full information on nutritional requirements of infants and toddlers, for information on serving sizes for toddlers over 2 years of age and for the food pyramid, click here.

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To go to the Newborn feeding page, click here

To read about starting solids, click here

To read about feeding for toddlers over 12 months of age, click here

To read about a Healthy Diet for Your Child, click here

To check if you toddler or baby growth is appropriate for age, click here

To return to the Home page, click here

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Last reviewed 3 November 2006

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