The child's growth chart will be a good direction for parents to take better care of their baby. But have you fully understood the significance of the growth charts?
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How to understand the child's growth chart
How to use a child's growth chart?
Child growth chart is used around the world as a data to help assess the overall situation of a baby's physical development. In it, the most popular chart is given by the World Health Organization (WHO) with indicators for boys and girls. The most commonly monitored metrics are height, weight, weight-to-height ratio and body mass index. In addition, head circumference is also an indicator used to evaluate somewhat of a baby's development. The charts are divided by age group for the convenience of parents and healthcare professionals.
First of all, parents should know about the two common types of scores commonly used on child growth charts: the z-score and the percentile.
With the z-score system, using a statistical algorithm named the reference points of the standard deviation ”(Standard Deviation scores), also known simply as the z-score (z-score). The subjects were statistically divided into a z = 0 mean, 1 through 3 being above the average and -1 to -3 being below the average. It should be noted that this chart form shows a "standard deviation", but does not mean that the z = 0 mean is the norm for all children in the world.
A BMI chart of girls aged 0-5 years using the z-score system given by WHO
Mom needs attention when the baby is in the group of -3 and below With normal nutritional and health conditions, babies will be very unlikely to be in this group.
Percentile System: Charts of different standards based on% of children of the same age. You will see on the column the numbers 3rd (3%), 15th (15%), 50t (50%), 85th (85%), 97th (97%). These percentages represent the percentage of children in the world below that channel.
A chart of height growth of girls aged 0-5 years according to WHO statistics percentile
With the child growth chart at the percentile system, it's not that the baby at 50% is the correct standard or the baby at 97% is above the standard as many people think. Each channel expresses the baby's development in that channel. For example, if a baby is born with a weight on the 15th channel, it is perfectly normal for a baby to continue gaining weight around this channel. The chart of weight and height by percentile is often more of a reference, used for a group or a community to compare with international standards.
If the baby is in the 3rd group or less, the mother should have the child go for a health check to find out the cause. Usually, with universal feeding conditions, it is difficult for the baby to be included in this group.
On another side note, babies in the 97% bodyweight or higher group should have their BMI tested to avoid obesity.
In terms of the conventional colors, the blue charts are for boys and pink for girls.
A printout of a child's growth chart is often located on the back of parenting manuals or health care books to make it easier for mothers to evaluate. Mother measured weight, height and BMI, head circumference of the baby periodically 1,2,3 or 6 months and marked the index on the chart in the corresponding monthly position. The individual number in each measurement will likely deviate from the average, but it is not as important as the curve of growth over time. If the curve doesn't go up for a long time, that's an alarming sign. Your baby will need to be evaluated more closely by experts and need more changes in diet and activities.
How is your child's weight and height standard? Is any mother worried about my child's weight and height? Join MarryBaby to find out if your baby is developing properly "standard" or not!
Growth chart is only one of the reliable reference data for parents. More than anyone, as the person closest to your baby, you may notice signs of normal or unusual behavior in your child's activities. Are your baby's senses well developed? Is the child's motor ability and cognition limited? These are also extremely important questions that parents need to answer, because weight and height cannot tell all about a baby's development, nor is it an indicator that can reflect the level of conduct. Happy, happy that your baby has.
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