New WHO Growth Charts

When new mothers are first starting out with breastfeeding, one problem they may experience is with the baby's weight gain. I myself had to deal with this problem.

The weight charts that the pediatrician's typically use are written with a formula fed baby in mind. In general, formula fed babies tend to gain more weight in the first few months than breastfed babies. This is why it is not uncommon for a breastfeeding mother to be told that her baby is not gaining enough weight and that she needs to switch to formula. If you are told this by your child's pediatrician, pay attention to your child, and not his or her weight. Is he or she wetting enough diapers during the day? Hitting all their milestones? Showing all signs of being a healthy baby? If your child is healthy, then don't worry about his or her weight. He or she will grow just fine on your breastmilk.

Not too long ago, the World Health Organization released new child growth charts that are written with a breastfed baby in mind. If you are worried about your child's weight gain, you can see where he or she stands on the new charts. You can also ask your pediatrician to carry the new charts in order to chart your child's weight gain more accurately.

The important thing to remember is, all children are different. The Mermaid was always small for her age and still is. Meanwhile the Guppy is wearing twelve month clothing at six months old. No children are the same, and labeling a baby that is healthy and hitting all his or her milestones as failure to thrive simply because they don't measure up right on a chart is, well, stupid.

New WHO Growth Charts