It helps give the norm, however don't stress too much over it. The peds also use it to help monitor growth (i.e. consistently maintaining the same percentages as they grow, no big drop)
I have a related question... My son was 25th percentile for weight at his two month visit, and doctor said he was fine and not concerned, but 25th is below average... at what point should I be concerned? Has anyone asked their pedi something similar?
(Sorry to be jumping back in, I'm Beth, I was somewhat active on this board during pregnancy, then fell off the face of the earth during my maternity leave because I don't have internet at home, but now I'm back to work, as of yesterday, and will probably be somewhat active again. My little guy was born 11/30 (my EDD was 12/6) and I'm so in love! He changes every day!)
But it really doesn't matter unless your baby was first in the 80% then drops to 50% then to 25% - get my drift. They are looking for trends to see if there are areas of concern.
So someone with a baby born in the 5%, yes it's below average, but as long as there is steady growth that might just be their normal.
I have a related question... My son was 25th percentile for weight at his two month visit, and doctor said he was fine and not concerned, but 25th is below average... at what point should I be concerned? Has anyone asked their pedi something similar?
(Sorry to be jumping back in, I'm Beth, I was somewhat active on this board during pregnancy, then fell off the face of the earth during my maternity leave because I don't have internet at home, but now I'm back to work, as of yesterday, and will probably be somewhat active again. My little guy was born 11/30 (my EDD was 12/6) and I'm so in love! He changes every day!)
My SIL had pretty small kids, they are always at the bottom of the chart. I know my nephew hovered at the 5th% there for a long while. The pedi said she only gets concerned if they actually fall off the charts.
It's perfectly fine to not be right smack dab in the middle. I mean think about it, we are talking averages, so some have to be at the top and some at the bottom. The only thing that would be concerning would be a huge drop on the scales from one visit to the next or something like that.
On a standard bell curve 2575 is all average.But it really doesn't matter unless your baby was first in the 80 then drops to 50 then to 25 get my drift.nbsp; They are looking for trends to see if there are areas of concern. nbsp;So someone with a baby born in the 5, yes it's below average, but as long as there is steady growth that might just be their normal.
This. My kiddo is 0ile for weight, meaning for comparison purposes, she'd be the lightest one out of 100 kids her age if put in order of their weights. Pedi has been concerned and had us go back for additional weight checks, and shows she is gaining weight at appropriate rate, so that's just how she is. She started out a lightweight yet long when born and a few of DHs cousins were that way as infants. Still healthy, they just watch for falling off the trend or sudden huge jumps in trends ... i.e. if my LO stopped gaining or wasnt gaining at the desired rate, could indicate that there is something going on.
Re: Percentiles?
This.
I have a related question... My son was 25th percentile for weight at his two month visit, and doctor said he was fine and not concerned, but 25th is below average... at what point should I be concerned? Has anyone asked their pedi something similar?
(Sorry to be jumping back in, I'm Beth, I was somewhat active on this board during pregnancy, then fell off the face of the earth during my maternity leave because I don't have internet at home, but now I'm back to work, as of yesterday, and will probably be somewhat active again. My little guy was born 11/30 (my EDD was 12/6) and I'm so in love! He changes every day!)
On a standard bell curve 25-75% is all average.
But it really doesn't matter unless your baby was first in the 80% then drops to 50% then to 25% - get my drift. They are looking for trends to see if there are areas of concern.
So someone with a baby born in the 5%, yes it's below average, but as long as there is steady growth that might just be their normal.
My SIL had pretty small kids, they are always at the bottom of the chart. I know my nephew hovered at the 5th% there for a long while. The pedi said she only gets concerned if they actually fall off the charts.
It's perfectly fine to not be right smack dab in the middle. I mean think about it, we are talking averages, so some have to be at the top and some at the bottom. The only thing that would be concerning would be a huge drop on the scales from one visit to the next or something like that.
This. My kiddo is 0ile for weight, meaning for comparison purposes, she'd be the lightest one out of 100 kids her age if put in order of their weights. Pedi has been concerned and had us go back for additional weight checks, and shows she is gaining weight at appropriate rate, so that's just how she is. She started out a lightweight yet long when born and a few of DHs cousins were that way as infants. Still healthy, they just watch for falling off the trend or sudden huge jumps in trends ... i.e. if my LO stopped gaining or wasnt gaining at the desired rate, could indicate that there is something going on.