Monitoring a baby’s growth is a major concern for parents, especially during the first years of life. Growth charts are valuable tools for assessing the physical development of infants. However, the standard curves used in health records, often based on children fed commercial infant formula, may not adequately reflect the growth of breastfed babies. This article explains why it is crucial to use growth charts specific to breastfed babies, such as those proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Why specific curves for breastfed babies?
- Growth differences: Breastfed babies and formula-fed babies have different growth patterns. Specifically, breastfed babies tend to gain weight more quickly in the first few months, however their weight gain slows compared to bottle-fed babies.
- Standards based on breastfeeding: The WHO growth charts are based on a multicenter study including more than 12,000 healthy children, exclusively breastfed during the first months of life. Thus these curves take into account the normal growth variations of breastfed children, providing a more precise reference for assessing their development.
Use of WHO curves
- Curves available: WHO curves are available for different measurements: weight, height, head circumference and body mass index (BMI). Moreover, they are segmented by age and sex, allowing a detailed and specific assessment for each child.
- Growth tracking:
- Weight and height: Parents should regularly monitor their baby’s weight and height using the WHO curves. By doing so, they can detect a health problem or breastfeeding difficulties.
- Head circumference: Measuring head circumference growth is crucial for monitoring brain development. Additionally, the WHO curves provide specific references for this measurement.
- Interpretation of data: It is important to note that the values on the curves represent percentiles, indicating a child’s position in relation to a reference population. For example, a child at the 50th percentile for weight is exactly within the average for children of his age and sex. A variation in percentiles may indicate a need for consultation with a healthcare professional.
Benefits of WHO curves for breastfed babies
- Increased precision: The WHO curves provide better accuracy for assessing the growth of breastfed babies compared to curves based on babies fed commercial infant formula. They take into account the typical growth patterns of breastfed babies, reducing the risk of misdiagnosis of under or overfeeding.
- Breastfeeding support: When moms see that their baby is on a healthy growth curve, they are more likely to continue exclusive breastfeeding, which is beneficial for the child’s long-term health. But be careful to remain attentive to your maternal instincts, the curve should not regulate everything.
In case of concerns
- Professional consultation: If significant deviations are observed in the growth curve of a breastfed baby, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional. A pediatrician for a health check (as a reminder, the pediatrician is not at all a breastfeeding specialist) and a lactation consultant can help identify the possible causes of variations and propose suitable solutions.
- Overall analysis: There’s more to a baby’s growth than weight gain. It is also important to consider height, head circumference, psychomotor development and signs of general well-being. Therefor, a comprehensive assessment ensures that the baby is developing correctly in all areas.
Conclusion
The WHO growth charts are a tool to monitor and evaluate the growth of breastfed babies. They are a tool that can help parents and health professionals monitor the physical development of infants adequately. If in doubt, it is always preferable to consult a specialist for personalized and reassuring follow-up.
