As a parent, a growing child is a bittersweet thing. Growing means that your little one is generally healthy, but it also means that he or she won’t be your little baby forever.

When your child stops growing at a quick rate, though, it usually means something is up. Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Cheltenham provides some helpful information on how to know if your child is staying healthy.

How Much Should My Child Be Growing?

Every child is different, but an abnormal growth pattern is usually the earliest indication of an underlying health condition. Typically, children during the first year of life should grow 7–10 inches, during the second year around 5 inches, and during the third year around 3 inches. From age 4 until puberty, growth should be at least 2 inches per year.

There are some telltale signs of abnormal growth. Wearing out shoes before outgrowing them, fitting into the same clothes or coats for more than one year, younger siblings catching up or surpassing your child’s height, gradually falling behind classmates are all practical ways to track your child’s growth rate.

Reasons Why Your Child’s Growth Is Slow

• Not getting enough calories
• Limited food
• Slow growth-rate within the family
• Pancreatic problems
• Overactive thyroid

When Should I Be Concerned About My Child’s Growth?

According to experts, your child’s overall trend of weight is often more important than a single drop in his or her weight. Another important measure is to ensure that the child is gaining weight well in comparison to their height.

Children will often lose weight as they become taller due to more activity, which is totally normal. Experts say, though, that if there’s a significant, unusual drop in your child’s weight then he or she should be taken to a doctor to determine whether more action should be taken.

Ways to Make Sure Your Child Is Healthy

• Pay attention to his or her calorie intake.
• Make sure he or she gets plenty of vitamin D.
• Focus on iron.
• Get more zinc into his or her diet.

Is your child need a school or sports physical? Bring him or her by AFC Urgent Care Cheltenham today!