Growth and Development

Growth

Each baby is special and develops at a different rate. Babies come in many different sizes and shapes.
The way a baby grows tells us about that baby’s health. If a baby is having problems with health or not feeding well, growth is often slower.

How do I know if my Baby is Growing Well?

Baby is pooping and peeing regularly.
Pee is pale to clear.
Baby is content between feeds.
Baby has a steady, gradual increase in weight, length and head size.
Baby gradually develops a second chin and folds at the thigh.

Signs of a Growth Spurt	Typical Ages for Growth Spurts
Feeding more often. Frustrated at the breast. Getting up at night more often.	7-10 days 2-3 weeks 4-6 weeks 3 months 4 months 6 months 9 months
Frequent feeding for growth spurts usually last 2-3 days.

How often should Baby be Weighed and Measured?

If possible, have your baby weighed and measured:

Within 1-2 weeks of birth.
At 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months.

Older children should also be measured once each year. Weighing baby more often is not needed unless baby has health concerns.

Why do some Babies Grow Slower or Faster than Others?

Many things affect the growth of babies. Baby often grows like his or her parents. Small changes in patterns are normal, especially during the first 2 years.
All babies should show slow, steady growth over time. From time to time, they will have growth spurts. Growth spurts will continue throughout childhood.

Development

There are no rules for how old a child should be for each stage of development. Every child changes at his or her own speed, doing some things faster, some things slower.

The Nipissing Developmental Screen is a way of finding out if a child is developing in the expected way. You can complete the checklist for your child.

If you are worried that your child is not developing according to the checklist, talk to your health-care provider.

The screen covers many areas:

Vision.
Hearing.
Communication (talking and listening).
Gross motor (large muscles like the legs).
Fine motor (tiny muscles like the fingers).
Cognitive (thinking).
Social (relating to others).
Emotional (feelings).
Self-help (doing things for himself or herself).

The Activities for Your Baby/Child section of the Nipissing Developmental Screen is intended to provide you and other caregivers with some ideas for encouraging baby’s development.

Some of the benefits of developmental screening are:

It helps you to learn about your child’s development.
It shows the child’s skills and abilities.
It helps to find areas that may need extra attention.
It gives you a chance to plan ways to help your child. This may include referrals to qualified professionals.

Parents are encouraged to register online with www.lookseechecklist.com or call 1-88-582-0944 for updated checklist as their child grows.