Normal Growth in the Second Year
Weight Patterns
According to the World Health Organization (WHO):
- At 12 months, most babies weigh between 18-22 pounds
- By 24 months, most toddlers weigh between 24-29 pounds
- Toddlers usually gain 3-5 pounds during their second year
- They might gain weight in jumps, not steadily
Height Patterns
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) tells us:
- At 12 months, most babies are 28-31 inches tall
- By 24 months, most toddlers are 32-36 inches tall
- Toddlers usually grow 4-5 inches in their second year
- Boys and girls grow at about the same rate at this age
How to Know If Your Child Is Growing Well
Good Signs of Healthy Growth:
- Following their own growth curve
- Being active and playful
- Eating and drinking well
- Having good energy
- Growing out of clothes and shoes
What Can Affect Growth?
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says these things can change how your toddler grows:
- Family genes (how tall parents are)
- What they eat
- How much they sleep
- Being sick sometimes
- Their activity level
Fun Tips to Support Healthy Growth
Good Food Choices
- Offer lots of different healthy foods
- Let them feed themselves
- Make meals fun with colored foods
- Give them child-sized portions
- Offer healthy snacks
Active Play Ideas
- Dancing together
- Playing at the park
- Walking and running games
- Climbing (with supervision)
- Ball games
Good Sleep Habits
- Keep a regular bedtime
- Have a calm bedtime routine
- Make sure they get 11-14 hours of sleep each day
- Give them a comfy sleep space
When to Talk to Your Doctor
Chat with your doctor if:
- Your child isn’t growing at all
- They grow much faster or slower than usual
- They eat very little or too much
- You’re worried about their growth
Important Things to Remember
- Every Child Is Different
- Some kids are naturally bigger
- Some are naturally smaller
- Both can be perfectly healthy
- Growth Isn’t Always Steady
- Some months they grow more
- Some months they grow less
- This is normal!
- Trust Your Doctor
- They keep track of your child’s growth
- They know what’s normal
- They’ll tell you if there’s a problem
Fun Ways to Track Growth
Make It an Adventure:
- Mark height on a special wall chart
- Take monthly pictures
- Keep a growth diary
- Celebrate growing into new clothes
- Make a growth scrapbook
Quick Growth Tips
- For Good Growth:
- Serve healthy foods
- Encourage active play
- Keep regular mealtimes
- Make sure they get enough sleep
- Go to all doctor check-ups
- Don’t Worry About:
- Small changes in appetite
- Some picky eating
- Growing at different speeds than other kids
- Taking breaks between growth spurts
Special Notes
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reminds us:
- Growth charts are just guides
- Your child is unique
- Healthy growth comes in many patterns
- Regular check-ups are important
Sources:
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Remember: This guide gives general information. Every child grows differently. Always talk to your doctor about your child’s specific growth pattern.
Helpful Tools
Keep Track Of:
- Doctor visit dates
- Height measurements
- Weight measurements
- What they eat
- How they play
- Sleep patterns
You’re doing great! Remember that growing is a natural process, and your job is just to provide good food, lots of love, and plenty of play time. Your doctor will help you make sure everything is on track!
