How does your son grow? Steadily, if he’s healthy — though there may be a huge variation in size and shape from one boy to the next.
Here is a growth chart to help you understand what your healthcare provider is looking at when he or she tells you where your son is “on the charts.”
Your child’s pediatrician or another medical professional will regularly measure the height and weight of your child, and may plot his growth on a chart like the one below. You may also hear that he is in a certain percentile for height and a certain percent for weight. (See Baby and toddler growth charts for boys here.)
Remember that these numbers in and of themselves don’t mean a lot, as children grow and develop at different rates. Such charts are helpful, however, to make sure your child — from age two to his 20th birthday — is growing consistently. If he slips off the curve (does not seem to be growing well), this may signal a problem.
Boys: Growth chart for 2-20 years
Stature-for-age (height) and weight-for-age percentiles