Children grow up so fast – in the blink of an eye, they’re already as tall as you are!
Growth is a visible testament to their health and development, which is why it is important to track your child’s growth.
Monitoring your child’s growth helps you:
- Ensure they are getting enough nutrients – growth can be a good indicator of whether your child’s diet is meeting their nutritional needs.
- Check their development – growth is closely linked to how well children are developing physically and mentally.
- Detect health problems early – if a child is growing too slowly or too quickly, it may point to an underlying health concern.
You don’t need fancy equipment to track your child’s growth – just regular tracking and simple tools will do.
Measure their height and weight at home or during clinic visits.
Plot the measurements on a growth chart to see how your child compares with other children of the same age and gender.
Use the WHO (World Health Organization) Growth Standards charts, which track weight-for-age, height-for-age and BMI-for-age.
Try to track your child’s growth at least once every three months to spot any patterns or changes.
Growth problems often link back to poor nutrition.
Here are some to look out for:
- Undernutrition – can lead to stunting (being too short for age) or wasting (being too thin).
- Overnutrition – may cause children to become overweight or obese, increasing the risk of other health problems.
- Micronutrient deficiencies – lack of iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A or other essential nutrients can affect growth and development.
Supporting healthy growth
Good nutrition is one of the most powerful tools you have as a parent to support your child’s growth and development.
It lays the foundation for strong bones, a healthy immune system, and even better concentration at school.
The good news?
You don’t need to be a Master Chef or spend hours in the kitchen to get it right.
Small, consistent efforts at home can make a big difference.
Here are some simple, practical ways to nourish your child’s body and mind as they grow:
Breast milk provides all the nutrients babies need, along with important antibodies to protect against illness.
As your child begins solids, aim for a colourful plate, including fruits, vegetables, grains, protein (like chicken, fish, tofu or eggs) and dairy products.
Every child is different; trust their hunger cues and avoid forcing them to finish everything on the plate.
Children are more likely to enjoy healthy foods when they’re part of the process.
Let them help wash vegetables, stir sauces or pick out their plate colour!
A good breakfast jumpstarts the day with the energy they need to learn, play and grow.
Growing children get hungry often.
Stock up on smart snack options like sliced fruit, yoghurt, boiled eggs or wholegrain biscuits.
Remember, every child grows at their own pace, and growth isn’t always perfectly steady.
What’s most important is that your child is happy, active and developing well.
By tracking their growth regularly and offering a balanced diet, you’re already doing a great job.
If you’re ever unsure or have concerns about your child’s growth, don’t hesitate to speak to your doctor or a qualified registered nutritionist.
Dr Roseline Yap is a nutritionist and Nutrition Society of Malaysia honorary treasurer. This article is courtesy of the Malaysian Paediatric Association’s Positive Parenting programme in collaboration with expert partners. For further information, please email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
