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Baby Weight Percentages

What Percentile Is Your Child In, and Does It Matter?

By Lisa A. Goldstein

Not every doctor thinks parents should keep track of what percentile their children are in. Dr. Bud Zukow, a pediatrician with 43 years of private practice and author of Baby: An Owner's Manual (Beaufort Books, Inc., Sept. 2007), responds to the question, "Should I keep track of what percentile my child is in?" with this: "The fact that the question is being asked illustrates why percentiles aren't a good idea."

"They do very little other than cause anxiety among parents who inevitably compare their child's percentiles with those of their friends' children," Dr. Zukow writes. "As the child grows, that anxiety can be transferred to the child, especially if she becomes aware of constantly being compared to others. If your baby is healthy and showing appropriate weight gain, leave the percentiles alone. You don't need them."

Dr. Lonzer recommends that parents talk to their pediatrician about their child's growth at each checkup visit, so that they may be aware of any risk factors for metabolic or other health problems. Parents can have lots of fun guessing how their kids will end up, but "don't wager lots of cash because lots can change over time!" Dr. Lonzer says.

Want to see more?

• Checkups: What to Expect at the Doctor's Office
• Low Birth Weight Babies: Causes, Concerns and Outcomes
• The Body Mass Index (BMI): A Useful Tool in Determining a Healthy Weight
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