Parent guide
How to keep a simple child growth record
A clear record keeps the date, measurement, and context together. It can also make it easier to bring useful questions to a pediatric visit.
1
Record the exact date
Growth charts depend on a child's age at the time of each measurement. Save the full date instead of a loose note such as “this month.”
2
Keep the method with the number
Note whether a measurement came from home or a medical visit. Use the same units in each entry so the record is easier to read later.
3
Save height and weight separately
Give each measurement its own labeled entry. This keeps the timeline clear and reduces the chance of mixing two numbers together.
4
Look at the trend, not one percentile
A single point does not tell the whole story. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that a child's pattern over time matters more than one percentile number.
5
Write down questions for the next visit
Keep questions beside the record so they are easy to find. A pediatrician can interpret the measurements with the rest of the child's health information.
Sources
This guide uses public information from the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Growbie
Keep the record in one place
Growbie is a free iPhone and iPad app for recording height, weight, growth curves, percentiles, and milestones. It supports metric and imperial units.