Baby Care

Your toddler’s weight

Weight gain may be irregular during spurts of growth, but any weight within the colored band is normal.

A balanced diet

Variety is the key to a good diet. Choose foods from each of the groups in the chart.

Your baby’s weight

The rapid weight gain of the first few months slows down, but your baby is still putting on weight steadily. Any weight within the colored band is normal.

The food pyramid

This table shows the proportions in which the main food groups should be eaten for your baby to take in the right balance of nutrients. The two most important groups are carbohydrates, and fruit and vegetables, followed by protein – rich foods such as meat, legumes, and dairy products. Sugars, fats, and oils should form the smallest part of your baby’s diet – in fact, the amounts of these that occur naturally on other foods will be more than enough. By following these guidelines for your baby, you will be helping her form good habits for life.

Your baby’s weight In the first five months your baby girl will be growing fast and will more than double her birthweight. Any weight within the colored band is normal.

Growth charts The charts shown here and on pp.62-63, 66-67 and 318-25 show the wide ranges of weight or height within which a “normal” child may fall. The middle line represents the 50^th percentile: 50 percent of babies will fall below this line and 50 percent above it. The lines at the top and bottom represent extremes outside which only a tiny proportion of children will fall; if your baby does, you should talk to your pediatrician.