Understanding Baby Growth Percentiles

Should you count on a basketball scholarship if your baby boy is above the 95th percentile for height? Not so fast. It's a little early to start planning his career in the NBA. According to Dr. Miller, growth patterns in the infant and toddler years aren't always an accurate predictor of how your child will look as an adult. A baby who's at the top of the charts in infancy might experience slower growth later in childhood, while a baby who's at the lower end of the charts might enjoy a major teenage growth spurt.

Percentiles are just one of many tools your pediatrician uses to monitor your child's health. As long as your little one is making consistent forward progress and following his own unique pattern, chances are excellent that he's growing just fine.