At 3, growth seems to be slow compared with the first year. Most kids have lost their rounded tummy of a toddler and become slimmer. That might make parents wonder whether they are growing normally or having growth issues. Keep reading to know more!
The average, full-term baby’s height and weight will be around three times their birth weight and length. Then their growth starts slow, but only by a little. During the second year, they can gain around 4 or 5 extra inches and 8 pounds. Meanwhile, they might be around 2 or 3 inches and 4 pounds in the third year.
According to the CDC growth charts,
However, these numbers just represent an average, and individual heights might vary because of different factors.
There are many different reasons why your children are smaller or bigger than their peers [1].
Family history often provides a clue. For instance, if shorter stature runs in the family, your child may simply be following that genetic blueprint. Also, if they do not get adequate nutrition, this might affect their growth.
In this case, you need to visit a pediatrician. They will help track your baby’s growth to determine potential issues early on. If your child consistently falls below the growth percentiles for their age, they might investigate further to rule out conditions such as growth hormone deficiencies or other underlying health issues.
Genetics might also play a role here, with some children naturally tending towards a larger body size. Or, having a sedentary lifestyle and overnutrition might lead to excessive weight gain.
The best thing is to monitor your child’s diet and ensure it is balanced. Avoiding excessive sugar and processed foods can help manage weight. Also, you should help them stay active, which not only supports a healthy weight but also promotes overall physical and mental well-being. Regular pediatric visits will help track their growth and provide guidance tailored to their needs.
Kids at 3 need to continue to consume three meals daily, plus two snacks. Make sure to give them healthy foods from different food groups, including fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy, and grains. Concentrate on foods with high nutritional value and limit sugary drinks and junk foods as much as possible.
Give your child two cups of milk if they are not getting dairy elsewhere. However, if they are consuming more cheese and yogurt, or if you are still breastfeeding them, they might need less milk. You can discuss this with the pediatrician for further recommendation.
Kids between 2 and 3 need about 1,000 calories per day. However, you should not have to count because your child is a good judge of their appetite. For instance, during growth spurts or extra activities, they might require more calories than at other times.
A recommended daily serving for a 3-year-old child includes:
Most need about 10 to 13 hours of sleep, including daytime and nighttime. While some require an hour to two hours for daytime napping, others want to ditch naps together. So, you just adjust their schedule regularly. For example, if your child is not napping, move their bedtime a bit earlier. And if they are napping, avoid letting them doze so long or late.
Kids at 3 might have night terrors. They might cry, scream, sit up, walk, or even talk yet not awake. The bad thing is these issues are more upsetting to you than them. If they are in this case, you should not wake them, just keep them safe, calm them, and place them back to bed.
When your 3-year-old kid gets more and more creative and thoughtful, they are also learning some important facts that might get them ready for you. What to do with them? Let’s try some fun activities, games, and educational toys mentioned below!
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