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A baby centile calculator shows where your baby's weight, length, or head circumference falls compared to other babies of the same age and sex, based on standardised growth charts (in the UK, typically the UK-WHO growth charts used by health visitors and GPs). A centile — or percentile — indicates the percentage of babies who weigh less than or the same as your baby. For example, a baby on the 50th centile is exactly average for their age, while a baby on the 91st centile is heavier than 91% of babies their age, and a baby on the 9th centile is lighter than 91% of their peers. These charts differ for boys and girls and are used from birth up to around age 4 (with separate charts for older children), since growth patterns vary significantly by age and sex in early childhood.
Centiles are a screening tool, not a verdict on your baby's health — a baby who is consistently tracking along the same centile line over time is usually considered to be growing normally, even if that line is on the lower or higher end of the chart. What health professionals watch for more closely is a significant centile crossing — where a baby's growth suddenly jumps up or drops down two or more centile lines — as this can sometimes signal a feeding issue, illness, or other concern worth investigating. Parents can track this at home using a centile calculator between routine health visitor or GP checks, but should always discuss any big shifts, or values at the very extreme ends of the chart, with a healthcare professional rather than relying on the calculator alone for reassurance or diagnosis. |
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