Growth to two years

The period up to 2 years of age encompasses a substantial amount of development in growth and coordination. The major changes that can be seen include those in length and weight, organ development, gross and fine motor skills. The rate of growth varies in a predictable sequence as physical changes provide the basis for intellectual, social and emotional changes to occur.

Initially, growth is fast and by 6 months old, the average baby born at full-term will be 67.5 cm long and weigh around 7.9 kg.

There are individual differences in how fast babies grow.

Babies with a different ethnic group may show a faster rate of growth and others a slower rate of growth. Similarly, babies who have a genetically based syndrome may also show a different rate of growth.

In the UK, the Royal College of Physicians and Child Health produce a series of growth charts specifically developed to show the average growth for all children.