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Child Growth Journal & Well-Visit Tracker

Log your child's weight, height, and head circumference at each well-visit. Track upcoming checkup dates and keep a complete growth history — printable and free.

Step 1 — Set up your growth journal

Growth Log

No entries yet. Add your first growth measurement above.

You can add entries from each well-visit checkup.

Track this over time in GrowthKit →

The GrowthKit app plots your child's growth on WHO/CDC percentile curves so you can see trends over every visit, not just individual numbers.

Your inputs never leave your device. All calculations happen locally.

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GrowthKit

Track your child's growth over time

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How Pediatricians Read Growth Data

Growth data is one of the most powerful clinical tools in pediatrics — but it's often misread by non-clinicians who focus on single numbers instead of patterns. Understanding how your child's doctor looks at growth data helps you interpret results and know when to ask questions vs. when to trust the process.

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Pattern, not point

A single weight measurement is almost meaningless without context. Pediatricians look for whether measurements are consistent with prior visits. A child who drops from the 50th to 15th percentile over two visits needs investigation; a child who is consistently at the 15th percentile is almost always growing normally for their genetic potential.

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Genetics first

Height is 60–80% heritable. Pediatricians calculate mid-parental height to estimate a child's genetic target. A child of short parents who plots at the 5th percentile is likely expressing their genetic potential. The same measurement in a child of tall parents might warrant additional evaluation.

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Weight-for-length or BMI matters more than weight alone

How a child's weight relates to their height is a more sensitive indicator of nutritional status than weight alone. A tall child who weighs what appears "too much" may actually be ideal for their height. Weight-for-length (age 0–2) and BMI (age 2+) give a more complete picture.

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Velocity: how fast is the child growing?

Growth velocity — how many centimeters per month or pounds per month a child gains — is tracked against expected velocity curves. Slowing velocity before a child has reached their expected final height can indicate nutritional, hormonal, or systemic conditions even when the child appears to be "within normal range."

Normal Growth Velocity by Age

Age RangeExpected Weight GainExpected Height GainHead Circ.
0–3 months~1 oz/day (30 g/day)~1 inch/month (2.5 cm/mo)~0.5 cm/week
3–6 months~0.5–0.7 oz/day~0.6 inch/month~0.3 cm/week
6–12 months~0.3–0.5 oz/day~0.4 inch/month~0.1 cm/week
1–2 years~4–6 lbs/year total~5 inches/year (12–13 cm)slows to ~2 cm/year
2–5 years~4–5 lbs/year~2.5–3.5 inches/year (6–9 cm)minimal
5–10 years~4–7 lbs/year~2–2.5 inches/year (5–6 cm)complete by ~5 years

These are approximate averages. Individual children vary. Discuss any concerns about growth velocity with your pediatrician.

Track Growth Over Time with GrowthKit

This web journal is great for quick logging and printing. The GrowthKit app goes further:

✓WHO & CDC percentile growth charts
✓Growth velocity analysis between visits
✓Developmental milestone tracker
✓Well-visit schedule reminders
✓Share data with caregivers
✓All data stored securely on your device

Download GrowthKit from the App Store — free to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

What measurements should I track for my baby?

The three standard measurements at every well-child visit are weight (lbs and oz, or kg), length/height (inches or cm), and head circumference (in cm). Head circumference is typically only measured until age 2–3 years, as it's mainly useful for tracking early brain development. Your pediatrician will record all three and plot them on growth charts to assess your baby's growth trajectory over time.

How often should I weigh my baby at home?

For healthy, full-term babies, the AAP recommends not weighing at home between appointments — it can cause unnecessary anxiety and home scales are often inaccurate for newborns. Exceptions include babies with weight gain concerns, premature babies, and breastfed newborns in the first 1–2 weeks. If you're concerned about your baby's weight, call your pediatrician rather than using home weighing as primary monitoring.

What does growth trajectory mean, and why does it matter more than a single measurement?

Growth trajectory refers to the path (slope) of your child's growth over time on a growth chart. A child who is consistently at the 10th percentile for weight is growing normally — their weight is following its own channel. Concern arises when a child crosses percentile lines (declining from the 50th to the 10th percentile, for example), because it indicates the growth rate has changed. A single measurement tells you where your child is; the trajectory tells you how they're doing.

My baby is small / large — should I be worried?

Size alone rarely indicates a problem. Children inherit their build from their parents (familial short or tall stature), and premature babies plot lower on standard charts for the first 2–3 years (adjusted age is used instead). What matters to your pediatrician: Is growth following a consistent channel? Are developmental milestones on track? Is the child thriving (active, eating, and happy)? Discuss any concerns with your pediatrician — they have the full clinical context needed to interpret growth data.

What does it mean to be in the 5th or 95th percentile?

Percentiles indicate where a child falls relative to a reference population. A child at the 25th percentile for weight weighs more than 25% of same-age peers, and less than 75%. Percentiles from the 5th to 95th are all considered within normal range. The WHO growth charts (used for children 0–2) use a reference population of healthy breastfed children from multiple countries; the CDC charts (used for children 2+) use a US reference sample.

How does this growth journal compare to the GrowthKit app?

This web journal is a quick, portable tool for logging measurements and tracking visit dates — great for printing or sharing with caregivers. The GrowthKit app provides WHO and CDC percentile charts, growth velocity analysis, developmental milestone tracking, and personalized insights over time. The app saves your data securely and is particularly useful for tracking trends between multiple visits.

Should I bring growth data to my child's appointments?

Yes — having your own record of measurements over time is valuable, especially if you see multiple providers, switch pediatricians, or visit urgent care clinics that don't have your child's full history. Notes about feeding, sleep, and developmental changes between visits also help your pediatrician assess growth in full context. Many pediatricians appreciate parents who come prepared with observations.

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