Is your child growing normally? Or do you think that your child is smaller than his friends? It is important for parents to note that children grow and develop at different rates and individual differences are expected. Nevertheless, your child's growth pattern can tell us a lot about their overall health. There are various factors that can influence growth such as genetics, nutrition, hormones, etc. Delayed growth occurs when a child falls below the expected growth rate for their age. If you have a concern that your child might have a delayed growth, there is a way to tell. Sometimes, a child's growth may start to slow down or fall off their usual pattern — this is known as growth faltering. If you have a concern that your child might have growth faltering, your child's doctor can check this by reviewing their growth chart.
What is a child’s normal growth?
A child's normal growth can be indicated using these milestones for every stage (in terms of height measurements). Here's a breakdown to help you understand what to expect.
Toddler (1-3 years old): Toddlers grow at a rate of 10 cm a year. Pre-school (2-5 years old): Children grow at a rate of 5-7 cm a year. Childhood (5 years - prepubertal): Children grow at a rate of 5-6 cm a year.
Adolescence: With the onset of puberty, the effects of sex steroids and growth hormone accelerate the growth rate to 8–12 cm a year in girls and 10–14 cm a year in boys.
These are however general averages, every child's growth chart is unique. Ask your child's pediatrician to review their individual growth trend at your next visit
Impact of delayed growth in children
A growth faltering in children can sometimes contribute to lower self-esteem and social challenges due to feeling different. Their confidence and their perception about themselves could be affected. It's important to remember that every child is unique, and support plays a crucial role in helping them navigate these situations.
That is why the World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises the importance of healthy growth in early childhood. Highlighting its close link to overall development across cognitive, language, and motor skills.
Did you know? The first eight years of life form the critical foundation for a child's future learning, behaviour, and health. In fact, aa child's brain reaches a staggering 90% of its adult size! By nurturing healthy growth during this crucial period, we can equip our little ones with the skills and resources needed to blossom into well-rounded adults.
How parents can help nurture healthy growth in children
1. Provide a balanced nutritional meal
Beyond genetics, nutrition plays a pivotal role in a child's growth and development. Childhood undernutrition can result in stunted growth, with potential long-term health consequences. To ensure optimal growth and bone health, prioritise a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, protein, and calcium. Encourage protein-rich choices like eggs, beans, pulses, fish, and dairy products. For calcium, consider incorporating leafy green vegetables, dairy products, and fortified cereals.
2. Ensure that a child gets enough rest and sleep
Deep sleep is essential for the secretion of the growth hormone, crucial for development. Ensure your child gets enough sleep based on their age:
1-2 years: 11-14 hours of good quality sleep (including naps)
3-5 years: 10-13 hours of good quality sleep (including naps)
6-12 years: 9-12 hours
3. Encouraging physical activity
Regular physical activity not only boosts growth hormone release but also strengthens bones and muscles. Encourage enjoyable activities like swimming, yoga, stretching, and team sports to promote healthy development. This is the duration of physical activity recommended for children.
Children 1–2 years of age should:
Spend at least 180 minutes in a variety of types of physical activities at any intensity, including moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity, spread throughout the day.
Children 3–4 years of age should:
Spend at least 180 minutes in a variety of types of physical activities at any intensity, of which at least 60 minutes is moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity, spread throughout the day.
How ASCENDA Might Support Growth
ASCENDA is an energy- and nutrient-dense formula milk designed to help address potential nutritional gaps that may contribute to undernutrition and slower growth. It is specially formulated for children experiencing, or at risk of, growth faltering. Compared to regular milk powder, ASCENDA offers more calories per serving while requiring a smaller serving volume. This can be helpful for children with small appetites or reduced food intake, who may require additional nutritional support to help meet their daily nutritional needs and support catch-up growth.
ASCENDA is also formulated with a higher protein content than regular growing-up milk products. Protein is crucial for building and repairing muscles, bones, and tissues throughout childhood. Adequate protein intake can support healthy growth and development. It is also scientifically formulated with 38 key nutrients and higher levels of micronutrients compared to regular milk powder. Micronutrients such as Zinc and Ironare important nutrients that support normal growth and development and help meet increased nutritional needs during catch-up growth.
A complete diet is key for catch-up growth! Add ASCENDA to your child’s daily routine as a nutritional supplement while a balanced diet is being established, to help your child catch up on growth and learning. If you have any concerns about your child's growth, do speak with your child's doctor.
Article References
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Ghosh AK, Kishore B, Shaikh L, et al. Continuation of oral nutritional supplementation supports continued growth in nutritionally-at-risk children with picky eating behaviour: A post-intervention, observational follow-up study. J Int Med Res. 2018;46(7):2615-32.
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