• Charting your child’s growth provides an opportunity to celebrate the natural growth process. Give lots of positive comments to reinforce a healthy sense of self.

• Before you weigh your child, bring a few objects weighing five pounds or more to the scale and have your child place them on the scale. While weighing the various objects (bags of sugar and rice, for example), help him appreciate the relationship between what he feels while holding the object (heavier and lighter) and the changes in the numbers on the scale—over time a learning connection will occur.

• When you are ready to weigh your toddler, simply have your child remove his shoes and any heavy clothing and stand with both feet in the center of the scale.

• Don’t be too alarmed if your toddler’s weight gain slows. According to the American Academy of Pediatricians (2009) “toddlers need fewer calories at this time because they’re growing more slowly. Preschoolers, in general, grow an average of 2 1⁄2 inches (6 cm) annually and gain about 4 pounds (2 kg) each year.”

• Your toddler will shed much of his or her baby fat—largely because of the increased activity related to walking. If you notice sudden weight loss, call your child’s doctor or nurse. Conversely, be aware that childhood obesity is occurring more than ever and should be addressed as early as possible under the direction of a pediatrician.

• Combine weighing your child with taking his height measurement (see Measuring your toddler’s height).

Related Tips

• Measuring height (toddler)
• As your child begins to walk and look impressively vertical, you will want to take regular height measurements.
• more