One of the most common questions new parents ask is: how often should I actually weigh and measure my baby? The answer depends on your child's age — and getting it right matters for catching growth issues early.
The WHO-Recommended Schedule
The World Health Organization recommends the following monitoring frequency for healthy children:
| Age | Recommended Frequency | Key Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| 0–6 months | Every 2–4 weeks | Weight-for-age, Length-for-age |
| 6–12 months | Monthly | Weight-for-age, Length-for-age, Head circumference |
| 1–2 years | Every 2–3 months | Weight-for-age, Height-for-age, BMI |
| 2–5 years | Every 6 months | Height-for-age, Weight-for-height |
| 5–19 years | Annually | BMI-for-age, Height-for-age |
How to Measure at Home Accurately
Weight: Use a digital baby scale for infants under 2 years. Weigh your baby naked at the same time of day for consistency — ideally in the morning before feeding.
Length (under 2 years): Measure lying flat (recumbent length) using a rigid measuring board or a soft tape against a flat surface. This requires two people — one to hold the head, one to extend the legs and mark the heels.
Height (2+ years): Measure standing against a flat wall with feet together, heels, buttocks, and head touching the wall. Use a flat book on the head as a marker and measure to the floor.
When Should I Be Concerned?
Contact your paediatrician if:
- Your baby hasn't regained birth weight by 2 weeks of age
- Weight drops across 2 or more percentile lines in 3–6 months
- Your child's z-score falls below -2 SD for any indicator
- Height growth appears to stall for 3+ months in children under 3
Track Every Measurement — Automatically
GrowChart lets you log each measurement in seconds and instantly sees it plotted on a WHO growth chart. Set a reminder and GrowChart will alert you when it's time for the next measurement — so nothing falls through the cracks.