Measuring a child at home
How to read a Growth Chart

Measurement is how we evaluate a child's growth and consequently their health. Getting accurate figures about your child's height and weight is important. Children should grow AT LEAST 2-2.5 inches each year (after age 2 and before puberty). So if your measurements are even slightly off...it could hide something going on inside his/her body. Therefore, it is VERY important that you follow this guide very carefully!

MEASURING YOUR CHILD AT HOME

·       Find a location with no carpet (smooth flooring) and a smooth flat wall.

·       Remove shoes, and bulky clothing such as coats

·       Place your child's back to the wall and make sure the back of their feet (heels) touch the wall.

·      Place a (hardback) book on their head ( standing î up) like you are putting it on a shelf at the library. ·      Make sure that the side of the book that is touching the wall (the side with the pages exposed), is completely flat against the wall-not tilted at all. ·      Make sure your child’s arms are by their side and their head is facing straight ahead, not tilted up nor down. ·      Check one more time to make sure their feet are flat on the floor ·      Mark the wall where your child’s head meets the book

·      Ask your child to step away. This is important because you really need to measure the distance from the floor to that mark - 2 times to make sure you get an accurate measurement. Write down that number EXACTLY. After you obtain his or her height, you can go to the automated growth chart and type in those numbers and it will graph your child on a growth chart-

 

Overview

Growth is a continual process, subtle changes in growth occur constantly. These changes are only noticeable when measurements are obtained and recorded over a length of time. From the moment the child is born they are weighed and measured through childhood, puberty and into adult life. Size and body proportion will matter!

Measurement is how we assess growth. The importance of obtaining accurate regular measurements cannot be over stressed.  Below are examples of techniques which may be used both in the home and the primary health care office to provide a basis for observing your child’s growth. 

Measuring equipment varies from wall charts and tape measures to sophisticated (and hence expensive) equipment. Any measurement equipment that you choose for your home is very dependant on your budget. Remember, that the measurements you take at home are supplemental to those done in your Doctors office so, if you are going to purchase equipment make it fit your budget.

These sites have an assortment of measuring equipment:

http://www.miami-med.com/Height_Measuring_Devices.htm
http://www.mygrowingchild.com/Personalize.asp

Measurement of length and height - the basics

Infants

Measuring the length of children less than two years of age is performed lying down, this is definitely a two person task, and even then there is room for error. Important for parents to note- there is sometimes a negative difference from a length measurement at birth to the first visit by your health care provider.  Your child has not shrunk! This is due to the technique used in many delivery rooms!

Here is a step by step guide to measuring infants:

1. Remove all clothing including diapers, hair accessories and hats (don’t forget to keep your child warm while you are getting ready!
2. Position child on a hard surface or measuring equipment with one person holding the head (the eyes should be pointing straight up).  Figure 1

3. The second person then grasps the ankles and applies very gentle traction to the feet – pulling the child to maximum length, (do not lean on the knees or apply too much pressure to the feet). The toes should be pointing upwards and the measurement should be taken at stretch length.

4. The measurement should be recorded by placing a mark on the chart at the appropriate age (use the correct male or female birth to 18 months chart) and by writing a record in your baby book of the date, time and measurement (charts are available through the MAGIC Foundation)

Children from age 2 to 18

A child should be measured standing up as soon as they are able to walk and are steady on their feet. Be prepared to see a difference between the last supine (lying down) measurement and the first standing measurement. This is due to a change in technique as well as spine elasticity in children. Cooperation in the toddler can be a challenge, patience and a second pair of hands is an important aspect getting an accurate measurement. In early childhood all measurements are useful. Do not measure your child too often, every three months is enough, anything more and your child may become agitated by the continued attention to their height.

Step by step guide to measuring children:

1. Prepare the measuring equipment
2. Remove shoes, socks and any hair accessories
3. Position child by placing the heels up against the backboard or wall. Figure 2 (Its useful to have foot outlines on the floor), make sure the buttocks are against the wall or back plate.  Figure 3

     
                    Figure 2                                    Figure 3 
        Good foot position                   Good back position