Baby growth charts to be revised

The World Health Organization is to issue new guidelines on measuring the growth rates of babies. Current charts are based on calculations using the growth patterns of babies fed largely on formula milk from 20 years ago. But bottle-fed babies put on weight more quickly than those that are breast-fed, meaning breast-fed children could be shown as underweight. The new recommended charts are based on data from breast-fed babies.

The research involved more than 8,000 children from six different countries, who were raised in environments where breast feeding, good diets, and prevention and control of infection were prevalent. The study has shown that the current system pitches target weights too high. Current charts suggest a healthy one-year-old weighs between 22.5lb (10.2kg) and 28.5lb (12.93kg), when in fact the true healthy weight is 21lb (9.53kg) to 26lb (11.79kg).

Bonnie - Oh, my gosh! My head is spinning with all these revelations. First, BMI is challenged and now baby growth guidelines? Somebody stop me! Like the BMI guidelines, this was another set of guidelines that I reviled because it was outdated and far from accurate. I'll reserve comment until I see the new guidelines, but the fact that they take breast-fed babies into account is a start.