Percentages? Does anyone get it?

Rebecca - posted on 08/12/2009

Get a 2nd opinion form another Dr. they will not steer you the wrong way. I am sure the Dr. just wants what is best for your baby, but if you do not trust what the Dr. is saying it is time for a new one.

Shanda - posted on 08/11/2009

They're percentiles rather than percentages. It just means that if she's in the 95th percentile for weight, if you put her in a room with a sample of 100 babies her same age she would be as heavy as or heavier than 95 of them. Likewise she's be as tall as or taller than 58 of them, being in the 58th percentile for height.



So you'll notice that she'd be heavier than a lot more of the babies than she'd be taller than... she she's chubbier than a lot of babies her age. That where your doctor is commenting. I don't think she needs a diet... I'd maybe keep an eye on whether i was feeding her or giving her a bottle where she might be bored or need comfort rather than food... but otherwise, if she's hungry, feed her! I don't follow everything my doctor says just because he says it. On many things I get his opinion, do my own research, and make up my own mind in if i were in your position this is one of the issues I'd be making up my own mind on!

Megan - posted on 08/10/2009

Thank you to everyone who has posted a response. All of the responses given were helpful, I was really unclear on the percentage thing, But I feel much more confident now. Vicki you are correct my ped is a "general practicionner" but she only sees babies. She is also pregnant, I had a word with her and asked what she would do if her 6mo old was screaming out of hunger. Her reply was "Maybe we just could add more green veggies". Which we have with the help of home made food.

And Robin, I agree if she is 4 or 5 and still over weight then i think we will have a problem.

Thanks again ladies I appreciate the feedback.

Vicki - posted on 08/08/2009

NO WAY should you be putting that baby on a diet. That is a very healthy weight, even with the lesser height. Seriously? Don't worry about it. My son had been in the 95th percentile for both height and weight at four months, and at the six month check-up he remained at 95 for height, but dropped to about 70 or so for weight. Here's something on what the percentiles mean-



Notes on percentiles:

Percentiles are the most commonly used clinical indicator to assess the size and growth patterns of individual children in the United States. Percentiles rank the position of an individual by indicating what percent of the reference population the individual would equal or exceed. For example, on the weight-for-age growth charts, a 2-year-old girl whose weight is at the 25th percentile, weighs the same or more than 25 percent of the reference population of 5-year-old girls, and weighs less than 75 percent of the 2-year-old girls in the reference population.

Please keep in mind that your child's percentile doesn't really indicate how well they are growing. A child at the 5th percentile can be growing just as well as a child at the 95th percentile. It is more important to look at your child's growth over time. If you are concerned about your child's growth, talk with your Pediatrician.



I'd like to also note this. Your doctor is probably a "general practicionner" with "general knowledge." Remember not too long ago it was pretty common knowledge that the Earth was flat?? LOL. I wish more people were still calling doctors Quacks!!

Robin - posted on 08/08/2009

50 percent is average, if she was in the 95th percentile, she is WAY ABOVE average, 58th is about average, my son at his six month was not even 18 lbs, I think like 17 and a half, I would not be too concerned about her weight as a baby, but if she starts into 4 and 5 year old being over weight then I would be concerned for health sake, the reason the dr says obese is because 50 PERCENT is AVERAGE for normal healthy babies



My sons weight was mostly in the 50 percentile range but his head size and height were in the 90's lol I hope he grows into his head!

Brooke - posted on 08/07/2009

Basically its because her height percentile is only at 58% and her weight is at 95% if her height was at 95% too it wouldnt be so much of an issue. So she if there were 100 kids she would be heavier then 95 of them and taller then 58 of them. I dont think he is suggesting a diet, but to not give her as much. Natalie was 28 in and 14.7 oz at her 6 month check..so 95% for height and 25% for weight. Drs like to see there growth in weight and height to grow together..if they dont it sends a red flag. Today at 7 months she was 16lbs and 28.5 inches.

Amber - posted on 08/07/2009

My daughter was at 19lbs 19oz, I was told not to worry about it. Shes in the 75% for her height though. She was in the 100%. Your pediatrician should realize growth spurts, my daughter gets really chucky and then grows taller. But I was told she should only be drinking around 21 oz of formula a day at 6 months. The percentage thing is just an average so for her weight she weighs more than 95 other baby girls her age. Like the other woman said it is like a guideline.

Veronica - posted on 08/07/2009

Hi Megan. Some babies are just good doers! I don't believe your doc would be suggesting a diet. Think of it more as managing or monitoring. Perhaps as she is doing so well, she doesn't need quite as much formula as she just needs to keep growing. But you're her mum and you know her better than anyone. I think fat babies are beautiful. Both mine are/were 90 percenters. Although they were the same for weight as for length. I would think in the % your daughter hasn't grown in length as much as she has in weight therfore leaving her in the 58th % for her age. It is a guideline to give you an idea how well your baby is growing. I don't know for sure but i think it is based on current medical knowledge of the range of measurements of a baby at each age group. You want a nice steady arc on your graph showing your baby progressively growing in all areas. Get a second opinion.

Veronica