Toddler Health

Growth and Weight

Your Toddler’s Growth

Your toddler will grow very fast up until his or her first birthday. Between the ages of 12 and 24 months, your toddler’s growth will slow, although she or he will continue to gain weight and grow taller.

Your health care provider should measure your toddler’s weight and head size on a regular basis. Both of these measures are important for determining your toddler’s growth. Your health care provider will use a growth chart to track your baby’s growth pattern.  For more information about your toddler’s growth and the growth charts, see the resource Is My Child Growing Well?

Once your toddler is walking, more muscle in the legs and arms will develop. Your toddler will likely lose fat around the face and tummy. This makes your toddler look less like a baby and more like a young child.

Here are general guidelines for growth from six months to 36 months of age:

If you are concerned about your toddler’s growth, talk to your doctor or public health nurse.

Your Toddler’s Weight

A growing concern among parents is the problem of children being overweight or obese. You can help your toddler stay at a healthy weight by combining enough physical activity with healthy food. Here are some additional ways that you can help your toddler maintain a healthy weight:

• Breastfeed until your toddler is 24 months and older.
• Encourage your toddler to be physically active every day. To learn more about physical activity for your toddler, click here.
• Always offer healthy meals with lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, and grains. For more information on healthy eating, click here.
• Let your toddler eat the amount of healthy food that she or he wants. Avoid forcing your toddler to eat. A healthy eating relationship is one where you provide healthy food choices at meal and snack times and your toddler decides how much to eat.
• Never take food away from your toddler if he or she is still hungry.
• Avoid using food as a bribe or reward.
• Toddlers do not need juice. If you decide to give juice, choose 100% unsweetened juice and offer no more than 60 to 125 ml (1/4 – 1/2 cup) of juice a day.
• Avoid giving your toddler soft drinks and high‑sugar or high‑fat drinks or snacks.
• Have regular mealtimes as a family. Avoid grazing or snacking all day long.
• Set a good example for your toddler. Eat healthy foods, eat meals at a table, eat slowly, and get enough physical activity.
• Limit the amount of time your toddler spends in front of the TV or other media to a maximum of one hour a day or, better yet, none at all.
• Ask your physician, dietitian, or public health nurse if your toddler is at a healthy weight. Your health‑care provider will look at your toddler’s age, sex, height, and weight.

For more information on helping your 2+ year old toddler develop a healthy weight, see the printable pamphlet: Promoting Healthy Weights for Children 2‑5 years old.