Know the Growth Pattern for Your Little One of 1 Year Old

Becoming a parent is certainly a moment full of happiness, but also accompanied by worries, especially regarding the growth of your little one. Of course, you want to make sure that your little one grows healthily and according to his age.

Growth patterns in the first year of life can be an important guide for you to monitor the development of his weight, height, and head circumference. Let's explore further what you need to know about baby growth in the first year.

Growth in Weight, Height, and Head Circumference
The main indicator to find out whether your little one who is still a baby is growing normally is to monitor the increase in weight, length, and head circumference regularly. Healthy growth will be seen from the increase in numbers on the growth curve that is appropriate for his age. In the first year, he experiences very rapid growth. He can experience a two to three times increase in weight compared to when he was born.

Below is a general overview of weight gain, body length, and head circumference that you can use as a reference:

Baby's age

Weight Gain

Body Length Gain

Head Circumference Gain

0-4 months

112-250 grams per week

2.5 cm per month

1.27 cm per month

4-6 months

92-142 grams per week

1.9 cm per month 1 cm per month

6-12 months

50-113 grams per week

1.27 cm per month

0.64 cm per month

During the first 4 months, your little one will generally gain weight very quickly, around 112 to 250 grams per week. During this period, his body length will also increase by around 2.5 cm per month, and his head circumference will increase by around 1.27 cm per month. This rapid growth is part of his adaptation to the environment outside the womb.

However, their growth will slow down after they reach 6 months of age. Weight gain will be slower, around 50 to 113 grams per week, and growth in body length and head circumference will also slow down. However, this is normal and is part of the baby's natural growth pattern. Let's read the article Ideal Baby Weight Aged 0-12 Months to see what the ideal weight growth is.

Stages of Baby Growth in the First Year
In the first week after birth, your little one will generally lose 5-10% of their body weight. This is normal because they are adapting to the environment outside the womb. At the age of 2 to 3 weeks, their weight will return to normal, and at the age of 3 to 4 months, their weight will reach 2 times their birth weight.

When they reach 12 months of age, their weight gain can reach 3 times their birth weight, especially for baby boys. In baby girls, this amount of weight gain can be achieved at the age of 15 months.

In addition to weight, their length also experiences significant growth. At 12 months, their body length can reach 1.5 times their birth length.

Factors Affecting Growth Patterns
Your little one's growth is not only influenced by internal factors such as genetics, but also external factors such as nutrition and parenting. Here is an explanation of how these factors can affect their growth patterns.

Parenting Patterns and Breastfeeding Frequency
Parenting patterns have a major impact on your little one's growth, especially in the early stages of their life. Babies who are breastfed exclusively and frequently (on demand) tend to grow faster. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for them, especially in the first 6 months of their life. Babies who are breastfed according to their needs and sleep with their mothers (co-sleeping) will feel safer and more comfortable, so that their growth can be more optimal.
Conversely, babies who are given formula milk on a schedule or do not sleep with their mothers may show slower growth. Therefore, it is important for mothers to provide exclusive breastfeeding and monitor their needs well.

Genetics and Nutrition
Genetic factors play an important role in determining your little one's growth pattern. Every baby is born with different growth potential, and this is largely influenced by the genetics of both parents.

For example, if Mom or Dad is tall, maybe the growth pattern of the little one's length will also be faster. In addition to genetics, the nutrition given to him is also very important. Mom must ensure that he gets sufficient and balanced nutrition so that his growth is optimal.

Babies with a fast metabolism, or often called banana babies, will look longer and thinner. They do burn calories faster, so their weight may increase more slowly compared to their length.