Delayed growth involves poor or abnormally slow gains in weight or height in a child younger than 5 years old.

See also: Short stature

A child should be taken in to see the health care provider on a regular basis for well-baby checkups.

See the following for more information:

• Infant - newborn development
  • Developmental milestones record - 2 months
  • Developmental milestones record - 4 months
  • Developmental milestones record - 6 months
  • Developmental milestones record - 9 months
  • Developmental milestones record - 12 months
• Toddler development
  • Developmental milestones record - 18 months
  • Developmental milestones record - 2 years
  • Developmental milestones record - 3 years
  • Developmental milestones record - 4 years
  • Developmental milestones record - 5 years

Delayed or slower-than-expected growth can be caused by many different things, including genetics, nutrition, infections, chronic diseases, and psychosocial health. Many children with delayed growth also have delays in development.

See also: Failure to thrive

For slow weight gain caused by a lack of calories, try feeding the child on demand and increasing the sucking time. Also, prepare formula exactly according to directions. Do not dilute ready-to-feed formula, and try increasing the amount offered to the child.