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The growth of babies is measured in the following ways:

1. Mass (kg)
2. Length (cm)
3. Head circumference (cm)

The growth of babies in all three of these measurements can be monitored using percentile growth charts.

If a baby is born on the 50^th percentile for height, then in every hundred babies, 50 will be taller and 50 will be shorter. If a baby is born on the 10^th percentile for mass, then in every hundred babies, 90 will be heavier and 10 will be lighter.

Health visitors often visit parents with new babies to take these growth measurements. Health visitors and parents tend to worry more when babies change their position on these charts over time. They would probably be more concerned about a baby that drops from the 50^th to the 10^th percentile than one that remains on the 10th percentile. This change could be an indication of a health problem.