A new set of growth charts for newborn babies and children up to four years old have been released by the Department of Health. The new charts are based on the growth of breastfed babies and replace current measures which are based predominately on babies fed with formula milk. 

The new charts, developed by the World Health Organization and produced for the UK by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, will play an important role in establishing breastfeeding as the norm and will be included in the Personal Child Health Records, which parents of every newborn are given. They will help parents and health-care professionals to identify children at early risk of obesity and provide important reassurance for parents of breast-fed babies, who are likely to gain weight more slowly.

The new charts include parent-friendly instructions and a chart specifically for premature babies. As babies can lose and gain weight at different rates during birth and two weeks, it is recommended that they are not measured during this time.

Dr Sheila Shribman, National Clinical Director for Children, Young People and Maternity at the Department of Health said,

"The new UK-WHO growth charts will not only provide more accurate measurements for infant growth of breastfed babies, but will also help healthcare professionals and parents to identify early signs of overweight or obesity and provide support."