One way to monitor your child’s growth is by checking their weight from time to time. So, what is the ideal weight for 2 year old and how does it compare to the average?
Although there is an ideal weight for 2 year old at each stage of development, you don’t need to worry too much if your child doesn’t reach that number.
Keep paying attention to their overall health and consult a pediatrician regularly to determine whether it’s still within the normal range.
You can get a clearer picture in the explanation below.
What Is the Ideal Weight for a 2-Year-Old Child?
In terms of weight, the average for a 24-month-old or 2-year-old child is around 12.1 kg for girls and 12.7 kg for boys. These weight standards are based on the World Health Organization (WHO).
Aside from weight, a child’s growth is also usually measured by their height. The average height for a 2-year-old is 85 cm for girls and 86.5 cm for boys.
Has your little one reached that height yet?
At the 2-year checkup, the pediatrician will weigh and measure your child to make sure their growth is following a healthy upward curve on the growth chart.
By doing these regular checkups, you can detect early on if your child hasn’t reached their ideal weight.
This can also help you find solutions more quickly to address it.
What If My Child’s Weight Is Below or Above the Ideal?
A 2-year-old’s weight being below or above the ideal can be influenced by many factors.
Most often, this happens because your child is burning more calories than they’re consuming. This is especially common if your little one is a picky eater. But don’t worry too much—this phase usually passes as they grow.
If your child’s weight is below average, it’s often normal and can improve with age. However, sometimes weight loss may signal an underlying medical issue. That’s why it’s important to consult a pediatrician, especially if:
- Your child eats well but isn’t gaining weight
- They have digestive problems or other health concerns
Through a medical checkup, you can quickly find out if there’s a serious condition that needs treatment, and you’ll also receive the best guidance to support your child’s growth.
On the other hand, if your child is overweight, you should also be cautious.
Excess weight at an early age can increase the risk of long-term health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Overweight children are also more likely to remain overweight into adulthood.
To monitor this, parents can use a BMI calculator for kids to check if their child is overweight or obese. Detecting it early helps you guide your child toward a healthier weight.
Unlike adults, children are still growing, which means they need enough energy for development. The goal isn’t always to make them lose weight—often, simply maintaining weight while they grow taller is enough for them to move closer to a healthy weight.
Still, if your child’s BMI indicates excess weight, it’s important to encourage healthy eating habits and regular physical activity to support balanced growth.
What Are the Factors That Influence a 2-Year-Old’s Weight?
Would you like me to list out the main factors (e.g., genetics, diet, activity level, health conditions, sleep) in a clear bullet-point format? That way, parents can easily see what might be affecting their child’s weight.
Several factors can influence a child’s weight at this age, including genetics, birth timing, sex, fluid intake such as breast milk or formula, and even hormones.
1. Genetic Factors
The biggest factor affecting a child’s weight and height is genetics.
Traits from either the mother’s or father’s side can be passed down to the child. In addition, a child’s general genetic makeup also influences growth.
Certain genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome, Noonan syndrome, or Turner syndrome, also play a role.
2. Birth Timing
Did you know that the timing of delivery can also affect a child’s weight?
Babies born past their due date tend to grow larger than average.
On the other hand, premature babies will usually grow smaller.
Similarly, twins often have lower birth weights because they are more likely to be born earlier than expected.
3. Sex
A boy’s and girl’s weight cannot be compared, even if they are the same age.
Baby girls are usually born lighter than boys. The same applies to height differences as they grow.
4. Breast Milk or Formula Intake
In the first year, breastfed babies gain weight more slowly than formula-fed babies.
For the first few months, breastfed babies actually grow faster, but this changes around the age of 3 months.
By the age of 2, however, the weights of breastfed and formula-fed babies tend to even out.
5. Hormones
Hormones also play a role in a child’s physical growth.
If your child has a hormone imbalance, such as low growth hormone or thyroid levels, their growth may slow down.
6. Health Conditions
If your child has chronic illnesses such as cancer, kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, or any condition that affects their ability to eat or absorb nutrients (like digestive issues), their growth may slow down.
As a result, their weight gain may differ from peers.
In addition, certain medications, such as regular corticosteroid use, can also slow growth.
7. Sleep Patterns
A baby’s growth spurts are linked to increased sleep duration.
One study found that longer sleep directly increases the likelihood of faster growth.
In fact, growth spurts often occur within 48 hours after extra sleep.
Originally published on theAsianparent Indonesia
