The World Health Organization (WHO) is in the process of updating the pediatric growth charts. The outdated charts will be replaced with the new one
The World Health Organization (WHO) is in the process of updating the pediatric growth charts. The outdated charts will be replaced with the new one, which will present the rates at which the babies are supposed to grow, in a more accurate form.
The 20-year old charts are said to be based on growth patterns of babies fed formula-milk. The revision is based on growth data from breast-fed babies who tend to grow slower, reports foodconsumer.org.For the one-year-olds, the current charts suggest the standard weights fall between 22.5 and 28.5 pounds. The breast-fed babies actually weigh anywhere between 22.5 and 26 pounds.
The interesting thing is, how could the world health authority set the weight standards based on the growth data from formula-fed babies 20 years ago? It seems WHO took the formula-feeding as the standard feeding method for babies.
American pediatricians recommend breast-feeding babies for up to 12 months or even longer should either the mother or the child so desires. Breastfeeding is known to offer many health benefits to the babies for their later lives.
