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It can be pretty mindblowing to watch our kids grow up — and we’re not just talking about all of the things they learn at a breakneck speed (especially when they’re little). From the time they’re born, it seems like they’re always getting bigger, which isn’t exactly easy on our wallets — it seems like as soon as we buy them new clothes that fit, they’re already outgrowing them!
The good news? Kids do stop growing eventually, but there are a lot of factors that come into play here. Genetics and whether your child is a boy or a girl are just a couple of them.
Remember, all kids are different, and your kiddo is their own unique person with their own growth curve. But if you’re wondering when your wallet will get to relax and stop buying so many clothes — or if you’re worried that your child may not be growing quickly enough — read on.
Growth chart for boys and girls
One of the biggest factors in what your child’s eventual height will be is ultimately whether they’re a boy or a girl. According to Kids Health, girls will usually have a major growth spurt around the ages of 10-14. Their height is tied to puberty; once they get their first period, they’ll likely grow another inch or two before they reach their final adult height. On average, that means they stop growing around the age of 14 or 15.
For boys, it’s a bit different — but puberty is also involved. Their growth spurt comes a bit later than girls do, between the ages of 12–15, and by the age of 16, boys are usually as tall as they’re ever going to be.
As far as average heights go? Genetics (as well as the growth curve your child has been following all along) play into this answer, but the average height for adult women is about 5 feet and 4 inches, and for men, it’s 5 feet and 9 inches.
Seeing slow growth in your child? Issues to look for
Though children grow at all different speeds, many parents worry that their children are growing too quickly or too slowly. According to Kids Health, a child who is significantly taller or shorter than their peers may be suffering from a growth disorder or endocrine disease, so it’s important to talk to your pediatrician if you suspect something is wrong.
While your child is growing, nutrition is key — especially in the earliest months and years of their lives.
“If you have a kid who has been chronically malnourished in the first six months of their life, the damage that is done neurologically is lifelong,” clinical nutrition professor Dr. Charles Mueller told Huffington Post.
It’s also important not to brush off your child’s complaints as “growing pains” if they tell you they’re struggling during what you assume is a growth spurt — sometimes it can end up being something that warrants a doctor’s visit.
“If your gut is telling you this is something more than growing pains, listen to it. Keep pushing for answers until you have them, no matter how long that may take,” mom Leah Campbell told Mom.com.
Can you predict the height of your child?
It can be hard to come up with an exact height that your child will reach in adulthood, but there is a formula that Dr. Joseph Gigante shared with CafeMom that you can use to estimate how tall your kid might be when they’re done growing. You can either double whatever height your child is at age 2, or use the following formula:
- For boys: father’s height + mother’s height + 13, all divided by 2
- For girls: father’s height + mother’s height – 13, all divided by 2
Remember, this is just a prediction — and kids surprise us all the time … in their growth, and in just about every other aspect of our lives as their moms.
If you have any concerns about your child’s growth, feel free to speak to your pediatrician; after all, that’s what they’re there for. In the meantime, enjoy watching your kids grow up. It can be difficult seeing your once tiny baby turn into a full-fledged big kid, but it’s so rewarding to witness it all.
