As he leaves infancy behind, a toddler should be constantly moving and growing. A toddler's height and weight are indicators of several things like whether he's getting proper nourishment, his development and his overall health. While some toddlers are picky eaters, others clean their plates at every meal. All toddlers should fall within a certain range in order to considered normal and healthy.
Normal Growth
According to Kids Health, the average weight for a two-year-old is around 27 to 28 pounds; the average height is around 34 inches. Although each child grows at her own pace, an average child will gain about four pounds during this year; she will get three or four inches taller, so it's not uncommon for a child to weigh 23 or 24 pounds and be 30 or 31 inches tall when she turns 2. Another healthy toddler may already weigh 28 pounds on her second birthday.
Measuring Growth
Your child's doctor should be tracking his height and growth at each check-up. However, tracking his progress at home means you don't have to wait until his annual appointment to see how he's growing. To most accurately chart his growth, measure his height, weight and head circumference. Have him stand on a scale; alternately, weigh yourself while holding him and again without him and subtract the difference. Use a flexible tape measure to record his height and around the largest part of his head. Take these measurements every three months to ensure that he's getting slightly larger rather than regressing in size.
Encouraging Growth
A healthy diet is one of the most important factors in a child's growth, but a picky toddler may eat only a few bites at each meal. Feeding her small bites throughout the day may help her eat more overall. A child who is underweight may gain some pounds if you add higher-calories foods into her diet, such as full-fat cottage cheese, whole milk and sliced avocados. On the other hand, a child who is very overweight will benefit from filling, low-calorie foods such as more fruits and vegetables. All toddlers benefit from plenty of physical activity, so take her on daily walks or encourage her to dance to her favorite songs.
Signs of a Problem
If your toddler goes several months without growing or is losing weight without any cause, take him to the pediatrician. According to Baby Center, he may be diagnosed with "failure to thrive" if he weighs 20 percent less than the healthy weight for his height, or if he's in bottom third percentile for weight among children his age. This could mean he needs to eat a healthier diet; in some cases, it could be a sign of larger problems such as heart disease, celiac disease, an endocrine disorder or cystic fibrosis.
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