What should you know about criteria for failure to thrive?

A clinician reviews weight, length or height, and head growth over time using age-appropriate growth charts. Concern may arise when growth slows, measurements cross down through expected chart lines, or weight does not keep pace with length. One small measurement can reflect normal variation or an inaccurate technique, so the trend matters.

Assessment also covers feeding frequency, swallowing, vomiting, diarrhoea, food access, family stress, development, activity, and signs of chronic illness. Causes can include feeding difficulty, absorption problems, increased nutritional needs, or an environment that makes feeding hard. The label does not blame a parent or predict a child's future.

Arrange a child health consultation if growth or feeding is worrying you. Bring vaccination and medical records, a list of medicines, and a short diary of feeds, portions, vomiting, stools, and wet nappies. Do not force-feed or start concentrated supplements without professional advice, because these can worsen feeding distress or be unsuitable for the child.

Continue calm, regular meals or feeds and offer age-appropriate nourishing foods. Follow the clinician's plan, which may include feeding support, treatment for an underlying problem, or review of growth after an agreed interval.

Seek urgent help if a child is difficult to wake, struggling to breathe, repeatedly vomiting, showing signs of dehydration, has blood in vomit or stool, or is rapidly becoming weaker. Prompt medical review is needed when a baby feeds poorly, has markedly fewer wet nappies, loses weight, or is not meeting expected developmental skills. Contact the child's clinician sooner if feeding causes choking, coughing, pain, or prolonged distress.

Ask: What does the growth trend show? Could feeding, digestion, development, or another illness be involved? How much and how often should my child eat? Would a dietitian or feeding specialist help? When should growth be measured again?