Growth, Development and Nutrition

What does percentile (growth chart) mean?

A percentile (a ranking on the height–weight growth chart) shows where your child's height and weight stand among 100 children of the same age. For example, a child at the 25th percentile is shorter/lighter than about 25 of 100 children of the same age, and taller/heavier than 75.

Starting solid foods

Solid foods are usually started at 6 months. Signs that the baby is ready: sitting with little or no support, holding the head up steadily, a weaker reflex of pushing food out of the mouth with the tongue, and showing interest in food.

• New foods are tried one at a time, 2–3 days apart — so that if there is a reaction, you can tell which food caused it.
• Texture is increased gradually; by 8–10 months, finger foods (small pieces the baby can hold and eat) are introduced. Delaying the move to thicker textures can increase picky eating later on.
• No honey before age 1 (because of the risk of infant botulism).
• No added salt or sugar in food. Sugary drinks and fruit juices are not recommended.
• Because of the risk of choking, foods such as whole nuts and peanuts, whole grapes and hard carrot slices are not given whole to young children.
• There is no need to delay allergenic foods (such as eggs and peanuts); they are tried in turn like other foods.

“My child won't eat anything”

After age 1, the rate of growth naturally slows down, and the appetite of babyhood decreases along with it. Picky eating is very common between ages 2 and 5 and is temporary in most children. This approach works:

• Sharing the roles: the family decides what food is offered and when it is offered; the child decides how much to eat.
• Cutting out constant snacking between meals and sugary drinks clearly increases appetite at main meals.
• Daily milk intake should not exceed 500 ml; too much milk both fills the child up and reduces iron absorption.
• Not using food as a reward or punishment, and not forcing the child to eat.
• A new food may need to be offered many times (sometimes 10–15 times) before it is accepted.
• No screens on during meals.

If the growth curve is normal, the worry that the child "eats too little" is usually unnecessary. If weight gain has stalled or the child is dropping below their own line, an assessment is needed.

Iron deficiency

It is the most common nutritional deficiency in children in Türkiye. It does not only cause anemia; it can also show up as poor appetite, tiring quickly, irritability, poor attention and frequent infections. Under the Turkish Ministry of Health programme, babies receive iron drops from 4 months until age 1, checked with a blood count at 9 months. After age 1, eating red meat, legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas) and green leafy vegetables regularly is important; eating them together with foods containing vitamin C (lemon, orange, peppers) increases absorption.

Vitamin D

It is needed for bone development; a deficiency leads to softening of the bones (rickets). Under the Turkish Ministry of Health programme, all babies receive 400 IU (3 drops) a day from birth until age 1, free of charge. After age 1, children who are covered up by their clothing, get little sun or are overweight continue to be assessed for deficiency.