A serial record of height and weight of a child is the best way of knowing that a child is growing well. This can be done by maintaining a growth chart. A growth chart for children upto 2-3 years of age shows a serially maintained record of a child’s weight, length and head size (circumference) in comparison with the normal range for the child’s age and sex. For a child older than 2 years growth charts show serial recordings of child’s height and weight. Since a child grows very fast during first two years of life, his growth should be assessed at every opportunity. This is done conveniently during the visits for routine immunisation and other visits to the doctor. A 3 monthly record during the first two years is ideal. Subsequently, since the rate of growth slows, measurement of weight and height taken twice during an year and duly recorded on the growth chart suffice to give a good indication about the child’s growth.
It is important to realise that there is a wide range of weight and height that is considered normal for children of same age. Some children are genetically and constitutionally shorter or lighter, while others are taller/ heavier. However, the rate of growth of all healthy children at various ages is similar. If the rate of growth is slower than expected for age, the child needs to be evaluated by a doctor. A well maintained growth chart helps in early detection of growth faltering.

Most infants don't need solid food before 6 months because they receive all the nutrients they need from breast milk or formula. However, your pediatrician may recommend you start sooner if your baby shows signs that she's ready, such as mimicking your mouth movements while watching you eat or grabbing your food. If she doesn't seem interested at 6 or 7 months, don't try to force-feed her. The most important goal is to encourage the development of a healthy attitude toward food. Whenever you start your child on solids, begin with foods that are the least allergenic and the closest to breast milk and formula in taste and consistency, such as mashed bananas or rice cereal. Use your finger to put a little banana on your baby's lips, then let her suck your finger. Once she's introduced to the new taste, gradually increase the amount and watch her facial expressions. If the food goes in, accompanied by a smile, she's ready and willing. If it comes back out with a grimace or if she turns her head away, try again in a couple of weeks.
For breastfeeding babies, it's best to offer solids at the end of the day, when your milk supply is usually lowest. (Formula-fed babies can eat at any time.) And remember that feeding isn't just about giving nutrition. It's a perfect opportunity to interact and connect with your baby.

Parents to decide what the child will eat and when the child will eat (same time as that of the rest of the family and what everyone eats – barring spices & low-calorie foods) and child will decide how much to eat. Every child has a natural ability to sense when he/she is hungry and when full. Don’t we remember ‘demand feeding’ in a new-born? The demand is their feeling of hunger. Discipline the child. I tell parents (and grand parents, if they are around) to control their love for 2-3 days for larger gains. They are told to STOP coaxing the child to eat. At breakfast they have to ask ‘we are having break fast, you want to eat?’. Child says no. ‘fair enough; but lunch is at 1 and you won’t get anything till then.’ Repeat the same at lunch and say ‘fine. You will only get a banana at 5 pm’. Everybody involved has to ensure that child doesn’t get anything in between. Child should feel the hunger and how it feels to be hungry for few hours. No child can bear hunger beyond one day and if the hunger can last two days – something is medically wrong. Most mothers have a beaming smile when they report, “Rohan asked for food!” Believe me it is not barbaric.
Children (even toddlers) can enjoy a wide variety of foods. It is up to us how to encourage them to enjoy family meals and make them try a wide range of foods, with varying tastes, colours, textures and flavours. Catch them young applies more to eating than sports.
Remember, a parent’s role is to decide what and when to offer meals, but if the child is allowed to decide whether or not to eat and how much to eat, peace prevails.

As a general medical practitioner, a pediatrician may see children from birth to adolescence and treat everything from ear infections to broken bones. Neonatologists, on the other hand, generally care only for newborn babies to babies aged one-year.

A neonate is also called a newborn. The neonatal period is the first 4 weeks of a child's life.