Question
Why is my 16-month-old baby growing so slowly? He has been crying a lot lately and doesn’t have much appetite.
Answer
Generally, a 16-month-old baby’s slow growth may be due to a lack of growth hormone or genetic factors. It is recommended that parents take their child for a check-up of growth hormone and bone age. The primary physiological function of growth hormone is to promote the growth of all other tissues except neural tissue. Additionally, it is suggested that parents follow the three meals a day feeding pattern and appropriately increase some supplementary food between the two feedings to promote the baby’s growth and development. Currently, giving the baby three meals of supplementary food might be a bit too much.