Advise

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​​​​​​Advise the parent/carer/child of their child’s growth assessment only if they have provided verbal consent to do so.

Advice about weight status should be accompanied with written and visual information such as a completed BMI-for-age and gender chart for children.

Use positive, non-judgemental language.

​​​​On this page

Advise the parent/carer/child of their child’s/their growth assessment only if they have provided verbal consent to do so.

Advice about weight status should be accompanied with written and visual information such as a completed BMI-for-age and gender chart for children.

Use positive, non-judgemental language.

Introducing the results of the gro​​wth assessment

“By using [child’s name]’s height and weight we can calculate their BMI, and plot it on a growth chart.”

“Growth charts are very useful for us to see whether a child is growing in a healthy way.”

“As you can see, [child’s name]’s weight is in the [green/yellow/red] range.”

If the c​​hild is above or well above a healthy weight

“Ideally, when we look at children at a similar age to [child’s name] we expect them to be growing within the green zone.”

“The yellow zone represents children who are above a healthy weight range. The red zone shows children well above a healthy weight range.”

Prompt​s to promote discussion

“Is this what you expected?”

“Would it be okay if we talked about this? Is now a good time?”

“Do you have any concerns?”

Healthy habits

Children and their families may be visiting you for what they consider a non-weight related health concern. Try to understand if there is a priority health issue for the family and use this as an opportunity to give practical advice

Healthy habits for different age groups offers simple, actionable advice about healthy eating and physical activity to share with families to support their child’s growth, development and wellbeing.

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  • Feeding habits to support healthy growth and development

    • Breastmilk is all a baby needs for the first 6
      If not breastfeeding, use infant formula.
    • Start solids around 6 months
      • Look for signs your baby is ready, like reaching out for food or opening their mouth when you offer food on a spoon.
      • Learn to read your baby’s signs of hunger and fullness. Keep giving them breastmilk and/or infant formula.
    • Offer a variety of foods from the 5 food groups
      • Offer your baby foods with different colours and textures.
      • Start with iron-rich foods like meat, fish, eggs, beans, leafy green vegetables and cereals with added iron.
      • Babies don't need added salt or sugar.
    • Offer drinks from a cup from 6 months
      • Offer expressed breastmilk, infant formula or boiled, cooled water from a cup.
      • It’s good for babies to stop using bottles by 12 months.
    • Set up mealtime routines
      • Offering meals around the same time each day helps set up a routine.
      • Let your child choose if they want to eat, how much, and which foods they want from the ones offered. Eating together can help build healthy eating habits.
    • Brush teeth as soon as they appear
      Brush twice a day with water and a soft infant toothbrush.

    Movement and sleep for a healthy brain and body

    • Babies need plenty of sleep each day.
      Aim for:
      • 0 to 3 months: 14 to 17 hours including naps.
      • 4 to 11 months: 12 to 16 hours including naps.
      Your baby’s mood and wellbeing can be a good way to tell if they are getting enough sleep.
    • Encourage tummy time and play each day
      • ​Start tummy time soon after birth. Aim for 1 to 2 minutes a day in the first few weeks. 
      • Build up to 30 minutes or more throughout the day.
        Playing helps babies move, learn and communicate.
      • ​Try floor play, reaching and grasping for objects and crawling.
      • Limit the time your child is restrained in a stroller, car seat or high chair.
    • No screen time is best for babies
      Reading, singing, puzzles or stories are fun ways to help your baby learn and develop.​

    Discover more healthy habits

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  • Healthy eating gives your child energy to play, grow and learn

    • Offer a variety of foods from the 5 food groups
      • ​Include foods with different colours and textures. With a new food, you might have to offer it many times before they try it. ​
      • Young children don’t need added sugar or salt.
    • Help your child learn to feed themselves with different types of family foods
      Eating and cooking together encourages kids to try new foods and develops social skills.
    • Set up mealtime routines
      • Let your child choose if they want to eat, how much, and which foods they want from the ones offered. 
      • Eating together can help children learn healthy eating habits.
    • You can continue to breastfeed for 12 months or more
      • ​If you’re not breastfeeding, offer your child full fat cow’s milk.
      • After 12 months, they don’t need infant or toddler formula.
    • Drink water and milk from a cup
      • ​Water and milk are best for children’s health and teeth.
      • Aim to stop using bottles by 12 months.
    • Brush teeth in the morning and before bed
      This helps kids grow healthy teeth and gums to smile, eat, talk and socialise.

    Movement and sleep for a healthy brain and body

    • Young children need plenty of sleep to grow, learn and develop
      Aim for 11 to 14 hours of sleep (including naps) each day with a regular bedtime routine.
    • Aim to be active for at least 3 hours each day, including energetic play
      • Movement and play are good for mood and sleep.
        They also help with skills like balance and coordination. 
      • The more active play, the better.
      • Try activities that get the family moving, like dancing or active games.
      • Try not to keep your child restrained for more than an hour at a time, such as in a stroller, car seat or high chair.
    • No screen time is best for young children
      Reading, singing, puzzles or stories are fun ways to help your child learn and develop.

    Discover more healthy habits

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  • Healthy eating gives your child energy to play, grow and learn

    • Start each day with a healthy breakfast
      This helps your child to focus. Healthy options include porridge, low-sugar wholegrain cereal, eggs, wholegrain toast, rice, veggies, fruit and yoghurt.
    • Offer a variety of foods from the 5 food groups
      To support good health, include plenty of vegetables, fruit, cereals and grain foods, dairy or plant-based alternatives with added calcium, and meat, chicken, fish, seafood, eggs, beans/legumes, nuts and seeds.
    • Offer healthy snacks
      Healthy snacks can give kids energy between meals. Try fruit, veggies, nuts, yoghurt or wholegrain bread/crackers and cheese.
    • Drink plenty of water each day
      Water is the best drink for growing minds and bodies. It also helps keep teeth and gums healthy.
    • Eat together when you can
      Sharing and cooking meals together encourages kids to try different healthy foods. It’s also a great way to spend time as a family.
    • Brush teeth in the morning and before bed
      Healthy teeth and gums help us smile, speak, eat and socialise.

    Movement and sleep help with health, mood and focus

    • Be active each day
      • 3 to 5 years: at least 3 hours being active. Including 1 hour of energetic play throughout the day, such as running, jumping and kicking.
      • Try not to keep your child restrained in a stroller, car seat or high chair for more than an hour at a time.
      • 6 to 17 years: at least 1 hour of physical activity that makes the heart beat faster and builds strength. Plus several hours of light physical activity such as walking to school. Include vigorous activities and activities that stengthen muscle and bone at least 3 days per week.
    • Balance screen time and sitting with other activities
      Break up screen time and sitting with activities that help support development.
      Limit screen time to:
      • 3 to 5 years: no more than 1 hour a day.
      • 6 to 17 years: no more than 2 hours a day (not counting school activities).
    • Follow a bedtime routine to help kids get enough sleep.
      Aim for:
      • 3 to 5 years: 10 to 13 hours (including naps) each day.
      • 6 to 13 years: 9 to 11 hours a night.
      • 14 to 17 years: 8 to 10 hours a night.

    Discover more healthy ha​bits

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Conversation ​​starters

Using the healthy habits as conversation starter:

  • “There are some simple things that you and your family can do to support the whole family to be healthy.”
  • “Which of these habits do you do well?”
  • “Are there any of these habits you could work on?”
  • “What are some things you feel you could do as a family?”

Identify if the child, and their family have made any recent changes, recognise their ideas and encourage these!

“That’s great! Keep going with these changes as it does make a big difference to you and/ your family’s health!”

Find examples linking to your area of work or expertise:

  • Example for Asthma
    • “Did you know there is a lot of research that suggests being a healthy weight reduces the symptoms of asthma?”
    • “What do you think your family could try from the healthy habits to help improve some of Ben’s symptoms?”
  • Example for Oral Health
    “Diet and overall health is closely linked with oral health. Reducing sugar sweetened drinks and drinking water instead of soft drink, juice or cordial can benefit both your dental health and overall health.”

What if families are not ready to have a healthy growth and lifestyle discuss​​ion?

Some parents or families may seem hesitant to have a healthy growth and lifestyle discussion. Reassure that growth assessments are conducted on all children. Acknowledge that it’s difficult to live a healthy lifestyle and that many families struggle to maintain good practices.

“As part of routine care we look at the growth of all children, to ensure they are growing well”

“Most families need some assistance to improve healthy lifestyle habits.”

“The world we live in makes it hard for families to make healthy choices all of the time. However, as children are still growing, small changes as a family can make a big difference.”

Above all, it is important to practice good clinical judgement. If the child or family member is still not ready to have a healthy lifestyle discussion, acknowledge this and provide a future opportunity.​​​

Current as at: Thursday 20 February 2025
Contact page owner: Centre for Population Health