This Week’s Question:

“How do I know what is normal?”

Dr. Hirsch’s Answer:

This is one of the most common questions parents ask. Is it normal that my baby isn’t sleeping through the night? That my toddler only eats a few foods? That my child is shy, loud, emotional, or clingy?

In pediatrics, the honest answer is often yes, and it depends.

Children don’t develop in straight lines

Development rarely follows a neat schedule. Children grow in bursts, pauses, and leaps. A child may talk early but walk later, sleep well and then suddenly regress, or eat everything one week and almost nothing the next.

These patterns can all fall within normal development. Milestones are guidelines, not exact timelines.

Percentiles are not grades

Hearing “25th percentile” or “above average” can sound concerning, but percentiles simply show where a child falls compared to others their age.

A child in the 10th percentile can be perfectly healthy. A child in the 90th can be as well. What matters most is steady growth over time, not the exact number.

Differences are expected

Sleep, eating, and behavior vary widely. Some children sleep easily, others wake often. Some eat everything, others are selective. Some are outgoing, others take time to warm up.

These differences often reflect temperament and development, not a problem.

Comparison can create worry

It’s natural to compare your child to others, but comparison can make normal differences feel concerning. Two healthy children the same age can look completely different in growth, behavior, and personality.

Different does not mean wrong.

When to check in

It’s worth reaching out if there is loss of skills, no progress over time, extreme difficulty with daily life, or changes that don’t improve. If something feels off, trust your instincts.

Why we sometimes “watch”

When pediatricians recommend watching over time, it is not dismissal. Children change quickly, and many concerns resolve as development catches up. Observation is often the safest approach.

Bottom line

Normal in pediatrics has a wide range. It doesn’t always look calm or predictable.

Most of the time, your child is growing exactly as they should, just in their own way and at their own pace.

Dr. Shari Hirsch, MD, specializes in infant feeding, including expert newborn support, lactation guidance, and frenotomy (tongue-tie release). She also offers emotional wellness care, with guidance and medication management for attention, mood, and anxiety support.

Lev Pediatric Care is located at Evergreen Uptown Mall in Pomona. Their hours are Sunday through Thursday, 10:00 am to 7:45 pm, and Friday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Same-day appointments are available. To schedule, call 845-579-5700. They also provide free car service to and from doctor visits.

Have a question for next week’s column? Send it to Lev Pediatric Care, and Dr. Hirsch may feature it in an upcoming Q&A