Why are some children taller than others in their class?

[Fiona2011231]

As you may notice in your own area, some children are (much) taller than others in their class.

Usually, is it because of their genes or is there something that we can learn from so that we can help our own children grow taller?

For example, some say drinking milk helps children taller.

Thanks,

Red book predicts dd to be 5ft 6. She's already 5ft 7, just going into size 9 shoes.
She's 11.
Tips for curbing expensive growing daughter welcome

Dutch cattle don’t get growth hormones, that’s banned across the EU. There are several theories about why Dutch people are taller. Large amounts of dairy is one, but the kraamzorg system is also a contributing factor. Basically everyone in the country gets someone coming to their house every day for a minimum of a few hours. They ensure everyone knows and implements proper baby care. So basically every child gets a good start in life.

The red book doesn't predict anything. It gives a probability range. It helps parents and health workers check if a child's growth is outside the expected range.

Cancer risk is less in smaller people though and being very tall can effect life expectancy so there is a silver lining to the disadvantages of being small. In reality we should embrace genetic diversity.

Genetics, lots of time outdoors (especially in the sunshine) exercise everyday and a healthy, balanced diet.

My dd is very tall for her age (and slim) but it's no surprise, her father is 6ft5inch.

Dd has an afternoon nap everyday until 3.5years old and slept 11+ hours at night, I think the sleep facilitated growth spurts.

Marry a nice tall man

This does work. I'm 5'2", all my family are short. My ex is 6'6" and all his family are 6 foot plus including his mother. DS was taller than me aged 10 and my six year old is heading that way too - he's the youngest in his class but the second tallest.

A high protein diet.

The Japanese population grew taller when they ate less rice and more protein.

My mother often claims I am short because I became vegetarian aged 12. I point out that no woman in our family is taller than 5' 4" and my Dad is considered tall at 5'10" in his family. So I was hardly going to be six feet tall if only I ate meat, was I?

Thank you. Do you think drinking milk every day can help children grow taller, or is it a myth?

Myth. My dp drinks tonnes of milk and is only 152cm (5ft)! It's just genetics.

My mum is 5'4 and my dad was 6'2. I am 6'1 and my brother is 6'5. DH is 6'4.
In my families case I think it isn't a surprise that my daughters are the tallest in their classes: DDs are 9 (5'1) and 7 (4'6).

@SuziQ10 - just saw your post - mine were champion sleepers as babies too - my youngest would often have a 2.5-3hr nap and then sleep 12 hours at night

Nutrition certainly plays apart. Main reason on average people are bigger in all ways than 100 years ago.

There's studies into how obesity in childhood affects height. (Or at least one study - read a synopsis of it!). Children who are obese grow taller younger (the faster growth in height does not occur in teenage years).

Being tall is overrated. I struggle with trousers, skirts and dresses. Tops and jacket length/sleeves. You get asked to reach things in the supermarket. You have to pick a car around your height.
I wasn’t tall as a child. When I was in the last years in high school I shot up.
My dds are both tall, and have long legs. Dh I’d only an inch taller than me.

My mum always says she was cheated, as she married a tall man but didn't get tall children. My Dad is 6ft 1 and she is 5 ft5 but I'm only 5ft4 and my brother is only 5ft8.

Incidentally my red book prediction didn't have me even reaching 5 foot so I did pretty well compared to that.

I had read that about Blue Whales too so i made sure we got a nice, tall-ceilinged, place to raise my DC.

My daughter is short. She is 2”10. I am four feet something. My partner is a head taller than me.

DD is a good head taller than her peers and wouldn't go near a glass of milk. DH is very tall. I was made to drink milk every day as a child and am a total short arse.

Genetics and a proper sleep routine. Kids grow when they sleep. I think Americans keep their kids up late I've never seen such tiny children

Its strange isn't it. I am 5.3, H is 5.11. So very average, with me being a shorty. But both our children are the tallest in their classes. I have wondered lots to why.

I breastfed both exclusively for 6 months then weaned normally, no jars though. Other than that normal.

Our kids must be anomalies 😂 Tallest in their class, appalling sleep patterns, refuse to eat dairy. DH is tall though, and I’m average.