Newborn is only 17 inches long?

Question

When my daughter was born a few days ago, I was never told her height/length, but when I took her in for her weight check today I noticed that on her medical chart she was 43.5cm which equals about 17.1 inches. I've never seen a baby under 18.5 inches at full-term (born at 39wks 6days). I'm not worried about it,  just curious to know if it's common.

Answer

My nephew was almost 17 inches (just under) and only 5 pounds. Both his parents are very short themselves though. Every baby is different. He is now 3 and a few months behind my son and the height difference between the two is astronomical but it's all about genetics. My husband is super tall and so far my son seems to be taking after him.

Answer

I was 17 inches when I was born, and I'm still kinda shorter lol. I wouldn't worry about it

Answer

My first was like 17.5 inches long at a week overdue. He is 4 now and in the 80th percentile for height. Some babies just aren’t very long!

Answer

I jus had my son last Wednesday at 35 weeks and 6 days, he was 17 1/2 inches long

Answer

Genetics are fun. My son was born premie at 36 weeks but was still 18.25” long. I assume if he had gone to full term+ that he would have been over 20” long as everyone on both sides was born at around 21”-23”.
But I also know someone who is 4’11” at 30 years old and whose baby was born at around 3.5lbs and 16.5” (or close to, don’t remember exact decimals). Otherwise, baby was perfectly healthy and was born at 42 weeks, vaginal birth, everything was normal, she was just… small 🤷🏻‍♀️ but her mom was also small. And her mom was also small. Everyone assumed baby would be “big” because dad was 6’2”, and her baby bump was HUGE in comparison to her tiny frame. But nope! Like mother, like daughter lol.

Answer

My nephew was 17 inches when he was born. He was full term too. He’s 15 and still on the shorter side but his dad is also short for a guy.

Newborn is only 17 inches long?

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