As parents or guardians, we have to take measurements of our children and sometimes we take them for different reasons. We take their measurements either to get clothes for them or to monitor their growth. It may seem that taking a child’s measurements could be hectic and difficult but with patience and guidance you can effortlessly take your child’s measurements accurately without having any issue. Right here we are going to show you easy ways and methods on how to take your child’s measurements like a pro without having any issue.
1. MEASURING MATERIALS
Before you start taking your child’s measurements, the first thing you need to do is to gather your measuring materials.
- measuring tape (the type tailors use)
- A paper and pen
2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIME TO TAKE THE MEASUREMENTS
Children can be a little bit difficult to handle sometimes, so it is always better to take their measurements when they are calm, happy and comfortable. Maybe when they have just finished eating or when they are engaged in a calm activity. They will be more cooperative and easy to work with during these periods which will make the whole measuring procedure easy.
3. THEY SHOULD PUT ON LIGHTWEIGHT CLOTH
Make sure that your child is putting on a light weight cloth before you start taking his/her measurements. This is because big cloth can alter the measurement and give you a wrong result. Especially when you are taking the measurements with the purpose of getting a cloth for the child. The cloth will come out to be bigger than the child. So it’s always better to take the measurement when the child is putting on a light cloth or an underwear.
4. MAKE USE OF MEASUREMENT CHART
Measurement charts are like guidelines that help you carry out your child’s measurements with ease. It helps you know what size of cloth to buy based on your child’s body size. It usually comes in a tabular form, and it shows the different measurements with their corresponding sizes.
5. KNOW THE PARTS YOU WANT TO MEASURE AND HOW TO MEASURE THEM
These are the most important parts you have to measure in a child and how to measure them;
- CHEST : Place the tape round the back, under your arm and across the fullest part of the chest.
- WAIST: The waist is the smallest part of the torso, right after the rib cage close to your navel. Place the tape round the waist.
- ARM: When it comes to the arm, we have the arm circumference and arm length. The arm circumference is just basically the biggest part of the upper arm. So you will place your tape round the biggest part of your upper arm to get the right measurement. Then the arm length is usually taken from the shoulder down to your wrist.
- HIPS: The hips are the widest part of the bum and hip area. So you will place your tape round the largest part of the child’s hip area.
- SHOULDER : When you want to take this measurement, you have to place the tape at the tip of one shoulder to the next shoulder.
- THIGH: when taking this measurement, you have to place your tape round the child’s thigh and measure the fullest part of the thigh or laps.
- INSEAM: The inseam is measured from the crotch down to the ankle so you have to place your tape from the crotch to the child’s ankle.
- FULL LENGTH: The child’s full length measurement is taken from the child’s shoulders down to the feet or from the head to feet.
6. DOUBLE- CHECK AND TAKE DOWN THE MEASUREMENT
It is always advisable to do the measurement more than once just to make sure that it is correct.After taking the measurements the next important step to do is to take down records. Taking down the child’s measurements is very important so you would not forget them. Especially when you are monitoring the child’s growth.
7. ALWAYS UPDATE THE CHILD’S MEASUREMENT RECORD
As a child grows, he/she becomes bigger and taller. So you have to always update the child’s measurements record especially when you are monitoring the child’s growth. And to also ensure that you always get the child’s right size of clothes.
CONCLUSION
Taking measurements for a child could be difficult at first. But with practice and patience you will be able to take a child’s measurements without making any mistake. You have to firstly bring out materials that would be used to carry out the measurement. Then secondly, the child has to be comfortable and relaxed to make the whole process easy. Thirdly, make sure that the child is putting on a light weight cloth or an undergarment so that you would get an accurate measurement. Fourthly, measure the areas that you want to measure and do it properly and don’t forget to take records of the measurement. Then lastly, you have to try and make sure that you update the child’s measurement records especially if you are monitoring the child’s growth.
FAQS
**Q1. How often should I measure my child?**
*A1. Every few months is a good idea, especially when they’re growing fast. This way, you’ll know if they need new clothes that fit better.
**Q2. Can I just use a regular ruler instead of a measuring tape?**
*A2.A flexible measuring tape is better because it can easily be wrapped around to measure areas like the waist, hips etc
**Q3. What do I do if my child refuses to say still while taking his/her measurement.
*A3.Try to make it fun and relaxing. Maybe turn it into a game or let them hold the end of the measuring tape.
**Q4. Should I measure my child while they standing or lying down?**
*A4.Standing up is better because it gives you a more accurate idea of their size.
**Q5. How much bigger should clothes be for growth?**
*A5.Leave about an inch or two of extra room in their clothes so they can grow into them.
**Q6. Can I use these measurements for buying shoes too?**
*A6.Nope, shoe sizes are different. You’ll need to measure their feet separately for that.
**Q7. What if I’m still not sure about measuring right?**
*A7.Always feel free to ask for assistance from anybody. Or you could take your child to a professional tailor to take the measurements.