A mom of two went viral after posting a video highlighting the unexpected contrast in size between her toddler son and baby daughter.
Sarah, who lives in Michigan, took to her TikTok, sarrosegundrum, to show how different her two kids are. While her son, Luca, is 3, he ranks in the 1st percentile for his age.
Percentiles are used to provide parents with an indicator of how their child’s height, weight or head circumference compares to that of other kids of the same age and sex.
In the case of Luca, being in the 1st percentile indicates he is among the smallest children for his age, though it is important to stress he is within a healthy range.
The unexpected contrast comes into sharp focus on Sarah’s video when she then introduces her 10-month-old daughter Lily into the mix.
As an onscreen caption explains, Lily ranks in the 95th percentile for babies her age, meaning she is among the largest in her age group. Again, it is important to stress she is at a healthy weight and size for a child of her age.
TikTok/sarrosegundrum
Regardless of this, the sight of Lily sitting on Luca’s lap is an amusing contrast and one that their mom Sarah is evidently aware of.
As KidsHealth, the online resource for physician-reviewed information and advice on children’s health and parenting issues, explains: “Healthy children come in all shapes and sizes, and a baby who is in the 5th percentile can be just as healthy as a baby who is in the 95th percentile.”
“Ideally, each child will follow along the same growth pattern over time, growing in height and gaining weight at the same rate, with the height and weight in proportion to one another,” it said.
“This means that usually a child stays on a certain percentile line on the growth curve. So if our 4-year-old boy on the 10th percentile line has always been on that line, he is continuing to grow along his pattern, which is a good sign.”
The contrasts showcased in Sarah’s video are not uncommon.
At the time of writing, her clip has been watched over 3.9 million times on TikTok, with many fellow parents taking to the comments section to share similar experiences and offer words of encouragement.
“My son is in the 100th percentile just turned 6 years old & 110 lbs,” one wrote. Another said: “My daughter is in the 100th percentile, just celebrated her 5th birthday and she’s 5’0, 133 lbs. My beautiful girl.”
A third added: “My son measured one-three weeks ahead at every ultrasound. Weighed 9lb3oz. He’s been in the ‘100th percentile’ since he was 6 months. 18 months he was 35lbs & 34.”
Sarah’s video might have provided a laugh or two, but it also helped bring parents together and provide a reminder that while kids are all different but each and every one is beautiful.
Newsweek reached out to Sarah for comment.