_Do all healthy infants gain steadily in weight during the first
year?_

As a rule they do; yet it is seldom the case that one gains every week
for the entire year. With most infants there are from time to time
periods of a few weeks in which no gain is made. These are more often
seen from the seventh to the tenth month and frequently occur when the
child is cutting teeth, sometimes during very hot weather.

_Is it true that every infant who gains rapidly in weight is thriving
normally?_

Not invariably. Some who are fed upon prepared infant foods increase
rapidly in weight but not in strength, nor in their development in
other respects.

_Is the weight of as much value in the second year as a guide to the
child's condition?_

After the first year, the gain in weight is seldom continuous; there
are many interruptions, some depend on season, and others often occur
without apparent cause.

_At what age should the fontanel close?_

The average is about eighteen months. It seldom closes earlier than
fourteen months, and it should not be open at two years.

_At what age should a child hold up its head?_