New born breast fed babies' growth pattern will become the benchmark against which the growth of babies will be measured. This will indeed mark a sea change from the practice of almost 4 decades, where babies have always been measured against a growth chart formulated on the growth pattern portrayed by formula- fed babies.

It is well known that bottle-fed children grow at a quicker rate as compared to breast fed infants and this makes them prone to becoming overweight and developing conditions like diabetes.

Now, doctors feel that it would be a healthier option to measure children with the growth yardstick provided by a breast fed baby. A growth chart based on the growth of around 8000 breast fed babies world over, is being compiled and will be released by the WHO next week.