When Do Boys Stop Growing? Growth Factors, Timing & More

If you’re a new parent and have been blessed with a boy, then you probably have some questions about their growth and what to expect. 

Seeing your baby boy grow up right before your eyes is an incredible experience, and when you know exactly how they are supposed to grow and develop, it erases a lot of the unnecessary worry that can come along with early parenthood. Besides, you’ll know when to go shopping for new clothes and make sure every onesie, shirt, and pair of pants fit perfectly at every stage of growth.

Below you will find all the details needed to track your son’s growth and monitor his progress on a reliable timeframe that experts support.

Keep in mind that a boy’s growth will happen over an extended period during puberty, so there won’t be an exact time when he will stop growing. However, we will cover everything you can expect during these years and give you a pretty good idea of when your boy has stopped growing.  

Early Child Development for Boys

Prior to the age of ten, girls and boys grow at the same rate, more or less. It’s the influence of hormones - namely testosterone and estrogen - that impact varying growth rates once they hit the “double-digit” age mark. 

The Merck Manual literature and growth charts can be one of your primary sources of information when navigating these early stages. Weighing and measuring your boy at this time will help you make sure he’s on track for proper development and give you some hints on when to expect growth spurts. 

This information will also help you when selecting clothes for your boy and ensuring you get the most use out of every garment you buy. 

Remember to plan ahead and avoid dressing your boy in clothes that are even slightly too small, since this can cause discomfort or disrupt healthy growth. 

When Does Puberty Begin?

Puberty will begin and end at various times for different boys. There is no exact science as to the age when it will start. We do know that once puberty starts, it can last between 2 to 5 years. 

Your son will experience many changes during this timeframe, and he may have questions or feel embarrassed about what is happening to his body. This is completely normal!

When it comes to growing and starting puberty, boys tend to fall behind the girls by 1 to 2 years. So if your son looks shorter than girls of his age, you should not be concerned. 

Puberty for boys typically begins to show around the age of 12 years old. However, it can start as early as eight years old or as late as 14 years old. Again, each boy will experience puberty differently. 

Within 1 to 2 years after your son starts puberty, you will see the fastest growth rate, so stock up on extra milk and cereal! In order to keep up with his quickly-growing body, aim to stock up on just a few high-quality clothing items and shoes, since he’ll grow out of them pretty quickly. 

When Will Your Son Stop Growing Taller

Your son will probably stop getting taller by the time he turns 16 years old, and he should be fully developed by the age of 18. This can vary slightly, but these are the average numbers.    

Genetic Factors 

Yes, genes do play a role in how tall your son will get. If you look at the parental height, you will get a pretty good idea of how tall a boy will get. 

If you want a rough estimate, you can do the following:

• Take the father and mother’s height in inches and add them together
• Now divide that number in half (by 2)
• Simply add 2.5 inches to get the estimated height of your fully grown boy

There is no way to predict precisely how tall your son will get, but this method is a decent indicator of what to expect. 

Your family doctor will probably use a graph to follow your son’s growth curve and be able to give you an estimated final height number.

The exception for expected growth in boys happens when genetic conditions or chronic illnesses are factored in. Then your son might be shorter as an adult than previously expected. 

Growth is just one factor that is affected by genetics. A boy's weight gaining tendencies, metabolism rate and other factors are hereditary. Genes are seen as the most important factor in a baby’s growth. 

Average Height for Boys

Depending on what country you are located in, the average height will differ for boys throughout the world. In America, an adult male will have an average size of 5’9” (70.8”).

It should be noted that average numbers are calculated based on a group of individuals and then dividing the total amount of height by the number of people used in the study. Since no specific science is used to determine ‘average’ numbers, it’s vital to understand that all individuals grow at a different rate and top out at various heights. 

If your child ends up being 5’7” and is perfectly healthy, then you have nothing to worry about! The smaller other people in your family are, the more likely your son will be shorter than the average number.  

What Can Impair Growth Rates in Boys?

There are a few different factors that could impact the growth rate of your son. This can include improper diet, chronic conditions, illnesses, and even some medications that can limit or slow the growth process.  

There can also be an imbalance in his hormones that might speed up his growth cycle or slow it down. If your son is experiencing any of the following, you will want to seek medical advice:

• His growth is much faster or slower than anticipated 
• Your son is growing extremely tall while having short parents 
• He is taller or shorter than kids in his age group
• Your son has not begun puberty by the age of 14 

A medical professional can review all of the above to rule out any unusual circumstances for unexpected growth issues. 

How Can You Help Your Son’s Growth? 

The best way to ensure your son’s potential growth is to teach him about living a healthy lifestyle and leading by example. Providing him with proper nutrition from healthy foods is the most critical factor in development.

You will also want to make sure he is getting enough sleep every night and regular exercise. Keeping your child active is a key measure that all doctors encourage. 

Always reassure your son that his growth is normal and that he can ask whatever questions he wants without being judged or punished. It’s important to support your child through puberty; they are already experiencing significant body changes that can be confusing to them.   

Conclusion 

Watching your newborn child grow into a strong and healthy kid is one of the great joys of parenthood! Knowing what to expect as your boy begins growing and entering the puberty years is considered smart parenting, as well. 

It also allows you to purchase sustainably made high-quality clothes that your child won’t grow out of in a month because you now have a timeline of the expected growth spurts! When those clothes are too small, be sure to donate or dispose of them properly to do your part for the earth.    

Sources:

Growth and Your 13- to 18-Year-Old (for Parents) | Nemours KidsHealth.

Physical Growth of Infants and Children | Children's Health Issues | Merck Manuals

When Do Boys Stop Growing? Median Height, Genetics & More | Healthline