One of the biggest rewards of parenting is seeing your child mature and grow. When your child is still under a year old, he will grow (both in length and weight) faster than at any other point. It can be difficult to predict where the growth will occur, but the timing of baby growth spurts tends to follow a pattern.
As your child goes through the growth spurts in his first year, you should expect them to lead to disruptions in feeding and sleeping, so be prepared to deal with them.
What Are Growth Spurts?
Baby growth spurts are sudden increases in the rate of growth of your infant that will be linked with increased feedings. Most of the time, these growth spurts will only last two or three days, but it still feels as if you need to feed your baby constantly at this point. The best way to deal is to simply plan ahead and have someone help you.
When you breastfeed, growth spurts also increase your milk supply, so always continue breastfeeding during these spurts of growth when possible, especially if your child is a newborn.
When Do Baby Growth Spurts Happen?
Every baby is slightly different, but most have growth spurts at around the same time. These include:
- Within their first days at home
- 7 to 10 days old
- 2 to 3 weeks
- 4 to 6 weeks
- 3 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
Don’t expect your baby’s growth spurts to stop after they reach a year old. Most of the time, they will occur every several months when he/she is a toddler. After that, they only happen periodically until he ends his teenage years.
What Are the Signs of Baby Growth Spurts?
1. A Bottomless Stomach
One of the biggest signs of a growth spurt is a sudden and large increase in your child’s appetite. He/she will want to feed much more frequently than normal as he/she needs more calories at this point. As a bonus for you, it helps increase your milk supply if you are breastfeeding.
2. Restless Nights
Infants also tend to be awake at night more often during a growth spurt and this is true even if they have already adjusted to sleeping for 5 or 6 hours at a time. They tend to wake up in the middle of the night for more feedings.
3. Irritability
Most babies going through a growth spurt will also be crankier at this time. This is because of the large number of night time feedings that keep them up at night. Babies need rest in order to function and get cranky without it just like adults do.
4. Sleeping a Lot
Although babies tend to lack sleep right before a growth spurt to get the needed calories, the opposite is true afterwards. When your baby has enough calories, expect him to sleep extra for the next few days. He will sleep more often and more soundly so they can grow. Interestingly, boys usually will sleep for longer amounts of times, while girls will take more naps.
Want to learn more about the signs of baby growth spurts? Check out the video below:
How to Cope With Baby Growth Spurts
|
Methods |
Descriptions |
|---|---|
|
Walk to check fullness |
It is common for mothers to wonder if their baby has had enough milk, especially during a growth spurt. The best way to check is to try taking a walk after the feeding. If your baby falls asleep afterwards, then he/she is probably full. If he/she keeps fussing or crying, then assume he/she is still hungry. |
|
Don’t worry |
Some moms worry that the increased feedings are due to a low milk supply. To rule this out, simply weigh your baby both before and after you feed him/her. You can get a scale, use a kitchen scale for smaller babies, or take your baby to the clinic. |
|
Don’t supplement |
No matter how tempting it is, don’t supplement your breast milk with formula during a growth spurt. It will decrease your body’s milk supply. |
|
Use a sling |
During a growth spurt, your baby will want to be fed more frequently or for longer. To make life easier for yourself, carry him/her around with you in a sling. You can even nurse while doing something else. |
|
Eat more |
If your baby is drinking more breast milk, it only stands to reason that your body will be working harder than normal to keep up with milk production. Don’t be surprised if you feel hungry or thirsty more often when your child is going through a growth spurt, and always listen to your body’s cues. |
|
Breast milk supply |
Anytime that you are breastfeeding, your supply will be affected by how much demand there is. When your baby breastfeeds more often, expect your body to produce more milk to help keep up. |
|
Do not give up breastfeeding |
Some moms notice that their babies are hungrier or crankier than usual and become concerned that they should stop breastfeeding. Never give in to this temptation as your breast milk supply will increase to keep up with your child’s demands. In fact, this is how your body adapts to produce enough milk for the future. |
If You Are Concerned
- If you are concerned, pay close attention to weight gain and your baby’s diapers. As long as he/she is gaining weight and using five to six diapers each day, your baby is fine. In a short amount of time, the hunger pangs will stop signaling the end of the growth spurt and a return to normalcy.
- If you still feel concerned, talk to or visit your baby’s doctor for a weight check. It will be a quick process that can give you the necessary confidence in your baby’s new growth.