Are you noticing changes in your baby’s eating, sleeping, and mood patterns? It seems that your little one is growing and changing rapidly! Infants’ growth appears to be exceptionally fast during their first year of life and sometimes, everything looks as though you’re on a roller coaster ride.
What can you read in this article?
- What is a baby growth spurt?
- When do baby growth spurts happen?
- Baby growth spurt signs
- How to deal with baby’s growth spurt?
- Baby growth spurt and leaps
Just when you feel like you’re having a regular feeding and sleeping routine with your baby, your newborn can sometimes suddenly change course.
He clamours for food most of the time and acts as if he’s insatiable even when he’s done. He becomes so irritable and an insomniac at times.
Then just as quickly, everything seems to be back to normal. Did someone give you a heads up regarding these changes? Are you up for this roller-coaster ride to baby growth spurts?
What happens during a baby’s growth spurt? When does this happen? And how will you know if your child is experiencing its signs? Read more to know everything about baby growth spurt and be equipped in dealing with these changes.
Baby growth spurt
Let’s begin by knowing what a growth spurt really means.
Growth spurts is a time during which a baby experiences short bursts of a rapid increase in height and weight. Babies tend to gain triple their birth weight and increase an average of 10 inches (25 centimetres) in height.
Before infants undergo a growth spurt, it is noticeable that they are slowly gaining weight and eventually, this shoots up growth spurt.
During this short period of time of intense and rapid growth, it is noticeable that your baby really did outgrow all his newborn outfits over the night. You are not imagining things, moms and dads! It is normal during this phase.
When do baby growth spurts happen?
These developmental leaps, or baby growth spurts, occur with relative frequency according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. For instance, most young babies experience growth spurts every few weeks, or months.
But take note that every child is different. Clare Bush, M.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Columbia University Medical Center says that it is impossible to say if or when these growth spurts will occur.
Baby growth spurts may happen any time during his or her first year. Even so, some experts believe that baby growth spurts are more likely to occur at certain points such as:
- 1 to 3 weeks
- 6 to 8 weeks
- 3 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
Baby growth spurt signs
Here are the most common signs of a baby growth spurt:
1. Your baby is hungry more often
“Everything is revved up in the first year of life. The metabolism is quick, the frequency of needing feeds is quick,” says Dr. Joshua May, a pediatric endocrinologist at Los Angeles Medical Center at Kaiser Permanente.
“Those calories are going toward growth, whether it be building reserves of fat cells or building muscle or—with the help of hormones—actually physically changing the structure of bones.”
During your baby’s growth spurt, you might notice that he’s turning into an insatiable creature—wanting to be fed around the clock. He may show signs of increased hunger by appearing restless, crying a lot, sucking on his hands, or sticking out his tongue.
For breastfed infants, this could mean nursing him more often, up to 18 times in 24 hours. For babies who are formula-fed, he might ask for another bottle after finishing one.
From nursing him eight times a day, he may now go for 12 to 14 times a day. Older babies will also want to be nursed more and increase their intake of solid foods if they are eating such.
Image from Shutterstock
2. Your baby’s sleeping pattern change
Sleep has an important role in the production of growth hormones. Before and during baby growth spurt, you will notice that he sleeps more than usual.
It’s a sign that your baby channels his energy into growing. Although some parents claim that their babies wake up more often at night, wake up earlier, or have a shorter nap time. This may be due to the fact that infants are hungrier more often during this period and are waking up clamouring for food.
These changes might wear you out especially when your child sleeps less but cheer up! Baby growth spurt typically lasts for a few days. Your baby’s sleeping pattern will be back to normal.
3. Your baby becomes unusually cranky
You may find your little one clingier and more restless than usual. Your baby wants to be held most of the time and cries, getting cranky when you put him down.
Sometimes, you might find him unsettled and fussy when normally he’s calm and relaxed. There’s no clear cause for these changes in your baby’s behaviour.
We can only assume that this might be due to their changing sleeping pattern, increased hunger, or growing pains. Dr. Joshua May explained that tendons and muscles are being stretched in the body and that might be associated with some pain.
How to deal with baby growth spurts
So now you think that your child might be going through a baby growth spurt—now what?
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Feed your baby whenever he’s hungry
During this phase in your baby’s growth, make sure that he’s getting enough nourishment to support his overall development. Nurse your newborn more often if he’s breastfed.
Frequent feedings will help you stimulate more milk supply. If your child is formula-fed, give him an extra ounce or two of formula to his bottles. It’s also fine to give him an extra bottle if he wants more.
Soothing your baby with food most of the time might lead to overfeeding. Avoid this possibility by looking for hunger cues before giving another bottle or offering your breast.
See if your child likes to root around for a breast or bottle. If he is turning his head away from the bottle or breast, take it as if he’s done and full.
Image from Pexels
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Help your newborn sleep
Keep the lights low and still try your best to build a routine before bedtime. These things can help you establish a good sleeping environment for your child.
If you notice that he seems to nap more during the daytime and you’re worried if he can still get enough rest during nighttime, you can wake him up and play with him.
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Comfort your baby when he’s fussy
Babies tend to demand more attention during this time of growth. It is inevitable to spend more time and attention to soothe your baby.
Dr. Ian M. Paul recommends alternating soothing methods during bedtime. You may do other things to get your baby to settle down aside from feeding him.
Try re-swaddling your child, changing his diaper, singing to him, or putting on white noise. You may also talk to your child, cuddle him, or do other things that have a calming effect on him.
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Take care of yourself
Your baby will be needing more of your time and attention at this phase. Surely, you’ll be feeding your child more frequently too. That’s why you should really take good care of yourself.
Eat healthy foods, drink lots of water, and get enough rest if possible. If handling your baby becomes more challenging, ask for help from your partner or a friend.
Baby growth spurt and leaps
Growth isn’t just about having an increase in height and weight. Keep in mind that this is also connected to your baby’s development. Aside from being unusually fussy and cranky, these behavioural changes might also indicate that a developmental leap is coming.
It can happen during baby’s growth spurt or at a different time. So if your little one appears to be unsettled and fussy, get ready to witness a new skill unveiling before your eyes!
Maybe sooner or later, you will see him rolling over or crawling in the bed. Maybe you’re about to see your child being able to clap or grasp a toy while on a growth spurt. Now, your baby has mastered new tricks!
At one point in your baby’s growth spurt, a physical enlargement occurs on his brain along with the rest of his body, causing his skull to also grow and fuse in turn. It explains why by the age of one, the baby’s “soft spot” or fontanelle is closed or nearly closed according to Dr. May.
Is it still a growth spurt or could it be something else?
Like teething, baby’s growth spurt might be confused with other issues. If you are observing baby growth spurt signs in your newborn but these signs go on beyond a few days to a week, this might be an indication that there are other conditions involved. Your baby might be feeling unwell so consult with your paediatrician right away.
Every parent desires to see their little one grow and develop. The growth spurt is a normal and natural part of every infant’s first year of life. This won’t always be easy but they are lucky to have parents who will stick to them, love them, and celebrate with them through the changes and challenges.
How about you? What challenges did you encounter during your baby’s growth spurt? Do you have tips you would like to share? We’d love to know! Go and share it in the comment section!
This article is republished with permission from theAsianparent Philippines.
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