Growth Spurts: When They Happen & What To Look For
1 November 2022
Finally, you’ve perfected your feeding and night time routines and you seem to be getting into the swing of things as new parents. Then all of a sudden, your little one becomes ravenous, crankier than ever, and waking frequently during the night. So, what exactly is going on? Say hello to growth spurts!
Here’s our guide to growth spurts to let you know what’s happening with your baby during these periods and how to make it through.
What are growth spurts?
Growth spurts are short bouts of time when your baby is going through intense periods of growth. While we typically think of growth as physical, growth spurts can also refer to times when your baby is learning a bunch of new skills!
When do growth spurts happen in a baby’s first year?
Even though each baby grows at their own unique rate, they’ll typically go through quite a few growth spurts during their first 12 months. Here’s when you’ll most likely notice a growth spurt occurring:
- 1-3 weeks
- 6 weeks
- 3 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
What happens during a growth spurt?
If you’re unsure if your little one is going through a growth spurt, below are some signs to look out for.
- Their hunger will increase, so they may seem like they’re wanting to feed nonstop
- Their increased hunger will lead them to wake for feeds more often during the night
- They’ll be a bit fussier, because they’re hungrier than normal
How long do growth spurts last?
Now what you’ve been waiting for…. how long is this going to last? Luckily, growth spurts only last a few days! After a growth spurt, you’ll typically notice your little ones’ weight has increased (meaning you aren’t going crazy – they really are growing out of their clothes in just a couple days).
How do I make it through growth spurts?
Keep feeding as usual
During a growth spurt, feeding around-the-clock can be exhausting. Just keep in mind that this will only last for a few days, and then you should be back to normal! If your baby is hungrier than normal, they may fuss more throughout the day or want to continue feeding after your normal feeding time is done, so just be sure to keep up with their hungry bellies!
Ask for and accept help
With more middle-of-the-night feedings and crankiness from your little one, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Once you recognise a growth spurt, getting some extra hands on deck could be extremely beneficial for your mental health. Simply having someone come by and help with chores or just babysit your baby while you have a nap could help wonders in the midst of a growth spurt!
Conclusion
Your newborn will likely double in size by 6 months and triple in size by the time they turn one. That’s a lot of growing to do! Whilst growth spurts won’t always be easy, we hope that with more of an understanding of these amazing growth spurts and our tips on how to get through, you’ll make it in and out of growth spurts like a champ.
