Growth spurts in babies are the sudden surge in growth, a stage of development that progresses rapidly within a short period of time.
This usually happens in the first few months after birth. It typically lasts for several days up to about a week.
What happens when a baby experiences a growth spurt, and what are the signs? Here’s the explanation.
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What Is a Growth Spurt?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, a growth spurt is a period of very rapid and significant growth in humans. A growth spurt in babies is a normal phase experienced by every infant, whether they are exclusively breastfed or formula-fed. This usually happens when the baby is around 1 week, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, or even 3 months old—and it continues as the child grows into adolescence.
However, growth spurts in babies can also occur outside of these periods.
Throughout their development, children experience phases of accelerated growth. This acceleration happens when your child reaches new physical milestones (height and weight) in a short amount of time.
This process is triggered by the release of growth hormones from the pituitary gland in the brain, which stimulates bone and muscle growth.
Signs of Growth Spurts in Babies
Here are some of the signs of a growth spurt in babies:
1. Increased Feeding Frequency
One of the signs that a baby is going through a growth spurt is more frequent feeding.
If you usually breastfeed every 2–3 hours, during a growth spurt you may need to feed your baby every hour. So, pay attention if your little one is nursing throughout the night.
Dr. Joshua May, a pediatric endocrinologist at Los Angeles Medical Center, explains: “In the first year of a baby’s life, everything increases rapidly. A baby’s metabolism works quickly, so they need to feed quite frequently.”
“All the calories from breast milk or formula fuel the baby’s growth phase, such as building muscle, fat tissue, or reshaping bone structure with the help of hormones,” he adds.
2. Changes in Sleep Patterns
Some parents report that their baby’s sleep patterns change during this phase. Some babies may sleep more often, while others may wake up more frequently.
This happens because sleep is an important process in a baby’s growth and development. During sleep, a baby’s body produces growth hormones that are essential for development.
3. More Fussy and Crying More Often
Due to the growth spurt, babies tend to feel hungry and tired more quickly. As a result, they become fussier and cry more often.
Sometimes, the crying is also caused by discomfort from muscles and tendons stretching as part of their physical growth.
How to Handle Growth Spurts in Babies
Here are some ways to handle a baby’s growth spurt:
1. Store Expressed Breast Milk
When your baby experiences a growth spurt and feeds more frequently, it can be overwhelming to meet their breastfeeding needs.
That’s why it’s important to prepare an ample supply of expressed breast milk to accommodate your baby’s demands.
Don’t worry about running out— the more often you breastfeed and pump, the more your milk supply will increase, in line with the principle of supply and demand.
This way, when you’re too exhausted to nurse, you can give your little one breast milk through a soft cup feeder or dropper, or alternate feedings with your husband.
2. Ask for Help in Handling a Fussy Baby
A baby who is fussier than usual can be very difficult to manage alone. Besides draining your energy, it can also affect your emotions.
To avoid burnout, ask your husband or other family members to take turns caring for the baby.
Family support is crucial in helping you stay sane and fit during this phase.
3. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Nutritious food is not only important for keeping breast milk supply abundant, but also for maintaining your stamina so you can stay strong while caring for a baby going through a growth spurt.
Prevent stress by enjoying your favorite healthy foods, so your milk supply remains steady.
What Causes Growth Spurts in Babies?
A growth spurt in babies, or accelerated growth, is essentially a natural process in a child’s development—when their bones and muscles are forming, and the nutrients they consume are converted into body fat. The main cause of growth spurts in babies is the child’s genetic traits inherited from their parents.
A child’s genes determine how tall they will grow and how quickly they will reach their maximum height.
In addition to genetics, environmental factors can also influence your child’s growth, including:
- Diet and nutrition
- Exposure to harmful substances in water or the atmosphere
- Abnormal fetal health or pregnancy complications
During a baby’s growth spurt, their weight, length, and head circumference will increase more rapidly than usual.
Your little one may also reach developmental milestones or acquire new abilities.
Many parents notice that one of the clearest signs of a baby’s growth spurt is an increased appetite. Pay attention if your baby constantly wants to breastfeed.
During a growth spurt, babies may want to nurse longer or more frequently than usual.
Formula-fed babies may also still appear hungry even after finishing a bottle.
Some babies may go through a growth spurt without showing clear signs.
You can take your baby to a health service for regular weighing to check weight gain, or observe whether their crib or bedding is starting to become too small.
Growth spurts may also cause babies to need more—or sometimes less—sleep than usual.
Some studies also show that babies experiencing a growth spurt can become clingier, fussier, and more restless.
This can naturally disrupt both nap time and nighttime sleep.
When Do Growth Spurts Happen in Babies?
Although every baby is unique, there are common times when growth spurts often occur during the first year of life.
According to Healthline, these are the typical ages when your baby may go through a growth spurt:
- 1 to 3 weeks
- 6 to 8 weeks
- 12 weeks (3 months)
- 24 weeks (6 months)
- 39 weeks (9 months)
These growth spurt phases usually have intervals. Some babies may experience less noticeable spurts.
As long as your little one has a healthy appetite, good digestion, and meets the growth standards on the growth chart, there’s no need to worry about their development.
According to Clare Bush, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at Columbia University Medical Center, small growth spurts already happen when a newborn is between 7 and 10 days old.
Most breastfeeding mothers notice that when their baby seems constantly hungry, weight and length gain quickly follow.
Parents magazine notes that by the age of one, babies typically triple their birth weight and grow about 25 cm longer.
Pediatricians generally don’t focus too much on the exact timing of growth spurts.
Instead, they pay attention to other benchmarks: Has the baby doubled their birth weight by 4 months? Tripled it by 12 months? Is the child developing according to their own growth curve?
Should You Take Your Baby to the Doctor?
So, when should you take your little one to the doctor during a growth spurt?
Basically, this condition is normal and nothing parents need to worry about.
Growth spurts in babies usually don’t last long and are shorter in duration compared to growth spurts in teenagers, which last a bit longer. Your baby will return to their usual state.
However, parents should pay attention if their baby suddenly becomes fussy, less cheerful, or shows signs of discomfort that are difficult to soothe for more than a week.
Especially if your baby shows signs of illness such as fever—it could be that the discomfort is a symptom of another condition. In this case, take your baby to a pediatrician right away.
You can also prepare a few questions for the doctor before your consultation:
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Is my child meeting the growth standards for their age?
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If my child complains of pain in their arms and legs, could this be related to their growth spurt?
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If my child hasn’t reached a developmental milestone at the same time as their peers, is this a sign of developmental delay?
Frequently Asked Questions About Growth Spurts in Babies
At what age do babies have growth spurts?
Growth spurts can occur during the first year of life, typically around 1–3 weeks, 6–8 weeks, 12 weeks (3 months), 24 weeks (6 months), and 39 weeks (9 months). Growth spurts usually last a few days, after which babies return to their normal state.
What should you do when your baby has a growth spurt?
When your baby goes through a growth spurt, make sure you stay hydrated by drinking enough water, and ask your partner or family for support. If you’re breastfeeding, continue nursing. Even if your baby seems hungrier and fussier than usual, and you worry that you’re not producing enough milk (or even feel like quitting), keep in mind that this temporary increase in demand is actually your baby’s way of boosting your milk supply to match their healthy appetite.
What’s the difference between a growth spurt and colic?
A growth spurt is a period of rapid growth when your baby quickly reaches new physical milestones. Colic, on the other hand, is when an otherwise healthy baby cries for long periods without a clear reason. This condition is most common during the first 6 weeks of life.
Why do babies get fussy during growth spurts?
Babies may get fussy during a growth spurt because of increased hunger, disrupted sleep patterns, or even mild discomfort from growing pains.
That’s a complete overview of what parents need to know about growth spurts in babies. Hopefully, this helps you feel more prepared and reassured.
Originally published on theAsianparent Indonesia