When you have a baby, you’ll realise how long the days are, and how short the years are. They just grow up so fast that you keep questioning where all the days went. In the first year of their lives, babies go through periods of growth called growth spurts. If you’ve ever wondered why your baby seems to outgrow his clothes overnight, then they might have just been through a growth spurt.
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What is a growth spurt?
Growth spurts are short periods of time when a baby goes through rapid growth in height and weight. In the first 5 months of his life, your baby will double in size. And during the rest of the first year, he will triple in size. That’s so much growth in the first year alone!
When do they happen?
Expect your baby to have a growth spurt during:
- 1 to 3 weeks
- 6 weeks
- 3 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
That’s about every 3 months starting from 6 weeks. But bear in mind that every baby is different and your baby will grow at his own pace. These are approximate times only during which you might notice a change of behaviour in your baby.
What are the signs and symptoms of a growth spurt?
When your baby goes through a growth spurt, you may notice a behavioural change. It can sometimes be dramatic and sometimes it’s not as noticeable. Some of these changes can be:
- Extra frequent feedings
If your baby suddenly wants to feed more than usual, he’s having an increase in appetite and the more he feeds the hungrier he seems.
- More wet nappies
Because he’s feeding more it makes sense that he’ll have more wet nappies.
- Fussiness
Your baby might suddenly cry a lot during these periods, all that he needs is more cuddles to help soothe the symptoms.
- Sleep regression
As he goes through the growth spurt, you may notice a change in his sleeping patterns. Your baby will wake up more frequently for extra feeds or a wet nappy. You just need to be patient and just remind yourself that it’s just a period and it’ll pass.
What can you do when your baby goes through a growth spurt?
When your baby goes through a growth spurt, try to stay calm and don’t panic. It’s hard sometimes to detect the growth spurt period. You might feel overwhelmed during these times and you might wonder if something is wrong with your baby. Rest assured that nothing is wrong with your baby and all the symptoms should clear within a few days. All you need to do is to be present and gentle with yourself.
Do growth spurts hurt?
No, growth spurts don’t hurt. They may seem uncomfortable but they don’t cause any pain. So don’t worry too much.
Takeaway
The first year with your baby can be a huge adjustment for you and your whole family. It can get hard sometimes and you may feel overwhelmed by the changes that occur within only one year. You might even question yourself. I’m here to tell you that you’re doing a great job keeping your baby alive.
Please note: happily a mama and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
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