Baby Growth Spurts

What are Baby Growth Spurts

Growth spurts occur regularly throughout most babies’ first year of life and are always more significant in the first weeks and months. They can occur in the first, second and third week but will be more noticeable in the third week because by then your baby will not be as sleepy and will possibly be demanding more to eat.

​Each baby’s growth pattern is different, because each baby is a different weight at birth.

Most growth spurts occur between the first and third week, and another between the sixth and eighth week. After that you can expect others at three months, six months and nine months.

​During growth spurts your baby will seem hungrier; they could become more demanding and appear to still be hungry following a feed. This, of course, is very tiring and confusing but the good news is most growth spurts only last 24 hours.

Babies usually have five significant growth spurts in their first year of life.

​Most mothers notice that during a growth spurt their baby wants to feed more often and the feeds can become longer and more frequent.

​If bottle-feeding your baby could appear to still be hungry after their feed.

​Babies going through a growth spurt could become unsettled, fussy and clingy. They could be fretful and difficult to settle to sleep. Sleeping less can disrupt their normal routine, however growth spurts do not last for long and therefore it is important during these times to eat well and get as much rest as possible.

What can you do:
  • Allow your baby to feed longer at each feed and more frequently if necessary
  • Ensure you are eating well and drinking plenty of water
  • Try to rest as much as possible, although this could be difficult when your baby is crying and feeding more than usual – at least aim to not be rushing round attempting to do unnecessary chores when you could be resting
  • Take advantage of any extra help and support you can get and take advantage of offers by friends and relations to bring food or to take the baby for a walk in the pram while you rest

Key Points To Take Away

  • Growth spurts are most common between weeks 1-3 and weeks 6-8, then at three, six and nine months
  • Each baby’s growth pattern is different
  • During growth spurts your baby could become more demanding and want more food
  • Growth spurts tend to last around 24 hours
  • During growth spurts, your baby could be unsettled, fussy, clingy, fretful and difficult to settle to sleep
  • See above lists of what you can do to help you through these periods
  • Babies usually have five significant growth spurts in their first year of life