Growth spurts, or growth spurts, are times when babies need more energy and therefore more food. That's right! The term "growth spurts" refers to a very rapid and sudden increase in your child's height and weight. These spikes are completely normal and don't last long, but can be tiring. You'll quickly learn to recognize them.
SUMMARY :
- What is a growth spurt?
- Are the growth spurts regular?
- How do I know if my baby is experiencing a growth spurt?
- Breastfeeding Baby and Managing Growth Spurts
- 4 little tips to help your child…
What is a growth spurt?
Growth spurts are short but intense periods when newborns , babies and children suddenly gain weight and inches . Often (but not always) more grumpy, tired or irritable than usual, they demand more attention and especially a lot more milk . Indeed, during a growth spurt, hunger is particularly difficult to satisfy.
⏰ Fortunately, these periods usually do not last longer than 24 to 72 hours.
Are the growth spurts regular?
Because every baby is unique, a growth spurt can occur at any time or not at all. However, there are certain periods that are more likely to trigger them:
- at 3, 6 and 9 weeks of life ,
- at 3, 6 and 9 months of life .
It is the rule of 3 - 6 - 9 which, if it is not systematic, it is still checked regularly. We also observe a certain concordance between the appearance of growth peaks and major stages of the development of babies .
That's right! Right after a peak period, you'll often notice amazing progress in your child's language , social skills , curiosity , and independence or motor skills .
Which growth spurt is the most difficult to go through?
No growth spurt is more complicated than another. They are all equal! In fact, babies usually go through one from the 10th day of life without their parents really noticing. While some are more grumpy, others just ask for their bottle more often.
💡 Did you know? For small and large eaters and of course for the wolfish hunger of growth spurts, Élhée evolving bottles exist in several sizes (150 ml, 240 ml and 330 ml) and also in boxes to offer or collect !
How do I know if my baby is experiencing a growth spurt?
Again, it all depends on the child, but characteristic signs may appear during this period when baby will grow visibly. Learning to spot them will help you anticipate this period with the greatest serenity.
- During growth spurts, your baby will ask you to breastfeed or bottle feed more often . Day and night.
- His feedings will also be longer and more vigorous . They may make you feel like you're not getting enough to feed him, because baby is always hungry.
- He can be irritable and very impatient at meal times .
- Falling asleep may also be a little more difficult, while nighttime awakenings often become more frequent for a few days.
- Finally, your baby may want more cuddles , more contact , and more attention , simply because he senses that something is different.
But what is true for one baby is not true for another. In fact, some children show no signs at all, or so slight (apart from wanting to eat more often) that parents do not notice them. This is called a "silent" growth spurt.
Breastfeeding Baby and Managing Growth Spurts
Growth spurts happen to both breastfed and bottle-fed babies . However, while some may "just" need to make more bottles , as a breastfeeding mother you may have many questions, especially regarding your lactation capacity .
🍼 What size bottle should you choose for your baby?
Rest assured, everything will be fine! The only thing to do is to follow your baby's needs . If you are exclusively breastfeeding and you are available for your baby, that's perfect. Put him to the breast as soon as he starts to fuss . The more he suckles, the more your lactation will be stimulated. You may be more tired for a few days, but you will get there.
If you are breastfeeding, the organization may be a little more complicated, but for a mother, nothing is impossible, right? Also, by following the 3-6-9 rule, try to anticipate peaks in demand by expressing your milk a little more often than usual.
3 tips to boost your milk production
In addition to putting your baby to the breast more often, there are a few tips that can help you stimulate the flow of milk to meet your little one's increased needs.
- Feed both breasts at each feeding : baby has a better chance of being satisfied and you stimulate your lactation more.
- Drink plenty of water (breast milk is made up of more than 80% water).
- Discover breastfeeding herbal teas and/or treat yourself to a non-alcoholic beer from time to time ( fennel and hops are particularly known to support breast milk production).
And if, in parallel with a growth spurt in your child or not, you have questions about your lactation, whatever they may be, contact your doctor, your midwife or a certified IBCLC lactation consultant who will help you find the best recipe for your breastfeeding.
4 little tips to help your baby…
Growth spurts disappear as they appeared, all at once and without any real change other than a finally appeased appetite. But while waiting for relief, here are some little things to keep baby company between feedings.
- Breastfeeding or bottle feeding: respond to his needs without making him wait. By crying and demanding, baby is not trying to annoy you, he is simply very hungry . Moreover, you can offer him food more often yourself, without waiting for his request.
- Sleep : Because it is true that hunger can wake a baby during a growth spurt, even at night, offer your child regular moments of rest with naps and quiet times throughout the day.
- Physical contact: carry him, cuddle him, give him massages and caresses... Anything that is likely to relax and soothe him between meals should be done at this time.
- Patience and understanding: Remember that growth spurts don't last and while a little trickier to manage with very young breastfed babies, patience (and breast milk or formula) works wonders.
And 2 tips for moms!
Don't forget to take care of yourself! In the middle of postpartum , you have your own needs, your own fatigue and perhaps still your little aches and pains.
- Eat healthily and stock up on vitamins at every meal , drink plenty of water and sleep... Yes, at the same time as baby if you can!
- Still on the side of breastfeeding mothers, nipple pain could occur. At the end of feeding, remember to massage them using a drop of breast milk or a little lanolin .
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