|
Infants go through several growth spurts during the first year. Cluster feedings, when the baby nurses several times close together is a major indicator of a growth spurt
Babies go through several growth spurts the first year of their lives, which accounts for the dramatic changes in weight and height between a newborn baby and a 1 year old. Cluster feedings, where the baby might nurse 3-4 times during just a few short hours is a typical sign of a growth spurt. Here are the typical ages, signs and lengths of a growth spurt.
When do Babies Have Growth Spurts?
Although babies do not have an internal calendar to tell them when it is time to have a growth spurt, there are typical ages to watch for them. These growth spurts will have the greatest impact on a nursing mom, but will effect every infant feeding schedule. These ages are approximate and a growth spurt at anytime should be considered normal.
The first growth spurt occurs between 7 and 10 days old. Babies come home from the hospital weighing up to 10% less than their birth weight. When mom’s milk comes in, for those who are nursing, the baby will begin to gain back the lost weight.
Three weeks is the next typical age for a growth spurt, followed by 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 9 months. These ages, once again, are all approximate, and babies may have a growth spurt at other times as well. As long as baby is growing appropriately and is healthy, a growth spurt at any age should not be cause for concern.
Signs of a Growth Spurt
How do you know if your baby is going through a growth spurt? Cluster feeding, where the baby is feeding more often is the first sign. If your infant feeding schedule was a regular 3 hour schedule, and suddenly baby wants to eat more frequently, your baby is most likely going through a growth spurt and needs more food.
Baby may no longer sleep through the night if she was previously. Your baby may have finally started sleeping through the night, only to start waking again several times, seemingly ravenous for food. Newborn baby sleep habits are varied, but any changes in the pattern may indicate a growth spurt.
Waking early from naps is another baby sleep pattern that may change during a growth spurt. If your baby previously napped 1-2 hours or longer at a stretch and is suddenly waking up after only 30-45 minutes and seems hungry, she is most likely going through a growth spurt.
Many moms when seeking nursing advice talk about the baby fussing at the breast. If you are nursing your baby and she pauses or unlatches to fuss or whimper and then latches back on to continue feeding, she may be not getting her milk as fast as she wants it to come. This is often a sign of a baby growth spurt. Be sure to contact a lactation consultant if you continue to have difficulty breastfeeding.
Other changes in baby sleep habits can indicate a growth spurt as well. Baby may nap better or worse than usual. Baby may seem more fussy than usual as well, thanks to the need for more sleep and broken sleep patterns due to growing pains or an empty stomach.
Length of a Typical Growth Spurt
Infant growth spurts typically last only 2-3 days, but can sometimes last for a week or longer. If the growth spurt lasts a week or longer, a nursing mom needs to make sure she is drinking enough and consuming enough calories to compensate for the additional feedings. This may not be hard to do, as mom may feel hungrier than usual when baby is going through a growth spurt.
When your baby goes through a growth spurt, take heart that it will only last for a few days, and adjust your baby's schedule accordingly. Feed baby whenever she seems hungry. This will increase a breastfeeding mom’s milk supply and provide baby with the extra nutrition she needs. If baby's sleeping patterns (nap time and nighttime sleep) were disrupted during the growth spurt, they will likely return to normal after just a few days.
Read more information about baby sleep habits, when to introduce solid foods to baby's diet, and get nursing advice for increasing milk supply.
The copyright of the article Cluster Feedings a Sign of Baby Growth Spurt in Infant & Toddler Health is owned by Jennifer Wagaman. Permission to republish Cluster Feedings a Sign of Baby Growth Spurt in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Nov 13, 2008 10:45 AM
Guest :
Great info. it helps to know the changes in babies sleep/eating patterns
are normal and will hopefully go back to how they were in a matter of days,
i'll hang in there!!!
Nov 24, 2008 8:20 AM
Guest :
Glad to know this is completely normal. My 8-week old girl was sleeping 6
hours+ and how is waking up twice a night again (the past four nights.)
She is waking up from her naps early where in the past she has been able to
sleep 2 hours or more. She wants to eat almost hourly - downing 2 oz every
1 1/2 hours. I got confirmation she is growing when an outfit she wore
last week does not fit her anymore. (I tried putting it on her last night
before bedtime.)
Dec 9, 2008 6:45 PM
Guest :
Very helpful! I was beginning to wonder why my son had a sudden change in
his sleep as well as his constant wanting to be at my breast! Well its
definately a growth spurt! Wonderful info! *Thanks*
Dec 12, 2008 12:35 PM
Guest :
Most of what Ive read says a typical growth spurt happens at 3 months, but
everyone Ive talked to has said four months! Anyone notice their babies
going through a growth spurt at 4 months? My daughter was on a 5 feeding a
day schedule, and is now eating 6 feedings a day and waking up to eat once
in the middle of the night (shes been sleeping 11 hrs nightly since she was
10 weeks old). She is cranky, and is only wanting to stay awake for an hour
at a time but then only sleeping for 45 min for naps. This growth spurt
stuff is confusing!
Dec 12, 2008 3:00 PM
Guest :
This makes me sympathize more with my 9 month old than begrudge her...last
night every time I started to drift off she was up and ready for more booby
action. ARGH! But, at least it will pass (and hopefully sooner rather than
later).
Dec 31, 2008 9:32 AM
Guest :
this totally helps. . i have 15 week old girl twins and they have been very
regular on their schedule for a little over a month, they were eating every
four hours .(8am, noon, 4pm then baths at 630, eat at 7pm and in bed by
8pm) they sleep through the night without a peep!! until the past few
days they want to eat every three hours again, luckily they are sleeping
through the night still. it has been challenging getting things done but
knowing that they are growing helps me!! good luck to others!!!
Jan 13, 2009 5:52 PM
Guest :
My daughter seems to have all the signs of a growth spurt today but she
also has a low-grade fever. Can that go along with a growth spurt?
Jan 13, 2009 6:09 PM
Jennifer Wagaman :
A fever may be a sign of teething, but not of a growth spurt. If you are
concerned about your child's health, contact your pediatrician. For more
information on teething see this article:
http://infant-toddler-health.suite101.com/article.cfm/teething_facts_for_th
e_weary_parent
Jan 14, 2009 8:39 PM
Guest :
Hey my son is 7 weeks old today and was 10lbs 3oz when he was born and now
weighs about 151/2 lbs and since 11:30am this morning has eatened almost 28
to 30 oz of formula and did not take a nap since he got up at 8am today is
this a growing spurt?
Jan 15, 2009 4:22 AM
Jennifer Wagaman :
A baby that young NEEDS to take a nap. The lack of a nap should have very
little to do with a growth spurt, although changes in a sleeping pattern
may occur along with an increase in the amount of food the baby eats during
the day.
Jan 15, 2009 6:31 PM
Guest :
Same here--7 weeks, 2 days old...he has been eating incessantly all day and
WILL NOT SLEEP. He had been napping and sleeping fine previously....
Jan 15, 2009 7:35 PM
Guest :
my 9 1/2 week old started getting really fussy thismevening. holding and
rocking didn't soothe her like normal, but a bottle did. she started doing
this every hour and a half to 2 hours when she used to go 3. and sometimes
gets beligerent with her screaming. is this a growth spurt or should i look
into something else?
Jan 16, 2009 7:57 PM
Guest :
Great information! My 3 month old just began sleeping through the night...
gave me 3 nights of good sleep then reverted back to waking up once in the
middle of the night and again at 6 in the morning. He is also eating more
at each feeding.
I also want to add to a comment to the person who
stated she was giving her baby cereal at 3 months old... I would not
suggest doing this, research and science indicates that this will not do
your baby good... your baby does not have the proper enzymes in her tummy
to break down cereal at this age and will only cause her to have digestion
issues. If anything it may keep your baby awake at night with a bloated
tummy and an uncomfortable belly ache. This may have been something our
parents did 'back in the day' when the effects were not known. Even if your
baby doesn't seem to be having trouble with it, you still should not give
your infant cereal before 5 months of age.... Just a thought... Look it up!
Jan 21, 2009 10:12 AM
Guest :
oh thank God!!! my little guy will be 12 weeks on Sun (today being Wed) and
hes a great sleeper normally. He sleeps from 9pm until 8am then the last 2
nights hes waking every 3 hours!! im thinking what the heck!! now i know:)
So what i need to know now is, should i be feeding him on demand during
these growth spurts?
Jan 21, 2009 10:16 AM
Jennifer Wagaman :
If your little one is hungry, you should feed him. Once the growth spurt is
over, you will be able to ease back into your regular feeding schedule.
Jan 22, 2009 10:56 AM
Guest :
My daughter went through a growth spurt last week for about four days. She
was waking up twice a night where previously she was only waking up once to
feed. After the spurt passed, she started to sleep till 6AM and slept
through the night again going till 7:30 in the morning! The next two days
saw her wake up at 4:15 then 3:15. Last night she woke up before 1:00,
barely going four hours after getting a bath at 8:30 and bed by 9:00. (She
has a bedtime routine each night; bath, bottle, bed.) She then woke up at
4:00, barely going three hours after eating at 1:00 AM. I felt like she
was a newborn again. She tanked both her bottles in 15 minutes or less.
Question: CAN A BABY AT 4 MONTHS GO THROUGH A GROWTH SPURT A WEEK APART?
She hit a spurt for four days, then went back to sleeping 7-8+ hours at
night for a week to wanting to eat twice a night now? I wonder what will
happen tonight if the trend continues. I don't mind once a night, but 2-3
times is so "yesterday?" Any answers?
Jan 22, 2009 11:37 AM
Jennifer Wagaman :
It is possible that your little one is going through another growth spurt,
or simply needs more food over the course of one day. You can try
increasing the amount of food offered to the baby during the day and see if
that makes a difference at night. You didn't mention the age of your baby,
but it is also possible, if she is at least 4 months old, that she may be
ready to start some solid foods. Talk to your pediatrician for more advice.
Jan 22, 2009 2:32 PM
Guest :
Yes, she is 4 months old. She tends to want to feed every hour. Since she
is bottle fed, that doesn't bother me. For example: She wakes up at 8:00
and only eats 2 oz. Then an hour later, she wants to eat 2 more ounces.
Then an hour later when it's time for her nap, she'll eat 2 more. She is
such a different eater at night, often taking only 15 minutes to eat a 4 to
5 ounces. I know she gets enough to eat during the day since she tends to
eat every hour. I have her four month appointment next week. I am going
to ask him about solids at that time. I just didn't think growth spurts
happened so close together. Thanks for the answer.
Jan 22, 2009 3:31 PM
Jennifer Wagaman :
I would work to get your little one eating more at each feeding and start
to stretch the feeding times out. Over the next few months, you will want
her feeding times to start to match up with yours, especially as she begins
solids. So for example, she should eat approximately every three hours. You
may find that as you work on a more regular daytime feeding schedule, the
nighttime issues start to dissipate. In addition, if you can work on
getting her to eat more during the day, she may subsequently need to eat
less at night.
Jan 27, 2009 12:09 PM
Guest :
That is true. As she begins solids, I will need to stretch out her
feedings. I've been doing this daytime feeding routine since about six
weeks. My daughter has been going 6-9 hours at night before waking up to
feed. Prior to this twice a night waking the past week, she went till 6:00
twice, and 7:30 once. It's only been in the past week that I've seen her
start to wake up at 1:00, then between 5-6 for another feeding. The past
two nights have seen her fuss at 11:00, going just two hours before waking
up eventually at 1:00. I've always thought that she is getting enough
during the day, but the all-liquid diet isn't working for her anymore. She
wans something more in her diet. Plus, she stops me after 2 oz each hour.
So, do I force feed her to extend feedings during the day? BTW: I am a
former special edcuation teacher myself.
Jan 27, 2009 3:59 PM
Jennifer Wagaman :
You really need to talk to your pediatrician for more advice about how to
handle changes in your baby's feeding schedule. You may find that as you
add some solid foods into her diet, she naturally extends her feeding
times.
Jan 30, 2009 9:38 PM
Guest :
My 4-month old daughter is only eating about 24-28 oz a day. My doctor
said if she gets upwards of 30-35 a day, then it is time to introduce
cereal 2 times a day. So, I'm not too worried about introducing solids at
the moment. My daughter has grown 5" in 4 months, so it's natural
that she's wanted to eat twice a night for a few weeks now. It's not so
bad since she feeds at between 1-2 then sleeps till 6-7, then goes back to
sleep till 9 or 9:30. I have gotten her to stretch to a two hour schedule,
sometimes putting her down for naps without food, when previously I was
feeding her before naps. Doing that sometimes stretches her to three to
four hours between feedings, depending on how long she naps. My doctor also
said it's perfectly natural for a baby at this age to develop a sense of
waking up the same time every night. Two nights ago she woke up at 1:00
(again), then cried for a half hour before falling back asleep till 5:00
(going eight hours that night before her feeding). He said letting her cry
herself back to sleep is not a bad thing at this age, especially since she
fell back asleep for three additional hours. Things are going fine. My
daughter is doing great and that's all that matters.
Feb 18, 2009 2:49 PM
Guest :
i feel so much better knowing this. my baby is 14 weeks old and after a
feed at 9pm would sleep throught til 6-7am. now he's waking twice to three
times over night. i was worried something was wrong.
Feb 24, 2009 8:07 AM
Guest :
My daughter turned 3 months old yesterday and is still not sleeping through
the night - she still wakes up every 3 hours (she might go 4 hours on the
first stretch). Her bedtime is 7pm and she typically wakes up at 11pm,
2am, 5am and at 7am. We feed her about every 3-4 hours during the day and
she gets about 3.5-4 oz at each feeding. I think she's going through her
growth spurt now because yesterday and today she's been very fussy and is
not napping well. We typically keep her awake for no more than 1.5 hours
during the day in between naps. She'll take one 3 hour nap during the day
and "cat naps" (30-1.5 hours) for the rest of the day. At her
age, people say she should be sleeping through the night or at least
sleeping longer periods. Any advice on what I can do to help her sleep
longer at night??
Feb 24, 2009 8:15 AM
Jennifer Wagaman :
I would check out this article for more information:
http://infantstoddlers.suite101.com/article.cfm/babywise_methods
Mar 10, 2009 4:42 PM
Guest :
To the guest whose daughter turned 3-months: That is pretty typical. At
three months, she was waking up once to twice a night. I would put her to
bed at 9:00 and she would do her longest stretch at that time. She did
sleep her first six hours at 3.5 weeks. My 2-year old niece didn't sleep
through the night without waking till one year. It's not uncommon for this
to happen. My daughter is 5.5 months and still wakes up once a night. She
is now on solids 3 times a day as well, but still needs that feeding at
night, eating 5-6oz at that feeding. Have you tried letting her cry
through a feeding? My daughter was on solids, but still had this idea she
wanted to wake up between 1 and 2. For a few weeks now, we've been letting
her cry through that feeding and now she pretty much wakes up between 4:30
and 6. She is learning to go back to sleep when she wakes up. Have you
tried feeding her more during the day? My daughter gets fed every 2 to 2.5
hours during the day, with solids being a part of those feedings at typical
meal times. Every baby is different. There is no "one size"
fits all no matter what any doctor or books says. I read those comments
over and over again and I think she's not getting enough during the day.
Take comfort, though. It isn't always like this. It does get better.
Mar 24, 2009 9:52 PM
Guest :
My 12 week old is a great sleeper at night (usually bed by 9pm, awake at
6am), but doesn't really have a schedule during the day, should I be
starting to put him onto a routine for feeding, or still feed on demand (I
am breastfeeding)... he has been sleeping more than usual during the day
for the past 2 days as well, for the past two weeks he has been catnapping
and I couldn't get him to sleep at all during the day (maybe 2x 1 hr blocks
only), whereas the last two days he has slept 3 hours in the afternoon...
do babies need more or less sleep if they are going through a growth spurt?
I have friends who have a 3, 7, 11 routine going, but i am still really
just being guided by him and when he wakes, with no fixed time for feeds
and wonder whether I should have something with a bit more structure in
place?!
Jul 16, 2009 11:21 AM
Guest :
Hi, my baby will be 3 months on July 27th, we put our baby down at 10PM
after 5 onces of formula. The rest of the time I am breastfeeding. The
baby wakes up at 2 or 3 AM sometimes hungry sometimes not and then he wakes
up at 5 or 6 AM.
Sometimes, he goes to sleep at 10PM and wakes up at
7:30 AM like last night and then during the day he is hungry like every
hour. This does not happen very often but it seems like a grown spurt.
It is too bad that he doesn't have a grown spurt everyday because
then we would be able to sleep through the night.
Jul 17, 2009 10:14 PM
Guest :
Good to know. I think my 2month old is going throught another growth spurt
after reading the comments. the first week of july he was drinking 6 to
8floz per feed, every 4hrs for 6 feedings during the day and sleep through
the night. last week he was drinking 7 to 8 oz per feed, every 4hrs for 5
feedings a day and sleep through the night. at the beginning of this week
he started drinking 8floz every 4 hours for 4 to 5 feeds during the day and
is harder for him to fall asleep at night. The last few days have been
different. he drinks 9floz every 4 hrs for 4 to 5 feedings a day. at he
last feeding of the day he take the 9oz and demands for more formula. last
night he puked like a faucet and this morning he pukes again. tonight i
gave him 9 oz and 1 hr later he had another 4oz. he final seem satitfied
and no puking. its been tought trying to get him to sleep at night. when he
does fall asleep his is not settle. should i continue to feed on demand???
pacifier??? His birth weight was at 8 lb 2 oz and 19.5" tall. at 2
month he is 13 lbs and 24.5" tall. is there such thing as too much
formula??? am i over feeding?
Jul 18, 2009 3:32 AM
Jennifer Wagaman :
It would be best to talk to your pediatrician about what feeding schedule
is best and how much to feed, especially with your child's recent bout of
throwing up the formula after a feeding.
Jul 20, 2009 8:17 AM
Guest :
Awesome article. Cannot stress how important information like this is.
Thank you thank you!!! Regards, A Father.
Aug 27, 2009 11:59 PM
Guest :
My litter girl is 26 days old and she seems to be hungry all day, I am
trying to establish a feeding routine 3 ½ to 4 hours (bottle-feed) and she
was doing fine until 2 days ago when she started demanding food more often
and her day sleeps changed, she seems grumpier and crying more than the
usual. She is taking 150mls of formula each feed 7 times in 24 hours and I
am worried because I do not know if I should allow her to drink that much
for her age.? Anyone can help me?
Sep 11, 2009 12:10 PM
Guest :
My girl will be 2 months this sunday and I think she is going through
another growth spurt (she had one around 3 weeks, 6 weeks and another now).
I have noticed now that her daytime naps are maybe 20 -40 mintues during
these spurts. It was challenging the first few times as to why she wouldn't
nap long - now I know! She is feeding every 2-2 1/2 hours as well and I
notice she wimpers while nursingas well. This was all very helpful
information!
Oct 18, 2009 11:53 AM
Guest :
my baby is 4 days old, we have been feeding him on regular intervals of
approximately 2 hours and 45 mins but today the 4 th day he is eating a lot
and poop is yellow colorish. My wife cannot nurse so he's on formula. We
feed him about 30 Ml of water daily too (is that ok?). Today he has been
grumpy and eating a lot more then usual (is this a growth spurt or what, im
really worried and stressed. please help!!!
Oct 18, 2009 6:00 PM
Jennifer Wagaman :
You should speak to your pediatrician about the water, it is usually not
necessary for an infant to have any extra water in their diet until they
begin to consume solid foods.
Nov 1, 2009 2:09 AM
Guest :
This was a great help! I had never heard of these growth spurts until
someone pointed me out this article. Here in Portugal it is not commonly
talked about so it was a very good information and it explained why my
6week baby broke from her steady and peaceful sleep and naps and also
noticed the meal seemed to no longer be enough for her. This happened right
when we had to change formulas, and I assumed that was the reason but she
turned back to her normal peaceful self after 3 days. Thanks for the input!
36 Comments
|
Jun 2, 2008
