Signs of a growth spurt
A growth spurt in babies' lives is exactly what its name suggests: during these periods, the baby's growth accelerates and requires more food and calories. During this time, their weight and length increase to a greater extent than at other times. Most often, there are also turning points in the maturation of the nervous system, which is reflected, for example, in the development of movement (often at this time, turning, crawling and climbing begin).
If you notice that your baby constantly wants to eat, often waking up at night to eat, then there is a good chance that he is going through this process. Of course, this may not be the only reason for the restlessness. Now we will also look at how you can know whether you are actually facing a developmental leap or whether there is some problem behind it.
When does growth accelerate?
Up to six months of age, 4 such jumps can be observed:
- 10 days old
- 3 weeks old
- At 6 weeks old
- 3 months old
- At 6 months old.
But it's not always this regular... It can vary from baby to baby, sometimes it can be 1-2 weeks different from the above. So for some, the 6-week growth spurt actually starts at 5 weeks.
It also varies how long the foaming period lasts for each person. In the first three cases, balance is restored within a few days, and eating and sleeping normalize. For the 3 and 6 month jump, this period can be 1-2 weeks. But there are also those for whom the struggle is a week even for the 3 or 6 week jump. Because it is somewhat of a struggle, especially for the mother... But if you know that they went through a natural process, you will get through it more calmly.
You've probably noticed the numbers divisible by 3, and you may have wondered: can we expect a leap in development at 9 and 12 months? The answer is yes, but it's not usually as noticeable at this time, since we're already starting to feed them. As a result, they'll get through it more easily. However, teething can be a challenge at this time, which can also lead to difficult nights.
Signs of a growth spurt
You may not even notice that your baby's development has accelerated. However, this is a rare occurrence.
- Most often, the appetite increases noticeably: the baby wants to breastfeed almost day and night. Rapid growth obviously requires more energy and nutrients. If the baby's weight increases, then the calorie requirement will also increase, which means that the amount of milk produced must somehow be increased. Nature has designed this perfectly: if the baby breastfeeds more, the mother's breast will produce more. Frequent breastfeeding therefore serves this purpose: this way the amount of milk produced in a day can then increase. This usually recovers within a few days, and the baby will be more satisfied again, sleep more, and will get hungry later: in other words, order will be restored.
At this point, you may think that you don't have enough milk. If your baby is peeing and pooping enough, there's no need to worry, and there's no need to suddenly supplement with formula. If your baby is given formula at this point, the milk production process will essentially stop, and later on, you won't really have enough breast milk. (Of course, if your milk supply is really low, this is inevitable, but in most cases, that's not the case.)
A baby who is on formula will also get hungry sooner at this time, and will also show this. He will eat more, and will no longer be calm or satisfied after eating the usual amount. In such cases, do not suddenly increase the amount, as this can cause problems. Consult your pediatrician, who will provide guidance on the correct way to increase the amount.
- He also sleeps more restlessly at night, waking up often because he is still hungry.
- He may also be fussier during the day. With a breastfed baby, you may notice that almost nothing calms him down except for a breastfeed. You would think he would have calmed down... Then after 10 minutes you can start breastfeeding again.
When can you suspect that there is a problem behind it?
If your baby is restless while eating, straining, then there may be another problem, such as a more severe stomach ache. It is also worth considering other causes if excessive restlessness at night lasts longer than 1-2 weeks. If he cries a lot during the day and is difficult to comfort, or if he is not gaining weight properly, you should also seek help.
In this case, be sure to report the situation to your pediatrician.
If you see that your baby is not peeing or pooping enough despite frequent breastfeeding, then he is really not getting enough food and fluids. Of course, in this case too, ask for help, because then he will need to supplement. Babies dry out quickly, so don't delay if he is not peeing enough!
How do you get through these sleepless days and nights?
Well, everyone likes to emphasize that you should live in the present, and we wouldn't argue with that, since we can't find a solution in the past or the future. In this case, we still say that you should think a little about the near future: you will get over it, and you will have the opportunity to sleep a little more, to breathe a little more. There will come a time when everything will fall into place, and a livable daily rhythm will develop, and you will feel completely different.
Lack of sleep also affects our thinking. So it's true that it's not easy. Don't expect yourself to be perfect.
You probably won't be able to do the housework these days, and if you have an older sibling, they might feel neglected too. You can tell them stories or talk to them during feedings, although we know that this won't necessarily keep them occupied all day.
If you can, definitely ask for help! Tell your family members that you are in a growth spurt phase, and that it will take up all your strength and time. It is not a sin at all to order food for yourself during this time, but everyone will survive if it is just a quick pizza for dinner. These not-so-long periods can be overcome with such compromise solutions.
Even if you can't ask for enough help, accept that you can't take care of the household properly at this time. This is not a weakness, but a natural part of life. You are doing the most important job: feeding your baby. You are allowing him to develop properly and feel emotionally safe.
Carrying your baby can help a lot with calming him down. If he falls asleep in the carrier, you can turn it off for a while to gain strength for the night.
For example, you can also observe what kind of music your baby feels comfortable with. Many people experience the beneficial effects of classical music. For example, an experiment showed that classical music makes cows produce more milk. This may also be true for humans, it is worth trying. Some beautiful music will also fill you up, and this can really help increase milk production.
Think ahead to change your wardrobe!
The developmental leap often means that you will need larger baby clothes in no time. That's why it doesn't hurt to buy bodysuits and kickers 2-3 sizes larger in advance in the first half of the year.
If it's even a little difficult to button a bodysuit or a jumpsuit, it will be uncomfortable for your baby. Even us adults would have a hard time sleeping in uncomfortable clothes... Therefore, for a restful sleep, make sure to dress your baby in a way that is not tight anywhere, and that the clothes are made of soft and breathable material.
That's why we only offer natural, bamboo baby clothes, choose what you like!
