Signs of a Baby’s Growth Spurt

A growth spurt is exactly what it sounds like: a short phase when your baby’s growth speeds up, so they need more feeds and more calories. Weight and length often jump more than usual, and you may see leaps in nervous-system development too—new motor skills can appear (many babies start rolling or push on towards crawling around these times).

If your baby suddenly wants to feed much more often, including at night, you could be in a growth spurt. Of course, fussiness can have other causes. Below is how to tell if it’s likely a growth spurt, and when it might be something else.

When do growth spurts tend to happen?

In the first half-year, many families notice spurts around:

• ~10 days

• ~3 weeks

• ~6 weeks

• ~3 months

• ~6 month

Real life is not clockwork. Babies can be a week or two either side of these markers, and the length of the phase varies. The early spurts often settle in a few days. The 3- and 6-month ones can last a week or two. Knowing it’s normal and temporary makes it easier to ride out.

You may also wonder about 9 and 12 months. Yes, spurts can pop up then too, but they’re often less striking once solids have started. Around those ages, teething can also disrupt nights.

Common signs of a growth spurt

• Bigger appetite: your baby seems to want to feed day and night. That frequent feeding signals your body to make more milk, and supply usually catches up within a few days. Try not to assume you have “not enough milk” if nappies are wet and dirty as usual. Supplementing too early can interrupt that natural milk-increase process. If you are concerned about supply, speak to your midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding specialist. NHS guidance notes that babies often cluster feed during spurts and that this is very normal. 

• Formula-fed babies may also seem hungrier and unsettled after the usual volume. Don’t leap to large increases. Ask your GP or health visitor how to adjust volumes gradually, and use responsive, paced bottle feeding so baby can stop when full. 

• Restless nights: more frequent waking to feed.

• Fussier days: for breastfed babies, sometimes only a feed settles them, then 10 minutes later they want more. This flurry typically passes once supply and needs realign.

When might it be something else?

Flag it with your GP or health visitor if:

• baby is unsettled during feeds, arches or seems in pain

• the night-waking phase runs longer than 1–2 weeks

• baby cries a lot, is hard to console, or isn’t gaining weight as expected

• nappies are not wet often enough or there are signs of dehydration such as a sunken fontanelle, few wet nappies, few or no tears, or unusual drowsiness/irritability.

Getting through the short, sleepless stretch

• Zoom out to the near future: it really is a phase and will settle.

• Lower the bar at home: housework can wait. If there is an older sibling, try stories or chat during feeds so they still feel included.

• Ask for help: tell family you’re in a growth spurt window and need practical support. A simple dinner or a food delivery is fine.

• Babywearing helps: many babies nap well in a sling or wrap. If they sleep on you safely in motion, you might also rest your mind before the night.

• Music and calm: gentle tracks can settle you both.

• Protect milk supply: respond to cues, keep baby close, and feed on demand. Cluster feeding is normal in these phases.

Think ahead about clothing

Growth spurts can mean baby sizes up overnight. It helps to have the next sizes ready for the first six months so you are not wrestling tight poppers at bedtime.

Tight outfits are uncomfortable for anyone. For restful sleep, dress baby in soft, breathable fabrics that don’t pinch. At LiaaBébé you’ll find naturally soft bamboo babywear that’s gentle on delicate skin and easy to put on, even in the small hours.

References:

NHS Start for Life: Cluster feeding

La Leche League GB: Rhythms and routines