Growth Spurts in babies

Spurt literally means to move with a sudden burst of speed. You will notice that your baby has put on weight all of a sudden, has increased in length/height as well as increase in head circumference or achieved a milestone during the growth spurt. The most noticeable sign is that the babies seem to be hungrier and need to be fed more frequently than at other times; whether be it breast milk or formula feed.

This is because they are channelizing their energy either towards physical growth or intellectual development while mastering a skill during these growth spurts. They may seem to be more fussy or cranky too due to increased hunger, sleep pattern alteration or emotional distress.

When can we expect growth spurt and how long do they last?

You may notice a growth spurt in growing babies at any point of time but especially during the first year. You may not identify it as such many a times. You will think the baby is fussy for no reason because in many of the cases weight gain will be noted only in the next visit to a doctor and a milestone development is considered as a natural phenomenon whereas we give least importance of baby’s effort to master that particular skill.

Growth spurts can happen at any time. In young babies, they usually last for one day or two days. In older babies, they can last up to a week.

Some experts believe that growth spurts are more likely at certain points of time, but we do not believe in that as pace of growth is different for different babies.

Why growth spurts are called as feeding spurts?

During growth spurt as there is more calorie usage, they will be more hungry and need frequent feeds. So it is also known as feeding spurt

What else should be expected during growth spurt?

• Altered or disturbed sleep pattern
• More fussy
• In most of the cases milestone achievement

How to manage growth spurt?

Babies too have their emotions, individuality, stress, strain, hunger and tiredness.

Try to be aware of and respond to your baby’s cues and give them what they need, whether it’s extra feeds, a morning nap, or quiet time and cuddles, lullabies, play time or swaddling. They are not doing that intentionally and they don’t know how to express themselves. So, please find time for them. Share your chores with others as well. Don’t get upset, have patience, and most of all don’t panic. Growth spurt won’t last for more than 3 to 5 days. Make sure they are fed enough.

You should also have abundant healthy diet and stay hydrated so that you will not be tired and milk production will be sufficient for baby.

Tips:

1. Swaddle the baby if he is fussy
2. Apply (chandan) sandalwood paste on forehead so the sleep may improve.
3. Kombanchadi gulika is an Ayurvedic tablet which soothes babies if smeared on forehead and given internally.
4. Give massage with Lakshadi taila to relieve weakness and tiredness.
5. Emotional support i.e. if they are cranky or fussy more than ever then please don’t get irritated. They are not doing that intentionally.