They say babies have five major growth spurts in their first year of life. These can happen at any point in time, but are most common between weeks one and three, weeks six and eight, the third month, the sixth month, and the ninth month. So if you are nearing any one of those periods and feel like your little one is growing before your very eyes—he or she might actually be.
Of course, no one ever really enjoys the growth spurt periods. And here’s why:
- Feeding Schedule Chaos: You’ve been on a great schedule. You’ve known what to expect when it comes to feedings, and have been able to plan your days around that. But now, your kiddo is famished and wants to eat every hour—as opposed to every three or four—throwing your whole schedule out the window. This can make it impossible to accomplish much of anything at all.
- Unworn Clothes: That adorable jumper you bought just a few weeks ago? Or the cute little shoes that match your own? Yeah… your baby may never get to wear those items. Because growth spurts can come on without warning… an outfit that fit a week ago can suddenly be far too small for wearing.
- There Goes Your Sleep: Babies in the middle of growth spurts tend to wake up more often through the night, and take shorter naps as well. So if your little one is suddenly all about keeping you up at night, a growth spurt might be to blame.
- Cranky Baby, Cranky Mama: Maybe it’s the lack of sleep, or maybe your little one is feeling a bit achy from all that growing. Either way, growth spurts tend to bring on the crankiness. And a fussy baby is bound to make you feel extra cranky as well. Take a warm bath tonight after your baby finally goes down—you deserve it!
- Time Refuses to Stand Still: Without a doubt, the worst part about growth spurts is what they stand for—your baby is growing up, and won’t even be your baby for much longer! Sure, you’re excited for the next stages, and of course you want your baby to grow. But… don’t blink! It happens too fast.
The good news is that growth spurts happen fast as well—quick bursts before everything returns to normal, as opposed to extended periods of suffering. Usually, the growing starts and ends within a few days. That’s why they call them “spurts.”
Which means that if you’re noticing signs of a growth spurt now, it will probably be over before you know it. And bonus: the bigger your baby gets, the more toned your arms will be from carrying him or her around!
Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general informational basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.