Baby Growth Spurts and Sleep
81During the early stages of life, baby growth spurts and sleeppattern changes must be expected. Cluster feedings are major indicators that an infant is going through a growth spurt. This accounts for drastic changes in their height and weight. Also, increased feeding usually within short intervals of time is often noted. These are essential part of physical maturation and considered as a developmental milestone.
Sleep patterns are usually affected during a growth spurt. Infants become fussy and start to crave for milk feeding more frequently. Erratic sleeping patterns are observed its either they are sleeping too much or not falling asleep at all. The initial stage of growth spurt occurs between the first few days after birth between 7 to 10 days old. Approximately expect the next stages within 3 and 6 weeks of life followed by 3, 6, and 9 months. These timeline will only serve as a guide when to expect baby growth spurts and sleep pattern changes. You do not have to be alarmed when this happens since it is a normal part of child development. This should not be a major concern as long as your baby is growing and developing properly.
Your Baby May Want Feeding More Often
When your little ones start to feed more than the usual then this a sign of a growth spurt. Cluster feedings are often its initial sign. Their food cravings are increased which is why sleeping patterns can also be greatly affected. Night waking may become frequent due to a growing appetite for milk. You should also expect shorter duration of daytime naps and irregular sleeping patterns. As mentioned earlier, do not be alarmed since every infant will undergo this process. The little tykes may become fussier, practically due to constant sleep interruptions or hunger cues of an empty stomach.
Disruption to Baby Sleeping Patterns
Breastfeeding mothers should ensure they have enough milk to compensate for the growing needs of their little ones. A nursing mom should consume healthy foods and drink plenty of water to ensure that additional milk will be produced. It is also normal for moms to have an increased appetite than the usual while their little ones go through a growth spurt, which typically lasts for 2-3 days. But in some cases it could last for more than a week or even longer and be sure to adjust your feeding schedule accordingly. It is a must to feed your baby whenever they give out hunger cues. During this process, the milk supply of a breastfeeding mother also increases. If baby sleeping patterns have been disrupted, do not worry because it will gradually return back to normal after a few days.
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Baby Sleep Sack
Your baby may sleep better in a sleep sack.
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Baby Growth Spurts & Sleep - Your CommentsLoading...
My son still claims to have growth spurts - he's 11. He'll wake me up in the morning and say "Dad, I had a growth spurt last night! Look how big I am". I just wish the kid would stop growing already, it just happens too quick...
Just read this about baby 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.
Great information for parents!
my baby boy is 5weeks old and latly hasnt been sleeping at all! he sleeps for 20minutes at night than is awake for 4/5 hours at a time when hes awake hes very grizzly he wont take his bottle and just wants to be held and he is like this during the day! iv tried everything to settle him this is very fustrating for me because my partner sleeps through it all! is there any other mother who are going through the same thing and has any advice for me??
Question 1
I'm thinking my 4 month old is going through a growth spurt, for the past month and a half she has been sleeping from 11pm until sometimes 8am but she is now waking at 3am and drinking 6oz in the night and not going back to sleep until 6am and waking again for the day at 8am. Now last night she slept through the night from 12am and woke at 9am but she eats, plays for a short period of time and then sleeps again for at least 3 hours, could this be a growth spurt?
Question 2
I was breastfeeding for the first 3 months and then I got sick, my milk production went way down and now when I try to pump I'm only getting 1oz each time, how can I get it back up? any suggestions?
Response to Kat18:
My little girl was not sleeping through the night for the 1st 3 months either, what I did was I made sure to keep all the lights off or at least very dim when I fed her or changed her diaper, also the miracle for me was a lamb that attaches to her bed, it plays a mothers heartbeat, that seemed to work really well. Also he could be very fussy because he is super over-tired, just hold him close and deal with the crying and trust me he will fall asleep, also try to stay calm, I think the more stressed and frustrated you get can affect babies... I hope that helps.
Please if anyone has any advice for my questions let me know, thank you!
Janelle, I'm sure you have either figured it out or have quit nursing, but for others who read this, one way to increase supply is to take a supplement - Lactation Blend or Fenugreek are both very good. You can find them at whole foods stores. If you pump, finish by hand expressing a little more into the bottle. You can get more than teh pump can. My LC also suggested doing a "power pump" on weekends. Pump for 10 minutes, off for 10 minutes. Do this for an hour. It simulates a cluster feeding.
Going to send this to my daughter....just had a new baby girl. Thanks. :)
Alex ONeill 2 years ago
Aww so sweet!!