What Are Growth Spurts And How Do You Deal With The Process? – Being Parents

When you hold your baby in your arms, you feel an indescribable emotion that you want to prolong over time. However, your little one will grow up to be a healthy child.

During this period, you will have to deal with certain changes, such as growth spurts. This is completely normal. This means that your little one is starting to develop.

What are flare-ups   growth?

Seizures, pushes or spikes in growth are considered to be the times when height increases. The main consequence is that they can no longer be satisfied with the amount of breast milk production and they demand even more.

During these times, it is normal for them to feel uncomfortable and cry a lot to complain about their feeling of discomfort.

This natural process allows the mother to produce more breast milk and meet the needs of the child. Keep in mind that this production is regulated by the baby’s requirements, so everything will be naturally organized.

Why are they happening?

As the name suggests, these stages in a baby’s life are determined by growth. The child grows and demands more food to satisfy the energy of neurological, motor and even psychological development that his body demands. In addition, the mother’s body increases its production when faced with such a demand.

How often do growth spurts occur?

Each little one is unique and has specific needs. The time interval during which growth spurts occur can vary.

These tend to be more frequent during the baby’s first months, however. Typically, they can occur in the following cases:

Between 15 and 20 days

At birth, babies usually have more or less regular needs, with predictable sleep patterns.

However, when the third week arrives, this pattern changes and the behavior changes. For about two or three days, the baby will ask to be fed every 30 minutes and will be angry if it is removed from the breast.

Between 6 and 7 weeks

It is estimated that 40 days after the birth of the baby, the milk changes in composition to give a more salty taste. Again, the baby will go through a crisis. He will therefore become tense and irritable while adapting to change. This phase usually lasts up to 1 week.

Third month

It is at this time that a large number of mothers give up breastfeeding due to rejection of the baby. Already at this age, the little one knows how to feed and quickly empties the chest. However, external stimuli cause distraction and cause the baby to abandon the mother’s breast.

At this point, the baby is able to understand that the production of milk occurs when he asks for it. This is due to various processes in the mother’s body. This adaptation can last up to 3 or 4 weeks.

Sixth month of life

After six months, growth spells are less frequent as the baby begins to consume solid foods. Because of this, seizures are easier to manage and the mother can understand them without despairing.

From one year

At nearly 12 months, new growth spurts emerge, which has the effect of increasing the number of milk intakes per day. During this period, the catches are very frequent and allow the child to seek comfort and reassurance in the mother.

What to do in the face of a growth crisis?

This situation can generate frustration and a feeling of worthlessness, especially among young mothers. Therefore, you have to work on the psychological part and strengthen it with a lot of patience, affection and love. However, here are some expert tips to help you get through this period:

• Give your baby the breast he wants when he needs it. If your goal is to breastfeed exclusively, avoid bottle-feeding as this will interfere with milk production.

• Eat a little more food. You can therefore rely on the calories and energy needed to produce milk and to take care of the baby.

• Remember this is fleeting. Think that this is a situation that will only last for a short time.
• If the child does not want to feed, do not force it. Do not let him cry because of hunger either, because when he is going through a crying fit, it becomes difficult to feed him properly.

Finally, keep in mind that it is a natural process of growth, accompanied by crying and stress. This is the reason why it is important to document yourself. Understanding this process can help you use the right tools to take action and not fail.

To sum up, growth spurts are only an indication that the baby is growing into a healthy child. Being well prepared and informed can help you reduce the frustration generated by this natural development process.