Did you know that it can take up to 72 hours for your baby to get through a growth spurt? Symptoms can include irritability, very frequent feeding and being up through the night more than normal. Here is an outline of common growth spurt symptoms by stage and feeding cues.
7-10 days old
The first major growth spurt of a baby’s life is within the first 7-10 days of life. It is critical to feed every time the baby shows hunger cues. This might be more often than you think.
2-3 weeks old
Hunger cues during this time include rooting to breast, sticking tongue out, tight fists by face, chewing/sucking on hands. If you see these cues, start breastfeeding.
4-6 weeks old
CLUSTER FEEDING: Did you know that your milk volumes are typically lowest in the afternoon and early evening? Babies typically nurse more often during this time to get what they need.
3 months old
The 3-month growth spurt is the biggest growth spurt baby will go through in their first year of life. It’s important to feed often during this time so that your body will increase its supply of milk
4, 6, 9 months
Growth spurts occur at these months but are less noticeable than in the first 3 months. Nursing becomes much easier and more predictable.