Growth spurts in the first months

What growth spurts are

A growth spurt is a short period when a baby grows quickly and, as a result, wants to feed much more often than usual. They are a normal, healthy part of the early months and usually last only a few days.

When they tend to happen

Growth spurts often show up around 2 to 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and again later, though every baby is different. You do not need to track them by the calendar — it is easier to simply respond to your baby's hunger.

What you may notice

• Feeding much more frequently, sometimes almost constantly ("cluster feeding")
• Being fussier or harder to settle than usual
• Waking more often at night for a few days
• Seeming hungry again soon after a feed

How to cope

Feed on demand and follow your baby's cues — for breastfeeding parents, frequent feeding is how supply keeps up with your baby's growth. Stay hydrated, rest when you can, and accept help. A spurt usually settles within a few days as feeding returns to its previous pattern.

When to check with a professional

Frequent feeding during a spurt is normal, but contact your pediatrician, midwife, or a lactation consultant if your baby seems consistently unsatisfied for more than a few days, has fewer wet diapers than usual, is very difficult to wake, or you are worried about weight gain or milk supply.