Look at your newborn. Look at their tiny fingers and toes. Their curled up little body. Well let me tell you, that little body has some amount of growing to do in the next year!
In the first year of a baby’s life, they will grow faster physically and mentally than any other year to come. And with all that growing, comes the dreaded phrase “Growth Spurt’.
Growth spurts can disturb baby’s feeding pattern, sleeping duration and overall humour. This in turn, has a knock on effect to parents sleep and any form of routine parents thought they had in place is up in the air.
Hungrier
You will notice that baby seems much hungrier during the day. If breastfed, baby will be cluster feeding leaving little gap in-between feeds. If baby is bottle fed, they may be finishing bottles which they normally wouldn’t. This may happen for 2-3 days in a row. Offer an extra ounce in the bottle. If they don’t finish it, thats okay! At least by offering it, they have it if they are looking for it.
Sleep Pattern is Disturbed
Was baby sleeping through the night and now beginning to wake? Is baby more unsettled during their naps? All signs of baby going through a growth spurt.
Fussiness
Babies can become a little more irritable. Some babies go through bouts of clinginess. This will pass in a few days. In the mean time, offer baby lots of cuddles and attention.
Weight gain
Does baby all of a sudden feel a tad heavier? You may notice her toes pushing through her onesies, yet they fit perfectly yesterday! All signs that baby is growing big and strong and getting ready for their next milestone in their development.
