As a parent with two children already turning 5 and 6, you know just how fast life goes by when you’re bringing up a family. From where you’re standing, it almost feels like one moment they were running about in nappies, and the next they were picking up their lunch boxes and heading off to nursery school!

And now that you’ve just had another baby, you wonder just how quickly your little one will grow, when they will have their growth spurts, and what these growth spurts might look like.

Many parents find themselves shocked at how quickly their babies grow and change. And if you’re a first-time parent, it’ll probably surprise you even more when your baby goes through a growth spurt.

So, we thought it would be helpful to outline what happens when babies go through growth spurts, how long you can expect them to last, and what you should do during this time.

To begin with, let’s find out what happens during a growth spurt.

What happens during a growth spurt?

During a growth spurt, a baby will experience lots of physical changes, such as putting on weight, head, and length circumference at a faster pace than they normally would. They might also be fussy, unsettled, clingy, feel the need to feed a lot more, still seem hungry at the end of a feed, and feel the need to sleep more or less than they normally would. In addition, it’s very common for babies to master a certain skill or reach a certain developmental milestone during this time.

That being said, there also might not be any obvious signs that your baby is going through a growth spurt, with subtle changes such as their weight climbing to a higher percentile or their new clothes becoming too tight to indicate that they are in fact going through one.

When does a growth spurt happen, and how long does it last?

There is no set time that a baby might experience a growth spurt; it can happen at any time. Remember that all babies are different, and so are their growth patterns, so it’s not something to be concerned about if your baby experiences them at different times than your friends' babies.

However, as a rough guide, many experts believe that they are likely to happen at these points during the first year of a baby’s life:

At 2 weeks.

At 3 weeks.

At 6 weeks.

At 3 months.

At 6 months.

Having looked at when your baby’s growth spurts might happen, we thought it also might be useful to outline some other key signs to look out for, which might indicate that your baby is either about to have a growth spurt or that they are currently going through one.

What are the other signs of a growth spurt?

Sleep signs:

Your baby is sleepier than usual during the day.

Your baby is waking up less or more during the night.

Your baby is having a lie-in in the morning.

Your baby is taking shorter naps.

Behaviour signs:

Your baby appears more restless and clingy.

Your baby doesn’t want you to put them down.

Your baby is unsettled at times when they would normally be calm.

Finally, we know that it can be confusing when your baby is going through a growth spurt and that, as a parent, it’s hard to know what to do. So here are some tips as to what you can do during your baby’s growth spurt.

What can I do during my baby’s growth spurt?

Respond to their cues. Try to give your baby what they need. For example, some quiet time to bond with you, or some more cuddles.

Let your baby feed as often as they need to. When your baby experiences a growth spurt, it might mean they need to feed more than normal. If this is the case, don’t worry; your body will produce enough milk for them, though it may just take your body a little bit of time to keep up with the new demand!

Help your milk production in any way you can. Although your body can naturally produce enough milk for your baby’s needs, it can also be helpful to encourage milk production in any way you can. For example, drinking lots of fluids, asking for help with chores from friends and family, and eating regular meals

What if it’s not a growth spurt?

We want to reiterate that although the symptoms of a growth spurt can be a little disorientating for a parent, they are completely normal. However, there are some symptoms that you may think are indicative of a growth spurt but are in fact something else.

For example, if your baby is appearing listless, extremely irritable, or has a fever, this could be a sign they are unwell, not that they are experiencing a growth spurt. In this case, call your doctor for advice.

It’s also important to note that a growth spurt can’t be blamed for any and all changes in your baby’s sleep, behaviour, and feeding patterns, as these changes can also be caused by things like a change in routine or teething.

When will my baby have a growth spurt?

On Unii’s Baby Development Journey, share when you can expect your baby to have a growth spurt.