If your baby suddenly seems impossible to fill up, is fussier than usual, and sleeping all over the place -- you may be in the middle of a growth spurt. Here's what's happening and how to get through it.
What a Growth Spurt Is: A growth spurt is a period of rapid physical development -- usually lasting 2 to 4 days, sometimes up to a week -- where your baby is growing faster than usual and needs more fuel to support it. They're not common in a slow, steady way; they tend to happen in clusters.
When They Happen: Common growth spurt windows are around 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months -- though every baby is different.
Signs Your Baby Is in a Spurt: Nursing or bottle feeding more frequently than usual. Harder to satisfy at feedings. Fussier, clingier, harder to settle. Sleeping more (or sleeping differently -- sometimes more, sometimes less). Waking more at night after previously sleeping better.
What to Do: Feed on demand. If breastfeeding, trust your supply -- increased nursing signals your body to produce more. Don't assume a bad night means a permanent regression. Rest as much as possible. It ends.
Quick Takeaways: Growth spurts last 2-7 days and happen at predictable windows. Signs include increased hunger, fussiness, clinginess, and sleep changes. Feed on demand and trust your body's response. It ends -- and babies often seem noticeably bigger and more capable right after.
