How to Know When Your Breastfed Baby Is Going Through a Growth Spurt

Every few weeks, your baby will go though a growth spurt--a period of time when she's growing very fast. During these times, it's important that you feed your baby as often as she wants. Doing so not only gives her the nutrition that she needs for her growing body, it also helps increase your milk supply so that you'll have enough milk to nourish your now bigger baby.

Instructions

1

Feed your baby whenever she wants. You'll find that it seems like you're doing nothing but feeding her, which can leave you physically and emotionally drained. Increased eating is one of the first signs of a growth spurt.

2

Pick up your baby when he acts fussy. By the end of the day, your arms will probably be hurting from holding him so often. Babies going through a growth spurt will be fussier than usual, requiring a lot of your attention.

3

Wake up throughout the night to feed your baby. In the morning, you may have bags under your eyes and feel like you didn't sleep at all. During a growth spurt, your baby will wake up more often that usual, a big change if she had previously been sleeping through the night.