Typical Baby Growth Spurts

Changes happen quickly in the first year of life and in the blink of parent's eye, a baby goes from a helpless, nearly immobile newborn to a crawling, babbling handful. During the first 12 months, babies grow more rapidly than at any other point; they gain three times their birth weight and grow between 8 and 10 inches on average.

Typical Growth Spurt Periods

Babies typically grow in five short, intense spurts during the first year, according to WhatToExpect.com. While this can happen at any time, most experts believe these bursts usually occur one at a time for two to seven day periods between one and three weeks, between six and eight weeks, at three months, at six months and at nine months. However, according to the Parents.com, not all experts agree these growth spurts are so predictable.

Signs of Growth Spurts

Babies often experience intense periods of hunger during or right before growth spurts, feeding more often and wanting more volume of milk or other solid foods. For example, a baby that typically breastfeeds every three hours may suddenly want a snack every one to two hours, according to the What to Expect. Hungry, growth-spurting infants can nurse 15 to 16 times a day.

Fussiness, including repeatedly latching on and letting go during nursing sessions, and awakening more often during the night to eat are common signs of infant growth bursts, as is a period of unusually sound sleep after days of heavy feeding.

Coping Strategies

Sleeping less and dealing with a cranky, hungry baby that wants to constantly eat---particularly for breastfeeding women---can be difficult. What to Expect recommends recruiting help to keep up with housework, work duties, sleep requirements or anything else that may need to be done. The website also stresses drinking plenty of water for breast feeding mothers to help keep up with demand and not to give up on breastfeeding. While it may be frustrating for a few days, milk supply will catch up with baby's needs.

Considerations

Fussiness, frequent waking during the night and excessive hunger are not necessarily signs of a growth spurt, according to Parents. Changing caregivers or normal routines can make a baby cranky. Infants coming down with an infection (such as a cold) or teething may also display all of the signs associated with growing bursts, plus more sleeping. What to Expect recommends visiting a pediatrician if you suspect any problems, particularly if the baby is not growing or if she does not wet at least five diapers a day.

Interesting Facts

Babies really can grow overnight---up to 3 oz. and a centimeter in 24 hours---according to Michelle Lampl, M.D., Ph.D., growth researcher and associate professor of anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta.