Signs that your baby is having a growth spurt: photos

Reviewed by Rachel Gregory, Writer, Editor and Project Manager

Written by Sabrina Rogers-Anderson | 9 Jan 2023

Your baby will grow by leaps and bounds in their first year of life. But how can you tell if your baby is going through a growth spurt? Keep an eye out for these telltale signs.

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Your baby's appetite might increase

During a growth spurt, your baby may want more milk than usual. If you're breastfeeding, feed your baby each time they seem hungry.

Your baby may feed as often as every 30 minutes, which is known as cluster feeding. Frequent breastfeeding can be tiring for you. Make sure to stay hydrated, eat frequent snacks and rest as often as you can.

If you're formula feeding you should also feed your baby on demand. You may need to give them an extra bottle or two per day for a few days.

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Your baby's feeding routine may change

Your baby may want to feed at different times during the day and evening during a growth spurt. In fact, it can mean their whole routine goes out the window!

It’s natural to feel frustrated when your baby’s routine is disturbed. Seek support from family and friends and try to rest when you can.

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Your baby may be clingy

You may find that your baby wants to be carried or held more than normal. Giving them lots of cuddles should help to soothe them.

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Your baby may be more grizzly

Crankiness is normal during a growth spurt. Your baby may fuss at the breast, seem more irritable during the day, and could be harder to settle at night.

This should pass in a few days, but if you're worried, speak to your child health nurse or GP to put your mind at ease.

Photo credit: Erica Cervantez for BabyCenter

Your baby may need to sleep more

Growing is a tiring business! Some research suggests that babies sleep for longer, and nap more often, during growth spurts.

If this is the case for your baby, make the most of it while it lasts!

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Or your baby may sleep less

Some babies seem to need less sleep during a growth spurt. One reason could be that they wake more often because they’re hungry.

Try not to worry about your baby's routine during this time. They’ll likely go back to usual in a few days.

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Your baby might gain weight

While you might not notice your little one's growth, you may notice them weighing more.

Having your baby’s weight checked often can help you to know that they are growing well. Babies should really be weighed at birth, in the first two weeks of life, once a month up to six months, every two months from six to 12 months and then every three months after their first birthday.

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If you have a boy

Boys tend to be longer than girls at birth and they stay longer throughout the first year of life.

Boys generally triple their birth weight in about 13 months.

Photo credit: Thinkstock

If you have a girl

Girls tend to be born slightly shorter than boys. That difference can last through the first year.

Girls take about 15 months to triple their birth weight.

Find out more about growth spurts and how long they last.

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Sources

BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organisations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

Health Direct. 2022. How your baby gains weight. Health Direct. www.healthdirect.gov.auOpens a new window [Accessed January 2023]

Johns Hopkins. n.d. Formula feeding FAQs: how much and how often. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. www.hopkinsallchildrens.orgOpens a new window [Accessed January 2023]

Lampl, M., & Johnson, M. L. (2011). Infant growth in length follows prolonged sleep and increased naps. Sleep, 34(5), 641–650. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/34.5.641Opens a new window [Accessed January 2023]

Pregnancy, Birth & Baby. 2020. Your baby's growth and development - 2 months old. Pregnancy, Birth & Baby. www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.auOpens a new window [Accessed January 2023]

WHO. 2022. Child growth standards. World Health Organization. www.who.intOpens a new window [Accessed January 2023]

WIC Breastfeeding Support. n.d. Cluster Feeding and Growth Spurts. U.S. Department of Agriculture WIC Breastfeeding Support. www.wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.govOpens a new window [Accessed January 2023]

Sabrina Rogers-Anderson

Sabrina Rogers-Anderson has been a freelance writer for 25 years. Her work has been published in magazines and on websites around the world and she's the author of two books.

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Signs that your baby is having a growth spurt: photos

Your baby's appetite might increase

Your baby's feeding routine may change

Your baby may be clingy

Your baby may be more grizzly

Your baby may need to sleep more

Or your baby may sleep less

Your baby might gain weight

If you have a boy

If you have a girl

How long do baby growth spurts last?

How often should I get my baby weighed and measured?

Do growth spurts hurt my baby?

Do growth charts matter?

Where to go next