Growth spurts – it’s just a phase

There’s no need to worry if your baby is suddenly restless, clingy and starts to cry a lot. It’s probably just one of eight growth phases in which children come on in leaps and bounds in the first few months. What are the signs of a growth spurt?

Text: Julie Freudiger; photo: iStock

Until recently, your baby was happy, slept well and rarely cried. And now he’s grouchy, restless, wakes up a lot and is shy with strangers. Don’t panic! In most cases, it’s simply a sign that your baby is undergoing one of eight stages of development that occur in the first 14 months.

In these phases babies learn new mental and motor skills and their perception changes. This can be disturbing and frightening for them. Imagine that you suddenly see everything from a different perspective, or can suddenly hear and smell much better. Your world would be turned on its head. It’s no wonder then that babies are initially overwhelmed by the new situation and look for support and closeness from their trusted carers.

What can parents do?

Growth spurts can also be a challenging time for parents. What babies need most now is calmness, love and attention. Make time for your baby and be patient, knowing that the phase won’t last forever! Most of these phases only usually last a week.

During this time babies usually also want to eat more. After all, learning, discovering and handling new emotions takes a lot of energy. This means that breastfeeding mums will have to feed their babies more often and stimulate their milk production.

No fixed schedule

Don’t worry if your child doesn’t keep to the exact timetable predicted by apps and guides. Some children learn to walk as early as ten months, while others only start four months later. Both are normal. And: For children who are born prematurely or past the due date, the calculation doesn’t start from birth, but from the originally calculated date. For example, a baby who was born three weeks early won’t enter the first phase five weeks after the birth, but more like eight.

Eight stages of development

1st growth spurt: from 5 weeks

Your baby is more aware of the world around him and appears more alert and active
He reacts to smells, touch and noise
You’ll see the first smile and the first tears
Regular breathing, your baby has fewer problems swallowing

Symptoms:

Hungrier
Needs lots of physical contact
Baby cries more and is difficult to comfort

2nd growth spurt: from 8 weeks

Senses develop: your baby can see, hear and smell better
He lifts his head and can support himself on his tummy
He recognises hands and feet and reaches for them He can hold toys himself
He makes noises and starts to babble and communicate

Symptoms:

The baby shies away from strangers and often only wants mum
Many babies start to suck on things as it calms them down
Poor and irregular sleep
Some babies experience a loss of appetite

3rd growth spurt: from 12 weeks

Baby reaches for objects
He can hold up his head and starts to move his legs more
He discovers his own voice He enjoys squealing and screeching
Development of social skills: Your baby responds differently to different people, returns smiles

Symptoms:

Baby wants to be near its parents
Bigger appetite, mum needs to breastfeed more often

4th growth spurt: from 19 weeks

First attempts to turn from stomach to back
Motor skills are developing, your baby learns to hold objects with one hand
He puts everything in his mouth
Pronounced body and muscle growth
Responds to his mirror image

Symptoms:

Restless at night
Always hungry, but can now start to eat solids
Wants to be held

5th growth spurt: from 26 weeks

Baby can wave and clap
He learns the connection between cause and effect
Learns to express and differentiate between emotions such as joy, anger and fear
Tries new sounds

Symptoms:

Baby shies away from contact even with people he knows
He smiles consciously, but can also become angry or frustrated
Cries when his parents leave the room, because he is aware of the connection between his tears and the return of his parents

6th growth spurt: from 37 weeks

Baby tries to crawl
He knows what he wants and likes to play
He learns to split things into categories

Symptoms:

Your baby is hungry and is happy to try new foods
He starts to test boundaries – education begins

7th growth spurt: from 47 weeks

Your baby can sit well and crawl
He starts to pull himself up He can walk a few steps while holding your hand
He gets to know the sequence of activities and the order in which they are carried out

Symptoms:

Your baby may be restless, moody and cry easily
He shies away from other people and wants to be close to you

8th growth spurt: from 55 weeks

Your baby becomes a toddler
He tries to walk
Tries to get his own way

Symptoms:

Doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry
Tantrums and frustration are common
May shy away from strangers again
Child finds it hard to fall asleep and sleeps badly