Growth spurt or What every new mom needs to know

"It's been a few days after the birth and I suddenly don't recognize my baby. She is grumpy, cries a lot, wakes up all the time, wants to breastfeed, but gets upset while breastfeeding, doesn't drink properly, but as soon as the breast (or bottle) isn't within reach, she rages. What's going on? That I have "weak milk"? Should I start feeding? Or is the child sick?”

Only water.

Welcome to the growth spurt season!

It is not talked about much, but being prepared for it would help many new mothers (like me a few years ago) to avoid a lot of stress and anxiety. So, if you have someone around you who is expecting a baby, be sure to mention the spurt, or perhaps share this article.

A growth spurt is a period of rapid growth in a baby

During it, the child suddenly grows by a centimeter in a single day. And since such growth is quite a chore, it logically requires a lot of energy and therefore an increased intake of nutrients. But breast milk production responds to demand and usually takes a while to adjust to the new situation. The baby may therefore require feeding at much shorter intervals than you are used to. In addition, he is more tired and does not feel comfortable in his own skin, which is again helped by breastfeeding, i.e. close contact with his mother and endless soothing sucking.

So what about that?

I probably won't please you, but the main thing to do is arm yourself with patience. You now have several demanding days ahead of you, usually three to five, exceptionally the spurt can last a little over a week. But just knowing that this hell will soon be over is a little comforting, isn't it?

How to survive a spurt?

• Breastfeed on demand - anytime and anywhere comfortably thanks to breastfeeding clothes . And don't worry, you really won't spoil your baby.
• Drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food to help make milk.
• Sleep together with the baby
• More frequent breastfeeding and waking up at night means more energy expenditure, so make rest a priority.
• Take care of your breasts - heat them with a shower or compresses, massage the induration, lubricate sore nipples with the appropriate creams.
• Carry the baby in the carrier - your closeness and rocking will comfort him and you can also breastfeed in the carrier)

When do growth spurts occur?

• around 7-10 day of life
• in 2-3 weeks
• at 4-6 weeks
• in the 3rd month
• in the 4th month
• in the 6th month
• in the 9th month
• and at longer intervals during toddlerhood and puberty

However, keep in mind that every baby develops at a different rate, so the spurt periods mentioned above are purely indicative.

The important thing is that you already know that there is nothing wrong with the baby or with you. The few days of discomfort are completely natural and soon everything will be back to normal.

And believe me, despite all the difficulties of the first months, you will soon play beautifully with the baby and soon you won't even remember the sleepless nights and sore nipples :)

Until then, we wish you lots of strength.