Gauging the Importance of a Baby’s Growth Phases
Pediatricians often place less emphasis on specific baby growth phases. Instead, prime benchmarks prevail. Like whether your baby has managed to double its weight by the fourth month or tripled it by its first birthday. More importantly, if the baby is consistently progressing along its individual growth trajectory. These aspects are deemed superior to occasional leaps.
How To Identify the Signs of Your Baby’s Growth Phases?
Even though your baby is non-verbal, there could be identifiable signs that suggest they are undergoing a growth phase. The following are the four frequently observed ones:
Increased Hunger
If your previously established feeding schedule suddenly seems ineffective against your baby’s round-the-clock hunger, that could signal a growth phase. This phase in breastfed/chestfed babies may manifest as marathon nursing sessions spanning two to four days. Formula-fed babies, on the other hand, might continue to show dissatisfaction even after finishing a bottle.
Dr. Joshua May, a recognised pediatric endocrinologist from Los Angeles, explains: “During the first year of life, everything is supercharged.” He adds, “The metabolic rate is fast, the feeding frequency is high. Those consumed calories fuel growth, be it for depositing fat cell reserves, building muscles, or— in conjunction with hormones—effecting physical changes in the bone structure.”
Changing Sleeping Habits
Sleep is critical for the production of primary growth hormones. Some parents observe their babies sleeping more during growth phases, whereas others report exactly the opposite. If your baby appears tired, allowing them a bit of extra sleep might be beneficial— their bodies are expending energy for growth.
Increased Irritability
A surge in fussiness might be the resultant effect of increased hunger or fatigue during growth phases.
Development of New Skills
Relating your child’s new found skill, such as clapping or grasping a toy, to a specific growth phase might seem like an overreach. Nevertheless, it’s a fact that as a baby’s body enlarges, so does its brain, allowing them to better understand and interact with their surroundings.
Differentiating a Growth Phase from Other Issues
Growth phases can often be mistaken for other issues, much like teething. For instance, babies that appear excessively sleepy or fussy might be unwell, or those seemingly constantly hungry might be struggling with feeding due to improperly sized nipples on their bottles or insufficient milk supply.
However, if your baby maintains regular bowel movements, you can usually rule out supply issues and brace for the feeding frenzy to pass. Nonetheless, it’s advisable to seek professional medical aid if you suspect something amiss.
The Necessity of Tracking Growth Using Charts
Growth charts prove particularly helpful when you’re curious how your baby measures up against others of the same sex and age. Pediatricians routinely record baby’s height, weight, and head circumference during each well-baby visit, keeping a vigil on their growth curve.
For proactive parents interested in independently tracking their child’s growth, resources are indeed available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends employing the World Health Organization’s growth chart for children below two years of age (once your child crosses the 2-year mark, CDC’s own growth chart is recommended).
To measure your baby’s length/height, lay them on a robust, flat surface and measure from head to foot. Next, strip them of their diaper and clothes to weigh them using a baby scale, if available. By regularly keeping tabs on their growth, you should easily be able to identify any sudden growth phases.
Frequently Inquired Questions about Baby’s Growth Phases
- How often do growth spurts occur in babies? Growth spurts can occur every few weeks or months, particularly in the first year.
- What are the main signs of a growth spurt in babies? Signs include increased hunger, altered sleep patterns, fussiness, and achieving new developmental milestones.
- How can I track my baby’s growth at home? Use the WHO growth chart for under 2s and regularly measure your baby’s length/height and weight.