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What is a growth peak in the baby?
It is also referred to as a “peak day” or “growth spurt”. These are days or periods when the infant will tend to ask for more to eat, milk in this case. A growth peak is thus marked by more feedings or bottles, depending on whether you are breastfeeding or not. For a new breastfeeding mother, this period can be quite trying, and give the impression that the baby is spending his time at the breast.
Note that the expression of “rush day”Rather than peak growth, as these intense needs translate more into the achievement of important stages of development (smile, sitting position, teeth, acquisition of walking …) than by a real growth peak visible on the growth curves. Note also that an event, such as a move or a change in the child’s environment, may be accompanied by a growth peak, or peak day.
6 weeks, 3 months, and the 3-6-9 rule: when do growth peaks occur?
Peak growth, or peak infant days, occur around 7 10 days in after birth, at the 3rd week of life, toward 6 weeks, then around 3 months, 6 months. The time between peaks increases as the baby grows. We sometimes talk about the 3-6-9 rule, which indicates that a peak occurs at 3, 6 and then 9 weeks, then at 3,6 and 9 months. In reality, these are only indicators. Keep in mind that all babies are different, and it is impossible to predict precisely when growth peaks will occur.
Knowing about these phenomena and having an idea of when they occur simply allows you to better prepare for them and experience them well when they occur.
Note that growth peaks can also occur without a specific date, during an episode of baby’s own development (dental flare, illness) or a family upheaval (moving, change of childcare, vacations, etc.).
How do I know if my baby is growing?
Baby is restless, grumpy. He can cry a lot, he seems insatiable. Nothing seems to please him except eating. When breastfeeding, it gives the impression that your child is spending his time at the breast, breastfeeding.
As a consequence of this insatiability, baby disrupts the rhythm of feedings, since it constantly asks for the breast, or almost. It can also be particularly “glue pot”, sleep less or change his sleeping habits.
Growth peak and bottle: a less marked stage
Note that growth peaks can be less marked in case of artificial breastfeeding with infant milk, because it suffices to increase the doses of the bottles to meet the baby’s demand. In addition, infant formula packs generally take growth peaks into account, in that they gradually adapt the quantities of milk to be given to the baby.
What are the signs of a baby growth spurt?
More frequent and anarchic feedings, this is what awaits young breastfeeding mothers during a peak of growth. Baby’s appetite increased, and as it takes time for the breasts to adapt to demand, he is not full for a long time after a feed. As a result, he claims more often.
What to do? The best way to experience peak growth is to meet this demand, this increased need.
Note that it can happen to confuse the baby’s growth spurt with a teething. Baby is also irritable, grumpy. On the other hand, if it is his teeth or gums that are causing him pain, he will have less appetite and will want to bite anything that comes within his reach. Red, swollen cheeks can also be a good indicator: nothing like this happens during a growth spurt.
On the mother’s side, a growth spike in the baby can cause pain in the nipples, since they are more stressed. To soothe them, at the end of the feed, you can spread a drop of breast milk or a finger of lanolin on the nipple, a gesture that can also be done to prevent cracks.
Breastfeeding: How to survive group feedings?
During a growth peak, feedings are more frequent, but also often closer to each other. We are talking about group feedings, often over a single time of day, for example in the late afternoon or evening.
As soon as we know it, we can prepare for it. Three watchwords should be remembered in order to “survive” as a young breastfeeding mother:
- Organization:
For one to three days, the baby is at risk of being “hung” at the breast. We then put in place little tips to experience all this at best, for example asking for help from those around him, buying ready-made meals (once is not customary), by arranging a quiet and comfortable space for breastfeeding, on the sofa or in bed, with a nursing pillow …
- Patience :
Keep in mind that this period is transient, the time that the supply adapts to the demand, that the lactation changes. These peaks can be trying, but they are necessary and above all inevitable. We take our troubles patiently, taking advantage of these moments of cuddling and skin to skin with baby.
- Availability:
During these growth peaks, baby needs his mom more. We do not hesitate to keep it close to you when carrying it, skin-to-skin, in co-sleeping with an adapted bed placed next to the parental bed. In order to be able to give the breast quickly, and to avoid a lot of crying.
In addition, it is quite possible to implement tips to have more milk, so that milk production quickly adapts to baby’s increased needs. Here are a few, in disarray:
- Drink lots of water (breast milk contains more than 80%);
- Avoid pacifier and bottle, which have the advantage of meeting the infant’s need for sucking, but the disadvantage of not stimulating the mammary glands;
- Bring baby to the breast on demand, without waiting to have tried a lot of other things to calm him down;
- Give both breasts at each feed if you feel the baby is not full, to further stimulate lactation;
- Drink breastfeeding herbal teas and / or non-alcoholic beer;
- Enrich your dishes with fenugreek, a galactogenic plant (which makes you hungry, however, and which should be avoided in case of diabetes);
- Use homeopathy to stimulate your milk production (especially with Ricinus 5 CH and Alfalfa 6 D).
Be careful, however, these tips are general and do not replace those of a lactation counselor or your doctor, who are better able to give recommendations on a case-by-case basis.
How long does a growth spike last?
It is estimated that a growth peak, or peak day, lasts 24 to 72 hours on average, sometimes more. But again, it varies a lot from baby to baby, and from peak to growth. The key is to remain attentive to signs of hunger, and put the baby to the breast regularly, so that the breasts produce more, so that the supply quickly adapts to the baby’s demand.