Your baby was feeding every 3 hours and then suddenly wants to feed every hour. They are cranky, clingy, and seemingly never satisfied. You wonder if your milk supply has dropped or if something is wrong. Almost certainly, your baby is in a growth spurt.
What Is a Growth Spurt?
A growth spurt is a period of accelerated physical growth. During these periods, babies are more hungry, more tired, more irritable, and may temporarily reverse sleep improvements. They typically last 2 to 7 days and result in noticeable increases in length and weight.
When Growth Spurts Happen
Growth spurts are predictable and happen at roughly similar times for most babies: around 2 to 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. The 6-week and 3-month spurts are typically the most intense. These timings are approximate — every baby varies.
Signs of a Growth Spurt
Sudden increase in feeding frequency (breastfed babies may cluster feed for hours). Increased hunger in bottle-fed babies who previously seemed satisfied. Fussiness and irritability despite meeting all needs. Disrupted sleep after a period of improvement. Increased clinginess and need for contact.
What to Do
For breastfed babies: feed on demand during the spurt. Your milk supply works on supply and demand — the increased feeding will increase supply to meet the new demand within 24 to 48 hours. Do not supplement with formula during a growth spurt unless truly necessary as this reduces the breastfeeding signal.
For solid-eating babies: offer extra meals and snacks during the spurt. This is not a time to restrict food. Offer calorie-dense Indian foods: khichdi with ghee, banana with nut butter, curd with fruit, ragi porridge with dates.
For everyone: rest when you can. Growth spurts are temporary. They are a sign your baby is growing well. The intensity lasts a few days and then your baby emerges settled, satisfied, and often visibly bigger.