What Are Growth Peaks And How Do You Tackle This Process?

Growth spikes are also called seizures and are a completely normal process of child development. Know what they are and what is the best way to face these challenges of motherhood.

When you hold your baby in your arms, you experience an indescribable emotion that you want to linger over time. However, your child will grow up to be a healthy and healthy child.

During this time, you will have to experience some changes, such as so-called peaks of growth. This is completely normal as your child is starting to develop.

What are growth peaks?

Crisis, spurts or growth peaks are considered to be the moments when babies experience an increase in size. As a result, this makes them feel dissatisfied with their breast milk production and demand even more.

During these periods, it is normal for them to feel uncomfortable and cry a lot, as if they are complaining of dissatisfaction.

This natural process makes the mother produce more breast milk and thus meet the child’s needs. Keep in mind that this production is regulated by the baby’s demand, so everything will settle down naturally.

Why do spikes occur?

These stages of the baby’s life occur, as the name implies, due to growth. The baby grows and requires a greater amount of food to ensure the energy needed for neurological, motor and even psychological development. Likewise, the mother’s body increases its production in response to such a request.

How often do growth peaks occur?

Each child is very different from the other and has specific needs, so the length of time that growth peaks occur can vary. However, they are usually more frequent in the first months of life.

In general terms, they can occur at the following times:

Between 15 and 20 days of birth

At birth, babies usually have more or less regular needs, with predictable sleep patterns.

However, by the third week, this pattern changes and so does the behavior. For about two or three days, the baby will request feedings every 30 minutes and will be angry if we remove him from the breast.

Between 6 and 7 weeks of age

It is estimated that, 40 days after the baby is born, the milk changes its composition to a saltier taste. Again, this crisis is experienced again, in such a way that the baby will be tense and irritable due to adapting to the change. This phase usually lasts up to 1 week.

third month of age

It is during this period that a large number of mothers give up breastfeeding due to the rejection of the baby. At this age, the baby already knows how to feed and is able to empty the breast quickly. However, external stimuli cause him to become distracted and let go of his chest.

At this point, the baby can understand that milk production occurs when he asks for it, due to various processes in the mother’s body. This adaptation can last up to 3 or 4 weeks.

sixth month of life

After six months of age, growth crises are less frequent because the baby starts consuming solid foods. For this reason, crises are easier to deal with and the mother is able to understand them without despair.

From one year of age onwards

After 12 months, new growth peaks occur that increase the number of feeds per day. During this period, the frequency is multiple and serves for the child to seek comfort and comfort in the mother.

What to do in the face of a growth crisis?

Especially in first-time mothers, this condition can generate frustration and feelings of worthlessness. Therefore, you must work the psychological part and reinforce it with a lot of patience, affection and love.

Some tips from the experts are:

• Breastfeed your baby as much as he wants and whenever he needs it. If your goal is exclusive breastfeeding, avoid giving the bottle, as this hinders milk production.
• Consume a little more food. In this way, you will be able to count on the calories and energy needed to produce milk and care for the baby.

• Remember, it’s a passing thing. Think that this is a situation that will last for a short time.
• If the child doesn’t want to feed, don’t make him. However, don’t let her cry from hunger either, because when the child gets desperate, feeding becomes more difficult.

Finally, keep in mind that it is a natural growth process that is accompanied by crying and stress. Therefore, it is necessary to inform yourself. Understanding this process can help you use the right tools to act and not fail.

In short, growth peaks are nothing more than a sign that the baby is growing into a healthy child. So, being prepared can help you reduce the frustration generated by this natural development process.