When are the major growth spurts?

[barryzchick]

When do they occur from birth to 2 years of age?  It seems like they always take me by surprise....

thanks!

[Samuel's mum]

Sadly they aren't always predictable and babies have their own patterns but roughly roughly:

Common times for growth spurts are during the first few days at home and around 7-10 days, 2-3 weeks, 4-6 weeks, (so yes, that does pretty much mean a permanent growth spurt for some for the first couple of months!!)

Then maybe 3 months, 4 months, 6 months and 9 months (more or less), a year.

Then perhaps every few months during the toddler years (around 2 is often reported) and periodically thereafter on through the teenage years.

It may not necessarily precede a period of physical growth but also a developmental advance.

As you say - they can take you by surprise but that can happen anyway even if you do know the 'schedule'. The best thing is just to keep an eye on baby's cues as you are. If you stick too much by the calendar you could drive yourself loopy - some babies have growth spurts that are fairly subtle, others have a crazy week.

[barryzchick]

Thank you for your input!  It seems hindsight is 20/20 at my house... I can identify it once it's passed and after I notice a change in her physically or mentally.  I had no idea they were even that noticeable until I was in the middle of the first one at three weeks.  Our pediatrician had failed to say anything and I thought something was wrong because she wanted to eat almost every hour... I was going crazy! 

My daughter is almost 7 months so hopefully, I can anticipate the next one a little better!!