My Toddler's Behavior Changes During Growth Spurts
The short answer
Growth spurts in toddlers can cause temporary behavior changes including increased hunger, extra sleepiness, fussiness, and clinginess. These episodes typically last a few days to a week and are a normal part of development. Growth spurts are less predictable in toddlers than in babies but may occur every few months.
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By Age
What to expect by age
Growth spurts may occur every 2-3 months. Your toddler may eat voraciously for a few days, sleep more, and be clingier. Some parents notice their child's shoes or clothes suddenly seem too small. These are temporary phases.
Growth spurts continue but overall growth rate slows compared to infancy. Your toddler may go through periods of increased appetite followed by periods of pickier eating. Both patterns are normal.
Growth spurts become less frequent but can still cause temporary behavior changes. Growing pains (leg aches at night) may begin during this period. Offering extra nutritious snacks during high-appetite periods supports healthy growth.
Growth continues at a steady pace with occasional spurts. By this age, children typically gain about 4-5 pounds and 2-3 inches per year. Behavior changes during growth spurts are usually mild.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Increased hunger and fussiness lasting a few days.
- Your toddler sleeps more than usual for a short period.
- Behavior returns to normal within a week.
- Your toddler is otherwise healthy.
- Behavior changes last more than 2 weeks.
- Your toddler has persistent pain or discomfort.
- Appetite changes are extreme and prolonged.
- Behavior changes are accompanied by fever, weight loss, or developmental regression.
- Pain is severe or interferes with walking or sleep.
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
Worrying about your baby means you care. That is a good thing.
Related Physical Concerns
My Toddler Has Leg Pains at Night
Growing pains are common, affecting up to 40% of children, and typically begin between ages 2-4. They cause aching pain in the legs, usually in the evening or at night, and do not cause limping or joint swelling. Massage, warm compresses, and gentle stretching usually help. If your child limps, has joint swelling, or has daytime pain, other causes should be evaluated.
My Baby Seems to Use One Side More Than the Other
Babies should use both sides of their body fairly equally during the first 18 months of life. While slight preferences can be normal, a consistent pattern of favoring one side - using one arm much more than the other, crawling with one leg dragging, or turning the head predominantly one way - should always be discussed with your pediatrician. Early identification of asymmetry leads to the best outcomes.
My Baby Only Army Crawls
Army crawling (also called commando crawling) is a completely valid and normal way for babies to move. Many babies army crawl for weeks or even months before transitioning to hands-and-knees crawling, and some skip hands-and-knees crawling entirely. What matters is that your baby is independently mobile and exploring their environment.
One Side of My Baby's Body Moves Differently
Babies should generally use both sides of their body equally. If one side consistently moves differently, is weaker, stiffer, or less coordinated, this warrants evaluation. Asymmetric movement can indicate hemiplegia (cerebral palsy affecting one side), brachial plexus injury, or other neurological conditions that benefit from early therapy.
My Baby Crawls Unevenly
While some variation in crawling patterns is normal, consistently favoring one side or dragging one limb while crawling warrants attention. Babies should use both arms and both legs relatively equally when crawling. Persistent asymmetry could indicate muscle tone differences, hip issues, or neurological concerns that benefit from early evaluation.
My Baby Still Has the Fencing Reflex (Persistent ATNR)
The asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR, also called the fencing reflex) causes your baby to extend the arm on the side they are looking toward. It should integrate between 4-6 months. If the ATNR persists strongly beyond 6 months, it can interfere with bringing hands to midline, bilateral hand use, and rolling. Evaluation is recommended.