Your baby grows in bursts, not at a steady pace. These sudden surges in growth bring increased feeding, fussiness, and disrupted sleep — but they are temporary and completely normal.
AAPEvidence-based content
1-2 WeeksLasts 1-2 days
The first growth spurt typically happens around 7-10 days of life, right as your baby is regaining birth weight. Babies commonly lose up to 7-10% of their birth weight in the first few days and then begin gaining it back. This spurt helps them get back to and surpass their birth weight by around 2 weeks of age.
Signs to look for
Wanting to feed almost constantly (cluster feeding)
Fussiness and irritability, especially in the evening
Shorter, more restless sleep cycles
Seeming hungrier than usual even after a full feed
What you can do
Feed on demand - your baby is signaling your body to increase milk supply
This is not a sign that you are not producing enough milk
Rest when your baby rests; your body is also recovering from birth
Skin-to-skin contact helps regulate your baby and supports feeding
3 WeeksLasts 2-3 days
At around 3 weeks, babies go through another rapid growth phase. They may gain about 1 ounce (30 grams) per day during this period. This spurt often coincides with increased alertness as your baby becomes more aware of their surroundings. The constant feeding can be exhausting, but it typically resolves within a few days.
Signs to look for
Increased feeding frequency - may want to nurse every 1-1.5 hours
More fussiness and difficulty settling
Wanting to be held constantly
Shorter naps or more nighttime waking
What you can do
Cluster feeding is normal and temporary - it is building your milk supply
If bottle feeding, offer an extra ounce or an additional feeding
Babywearing can help soothe your baby while keeping your hands free
Accept help from others so you can rest during this demanding phase
6 WeeksLasts 2-3 days
The 6-week growth spurt is one of the most noticeable because it often coincides with peak fussiness in infancy. Babies may feed 12 or more times in 24 hours. This is also the age when your baby starts producing social smiles, so you may see increased alertness alongside the fussiness. Many parents feel most overwhelmed during this spurt, but it typically passes within 2-3 days.
Signs to look for
Pronounced increase in appetite and feeding sessions
Peak fussiness - this is often the fussiest period of infancy
Disrupted sleep patterns that had just started to become more predictable
Clinginess and needing more physical comfort
May seem unsatisfied after feeds that previously seemed adequate
What you can do
This spurt often overlaps with the peak of colic/fussiness (typically worst at 6-8 weeks)
Keep offering feeds - your supply adjusts within 24-48 hours
Evening fussiness is common and is not necessarily a sign of insufficient milk
Take turns with your partner for soothing - this phase is temporary
Talk to your pediatrician if fussiness is severe or your baby seems in pain
3 MonthsLasts 3-7 days
Around 3 months, babies go through a significant growth spurt that may be the most disruptive yet. By this age, most babies have nearly doubled their birth weight. This spurt can also coincide with a developmental leap - your baby is becoming more socially engaged, discovering their hands, and developing better head control. Some parents mistake the increased waking for a sleep regression, but it is typically driven by hunger and growth.
Signs to look for
Sudden increase in hunger after a more predictable feeding schedule
More nighttime waking after previously longer stretches
Increased fussiness or crankiness during the day
May seem distracted during feeds - looking around instead of eating
Changes in nap length or patterns
What you can do
Feed in a quiet, dimly lit room if your baby is getting easily distracted
This is often when breastfed babies start feeding more efficiently (shorter feeds, not less milk)
Growth rate may slow slightly after this spurt - this is normal
Offer feeds before baby gets overtired; tired babies feed less effectively
4 MonthsLasts 3-7 days (may overlap with sleep regression)
The 4-month growth spurt is notorious because it frequently overlaps with the 4-month sleep regression. While the growth spurt itself lasts a few days, the sleep changes from the regression represent a permanent maturation of sleep cycles. During this time, babies are also developing rapidly - rolling, reaching for objects, and becoming much more interactive. Many parents find this the most difficult spurt, but the growth and development that comes with it is remarkable.
Signs to look for
Increased appetite and more frequent feeds
Significant disruption to sleep (this overlaps with the 4-month sleep regression)
Irritability and fussiness that seems disproportionate
May start showing increased interest in watching you eat
Rapid weight gain during this period
What you can do
This growth spurt often overlaps with the 4-month sleep regression, making it doubly challenging
Do not start solids just because your baby seems hungrier - AAP recommends waiting until about 6 months
Interest in your food is a developmental milestone, not necessarily hunger for solids
Sleep disruptions from the regression are a permanent change in sleep cycles - not just the spurt
Share nighttime duties if possible; this is one of the toughest phases
6 MonthsLasts 3-5 days
By 6 months, most babies have approximately tripled their birth weight. This growth spurt often coincides with the introduction of solid foods, teething, and the emergence of separation anxiety. Babies at this age are also becoming mobile - sitting up independently, possibly starting to crawl - which increases their caloric needs. The combination of physical growth, new feeding patterns, and developmental leaps can make this a busy and sometimes overwhelming period.
Signs to look for
Increased hunger - may want more frequent breastfeeds or larger bottles
Waking at night after having slept through or mostly through
Fussiness and clinginess, possibly with increased separation anxiety
Rapid physical growth - may outgrow clothes noticeably
Increased drooling (which may also coincide with teething)
What you can do
This is around when many babies are ready to start solid foods (discuss with your pediatrician)
Starting solids does not replace breast milk or formula - food is complementary at this stage
If your baby is eating solids, do not reduce milk feeds to compensate for the growth spurt
Teething may coincide with this spurt - offer a chilled teething ring for relief
Separation anxiety is developmentally normal and a sign of healthy attachment
9 MonthsLasts 3-5 days
The 9-month growth spurt is the last major growth spurt of the first year. It frequently overlaps with the 8-10 month sleep regression and peak separation anxiety. Babies at this age are incredibly active - crawling, pulling to stand, cruising, and exploring everything. This increased activity combined with growth creates a significant caloric demand. After this spurt, growth typically slows somewhat, and most babies gain weight more gradually during the second year of life.
Signs to look for
Increased appetite for both milk and solid foods
Disrupted sleep - may coincide with the 8-10 month sleep regression
Clinginess and separation anxiety (often peaks around 9 months)
Possible regression in sleep skills that had been established
Very active and energetic during the day but extra fussy
What you can do
Ensure solid food portions are age-appropriate - your baby's stomach is about the size of their fist
Continue offering breast milk or formula as the primary nutrition source until 12 months
Practice separation in small doses during the day to help with nighttime anxiety
Ensure enough daytime calories so nighttime waking is less likely to be hunger-driven
This spurt often coincides with crawling, pulling up, and cruising - your baby needs extra energy for these activities
General Tips for All Growth Spurts
1Growth spurts are temporary - most last 2-7 days. The increased fussiness and feeding will pass.
2Feed on demand during growth spurts. Breast milk supply adjusts within 24-48 hours to meet increased demand. If formula feeding, offer extra ounces or an additional bottle.
3Weight gain is not perfectly linear. Babies grow in spurts and plateaus, and this is completely normal. Your pediatrician tracks growth over time, not day-to-day.
4Not all fussy days are growth spurts. Illness, teething, developmental leaps, and overstimulation can all cause similar symptoms. When in doubt, check with your pediatrician.
5Growth spurts can be exhausting for parents. Accept help, lower your expectations for housework, and prioritize rest. This is a sprint, not a marathon.
6Every baby is different. Your baby may not hit these growth spurts at the exact ages listed - these are averages, and variation of 1-2 weeks is completely normal.
