Growth Spurts
Growth spurts are an important part of an infants growth. Growth spurts last anywhere from 2 days to a week. It is important to follow your baby’s lead during this time as they will likely be more fussy and want to nurse more frequently. They may also wake more frequently at night. Allowing your baby to nurse frequently will trigger your body to produce more milk to meet the demands of your baby, this will also help comfort and soothe your baby if he/she is fussy. Growth spurts happen when your baby is growing taller whereas developmental spurts happen when baby is working toward meeting a developmental milestone such as rolling over or sitting up unassisted. Both spurts will cause this behavior from your baby. These spurts happen around the first 7-10 days, 2-3 weeks, 4-6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months.
Nursing mothers may also notice an increase in appetite or be more thirsty than usual. This is normal!! It is important to keep snacks and water nearby as your body is working hard to meet your baby’s needs. It may seem as though your baby is constantly wanting to nurse and you may question your supply so trust your body to do what it needs to do and remember that these spurts are only temporary.
Growth spurts
Cluster Feeding
Cluster feeding is when babies bunch feeding close together during one time of the day to go longer in between feedings at other times. Cluster feeding usually-not always happens at night to prepare for a longer stretch of sleep. Baby may want to nurse every hour or constantly during this stretch.
Cluster feeding behavior is typically your baby’s fussy time. Your baby may fuss, nurse for a few minutes, pull off, then fuss again and so on. This behavior can last hours at a time. It’s during cluster feedings that mothers may start to question their supply, however this behavior is normal and mothers should offer the breast often especially during the first couple months when a new mothers supply is forming and beginning to regulate to meet the needs of her growing baby.
Cluster feeding is a baby’s way of creating a milk supply that will meet his/her demands until the next growth spurt so offering the breast frequently is a key component in creating a healthy supply. During cluster feeding there is no need to supplement with formula.
Cluster Feeding and Fussy Evenings