What Are Growth Peaks And How To Deal With The Process?
When you hold your baby in your arms, you experience an indescribable emotion that you want to prolong over time. However, your little one will grow into a healthy and healthy child. In that time, you will have to experience some changes, such as so-called growth peaks. This is completely normal; is that your little one begins to develop.
What are growth peaks?
Growth crises, outbreaks or peaks are those moments in which babies experience an increase in height. This results in them being dissatisfied with the production of breast milk and demanding even more. During these periods it is normal for them to feel uncomfortable and cry a lot, complaining about their dissatisfaction.
This natural process causes the mother to produce more breast milk and meet the needs of the little one. Keep in mind that this production is regulated by the baby’s requirements, so everything will be arranged naturally.
Why do they occur?
These stages in the life of the baby are given, as the name implies, by growth. The little one grows and demands more food to satisfy the energy of neurological, motor and even psychological development. Likewise, the mother’s body increases its production when faced with such a request.
How often do the growth peaks occur?
Each little one is very different and has specific needs, so the time interval in which the growth peaks occur can vary. However, these tend to be more frequent during the first months of life. In general terms, they can occur in these instances:
Between 15 and 20 days old
Babies usually have more or less regular needs at birth, with predictable sleep patterns. However, by the third week, this pattern changes and behavior changes; For about two to three days, the baby will request feedings every 30 minutes and will be angry if the breast is removed.
Between 6 and 7 weeks of age
It is estimated that, at 40 days after the baby is born, milk changes its composition for a more salty taste. Again, you experience this crisis again, so you will become tense and irritable from adapting to change. This phase usually lasts up to 1 week.
Third month of age
It is in this period when a large number of mothers abandon breastfeeding, as a result of the rejection of the child. Already at this age, the little one knows how to feed and achieves the emptying of the breast quickly. However, external stimuli cause him to become distracted and loosen his chest.
At this point, the baby manages to understand that milk production occurs when he asks for it, due to various processes in the mother’s body. This adaptation can be extended up to 3 or 4 weeks.
Sixth month of life
After six months of age, growth crises are less frequent, because the baby begins to consume solid food. For this reason, they are more manageable and the mother manages to understand them without despair.
From one year of age onwards
After 12 months, new growth peaks occur that increase the number of feedings per day. In this period, the frequencies are multiple and serve for the child to seek consolation and comfort from the mother.
What to do in a growth crisis?
Especially in new mothers, this condition can generate frustration and feelings of worthlessness. Therefore, you must work on the psychological part and reinforce it with a lot of patience, affection and love. Some tips from the experts are:
- Give your baby the breast he wants and when he needs it: If your goal is to exclusively breastfeed, avoid giving bottles, as this hinders milk production.
- Consume a little more food: Thus, you will be able to count on the calories and energy necessary for the production of milk and to take care of the little one.
- Remember that it is transitory: Think that it is a situation that will last a short time.
- If the little one does not want to feed, do not force him: Do not let him cry from hunger, because when he goes into despair, feeding becomes difficult.
Finally, keep in mind that it is a natural growth process that is accompanied by crying and stress, so the information is necessary. Understanding this process can help you use the right tools to act and not fail.
In short, growth peaks are nothing more than an indication that the baby is growing into a healthy child. Being prepared can help reduce the frustration of this natural developmental process.
