In the first several months, your newborn infant will grow quickly, and you might think he or she has grown overnight!!! Sometimes you will notice sudden changes in their appetite, sleep patterns, and even their mood. This can indicate a growth spurt. Growth spurt means short periods of time during which your child’s height and weight rapidly increase. They are a normal part of your child’s development and occur at different stages of their childhood until they reach physical maturity. Continue reading to learn what growth spurt means, their signs and how to deal with them.

What does growth spurt means ?

Growth spurt means rapid physical changes that occur as your child grows up, such as increases in height and weight. Baby’s growth spurt normally lasts only a few days. In this duration, they will need to breastfeed more frequently and for longer periods of time to keep up with their physical development. The baby may be fussier than usual, and his or her sleep patterns may be disrupted. Every day, your baby grows and adds weight, but a baby growth spurt is usually fast and sudden.

When do babies have growth spurt? 

Every individual child may go through a growth spurt at a different age. When your baby is born, the paediatrician will give you a chart to keep track of his or her growth stages. This is based on a WHO chart that records the height, weight, and head circumference of babies according to their age.

According to the average data, your baby will go through a growth spurt throughout the following stages of their first year:

• 1 – 3 weeks
• 6 – 8 weeks
• 3 months
• 6 months
• 9 months

Between the ages of 8 and 15 years, a child’s second growth spurt takes place. A growth spurt could last from two to three days to a week. Babies’ growth spurts are usually shorter, lasting up to three days, whereas teenage growth spurts can last up to a week. Some toddlers grow at a consistent rate throughout their toddler years, while others gain a few inches in a matter of months.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF GROWTH SPURTS:

The signs and symptoms described below may indicate that your child is going to go through growth spurts.

1. Outgrowing their clothes and shoes quickly:

Clothing that no longer fits your child is a classic sign that they are going through one of their growth stages. As their legs get longer, toddlers can quickly outgrow their pants. Some toddlers grow at a consistent rate throughout their toddler years, while others gain a few inches in a matter of months.

2. New ability:

Toddlers’ brain development is one of the numerous characteristics of their growth spurts. You will notice your child making rapid progress in areas like language and motor skills.

3. Appetite increase:

Your toddler’s calorie intake will increase as their body matures. Because toddlers are usually quite active, seeing your child’s hunger increase is common, but it could also indicate that your child is going through a growth spurt.

4. Cravings:

Toddlers frequently have a favourite food. Growth spurts, on the other hand, can lead your child to crave foods that contain the vitamins and minerals he or she requires.

5. Mood swings occur:

Your child may get fatigued and irritable as a result of bodily changes. Hormonal fluctuations can also affect their mood.

6. Growing pains are inevitable:

When children grow, they frequently experience mild pains and stiffness. Because their limbs are painful from growing pains, your child may be cranky, weary, or fussy.

7.Sleepiness:

Growing up can be exhausting!! Even if your child was formerly a champion sleeper, they may now be waking up at all hours of the night, restless, and hungry. Your kid may appear to be more exhausted than normal. As their bodies release growth hormone while they sleep, make sure they get the rest they require.

8. CRANKIness:

All toddlers can be clumsy, but limbs growing rapidly creates an additional coordination challenge.

CauseS of growth spurt: 

Growth spurts are caused by your child’s genetic profile or the genes they receive from their parents. The genes of your child will decide how tall they grow and how quickly they achieve their maximum height. Environmental conditions can influence your child’s growth, including:

• Diet and nutrition. 
• Exposure to negative substances in the water or atmosphere (pollution or lead).
• Abnormal fetal health or pregnancy complications.

How to deal with growth spurt?

During your child’s growth spurt, you can help them by doing the following:

• Providing them with more meals to satisfy their hunger.
• Encourage good sleeping habits and regular bedtimes.
• Pay attention to the baby’s overall health.
• Patience with their fluctuating emotions.

Also check, Food for enough nutrition

Foods required during the growth spurts in kids:

The child’s body needs a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals to grow properly in the duration of the growth spurt. A nutritious diet plan must provide all the essential nutrients like carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water in the required amounts. Requirements of essential nutrients vary with age, gender, physiological status and physical activity.

These are some foods that you should add to their diet for the complete nutrition of kids

CARBOHYDRATES:

Carbohydrates are also known as energy giving foods. It provides glucose, which is converted to energy and further used in body functioning and physical activities which helps to reduce tiredness during the growth spurt. Foods rich in carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet.

PROTEIN:

Protein is the body’s building block and repair agent. It also helps them to build a healthy and strong body during the growth spurt. It’s also integral in forming enzymes and hormones in the body. (What are some easy sources of protein for kids?)

IRON:

It is an important dietary mineral that is essential for the growth and development of kids both physical and mental growth. Iron helps form haemoglobin that is found in the blood cells of the body. (Foods for Iron deficiency)

CALCIUM:

One of the most important minerals in our body is CALCIUM. Calcium consumption during a growth spurt has a good impact on bone. Bones are 70% calcium and it is only calcium that gives bones their hardness for protection and support. Bones also serve as the calcium bank of the body.

VITAMINS:

Vitamin plays an important role during the growth spurts as it helps the body grow and work the way it should. There are 13 essential Vitamins — Vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and Vitamin Bs. Some help in eyesight and energy production, while others support healthy nerves and cells and in fighting infection. (Importance of different vitamins for kids)

HEALTHY FATS:

During the period of growth spurts, physical and brain development is at its peak point. Healthy fats are crucial to brain and overall physical development and can help stabilise mood. Also help with healthy metabolism, blood clotting and letting the body absorb vitamins.

FIBRE:

Fibre is a non-digestible carbohydrate. It is responsible for keeping our digestion healthy and regular. Lack of fibre rich food in diet may cause constipation, which creates a nutrient-deficient disease. In growth spurt nutrient requirement is more from the body. (Fibre-rich foods for constipation)

Your adorable newborn will be a kid before you realise it, racing about and making you chase them. So take advantage of this newborn stage, and comfort and assist them during any unpleasant growth spurt days with a little extra love and care.

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