One day your newborn is sleeping peacefully between feedings. The next, they’re suddenly nursing every hour, waking more often, and crying much more than usual. If you’ve been wondering whether something is wrong, take a deep breath. It may simply be a growth spurts.
Growth spurts are a normal part of your baby’s development, but they can catch even experienced parents off guard. As a mom of two, I remember questioning whether I was doing something wrong every time my babies suddenly wanted to eat around the clock. As a newborn photographer, I also hear the same concerns from new parents preparing for their sessions.
The good news is that growth spurts are a sign your baby is growing exactly as they should. Knowing when they typically happen and what to expect can help you feel more confident during these challenging days.
What Are Growth Spurts?
Growth spurts are short periods when babies grow more rapidly than usual. During these times, your baby’s body and brain are working hard, which often increases their need for calories, sleep, and comfort.
Every baby grows at their own pace, so not every newborn will experience growth spurts on the exact same schedule. Some babies may breeze through them, while others become noticeably fussier.
Most growth spurts last just two to three days, although some can last closer to a week.
Newborn Growth Spurts by Week
While every baby develops differently, there are several common times when parents notice sudden changes.
Around 7 to 10 Days
Your baby’s first growth spurt often happens within the first week or two after birth.
During this time, you may notice:
- More frequent feeding
- Longer nursing sessions
- Shorter naps
- Increased alertness
This early growth spurt helps babies regain and surpass their birth weight.
Around 2 to 3 Weeks
Many parents describe this stage as surprisingly difficult. Your baby may suddenly want to nurse constantly and seem much harder to settle.
Common signs include:
- Cluster feeding
- Increased crying
- Wanting to be held more often
- Sleeping in shorter stretches
If this sounds familiar, you may also enjoy reading Newborn Week 3: Why It Feels So Hard (and What’s Normal), where I explain why this stage often catches parents by surprise.
Around 6 Weeks
For many families, the six-week growth spurt feels like the biggest one.
Your baby may:
- Eat much more frequently
- Wake more overnight
- Become extra clingy
- Cry more often
This stage also overlaps with one of the peak periods of newborn fussiness as your baby’s nervous system continues developing.
If you’re currently experiencing this, my guide Why Is a 6 Week Old Baby So Fussy? explains what’s happening and offers practical ways to soothe your little one.
Around 8 to 10 Weeks
Many parents begin noticing positive changes around this stage.
Your baby may start:
- Smiling more intentionally
- Staying awake longer between naps
- Becoming more interested in faces
- Sleeping slightly longer stretches at night
Although some fussiness may continue, many families feel like life starts becoming a little more predictable.
If you’ve felt like these early weeks have been especially difficult, you may also enjoy The Hardest Weeks With a Newborn (Weeks 2, 6, 8–10).
Growth Spurts After 3 Months
Growth spurts don’t stop after the newborn stage. Babies continue growing rapidly throughout their first year, although changes often become less dramatic as feeding and sleep routines become more established.
Common Signs of Growth Spurts
Every baby is different, but many show similar signs during a growth spurt.
Feeding More Often
The most common sign is increased hunger. Whether you’re breastfeeding or formula feeding, your baby may suddenly want to eat much more frequently than usual.
Sleep Changes
Some babies sleep longer because growing takes energy, while others wake more often because they’re hungry.
Both can be completely normal.
Increased Fussiness
Growth spurts often leave babies wanting extra cuddles and comfort. They may cry more easily or have a harder time settling for naps.
New Developmental Skills
After a growth spurt, many parents notice exciting changes like stronger eye contact, bigger stretches, improved head control, or the first social smiles.
How to Help Your Baby During Growth Spurts
Growth spurts can’t be prevented, but there are simple ways to help your baby feel more comfortable.
Feed on Cue
Rather than watching the clock, pay attention to your baby’s hunger cues. Rooting, sucking on their hands, and smacking their lips often signal they’re ready to eat.
Prioritize Rest
Watch your baby’s wake windows and offer naps before they become overtired. An overtired baby often has a much harder time settling.
Offer Comfort
Skin-to-skin contact, baby wearing, rocking, and white noise can all help soothe babies during this stage.
Give Yourself Grace
Growth spurts can leave parents feeling exhausted too. Remember that this stage is temporary, and it’s okay to ask for help when you need it.
If you’re wondering when newborn life starts feeling a little easier, you may also enjoy When Do Things Get Easier With a Newborn?
When Should You Be Concerned?
Growth spurts are a normal part of development, but it’s important to know when fussiness may signal something more serious.
Contact your pediatrician if your baby:
- Has a fever
- Isn’t feeding well
- Has fewer wet diapers than usual
- Shows poor weight gain
- Has persistent vomiting
- Seems unusually sleepy or difficult to wake
- Has trouble breathing
If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. You know your baby better than anyone.
A Newborn Photographer’s Perspective on Growth Spurts
One of the most common things I hear from parents is, “Should we reschedule? My baby has been so fussy this week.”
The answer is usually no.
As both a newborn photographer and a mom of two, I’ve learned that babies don’t need to be perfectly sleepy to create beautiful photographs. My sessions are completely baby-led, with plenty of time for feeding, cuddling, diaper changes, and soothing.
Some of my favorite images have come from babies who spent half the session in their parents’ arms before finally drifting off to sleep.
These Early Days Won’t Last Forever
Growth spurts can make the newborn stage feel long, but they also remind us just how quickly babies change.
One week they’re curled up on your chest, waking every hour to eat. Before you know it, they’re smiling, rolling over, and growing into an entirely new stage of life.
That’s one of the reasons I believe so deeply in newborn photography. It’s not about having a “perfect” baby or a perfectly calm day. It’s about preserving this tiny chapter exactly as it is because it won’t last forever.
If you’re expecting or recently welcomed your little one, I’d love to help you document these early days with a relaxed, baby-led newborn session in my Yucaipa studio. Families from Redlands, Beaumont, Calimesa, Loma Linda, and throughout the Inland Empire come to me for an experience that moves at your baby’s pace.
Take a look at my newborn portfolio to see recent sessions, or contact me to start planning your own. Even if your baby happens to be going through a growth spurt, we’ll take our time and create images you’ll treasure for years to come.