Growth spurt or brain development stage?

Hi, I'm Alba, co-founder of BALULU!

In just a few weeks, I'll be graduating as a lactation consultant (as long as I keep studying every day!). I'm also attending La Leche League training meetings. All of this allows me to share content with trusted sources on our Instagram account and here via our blogs.

Don't hesitate to follow us! This week, I've prepared a series of informative articles on everything you need to know about storing breast milk!

Today's topic: How do you know if your baby is going through a growth spurt or brain development stage ?

Did you know that there is a difference between the so-called "peak growth days" and brain development milestones?

As a parent, it can be difficult to understand the changes your baby is going through. Crying, disturbed sleep, irritability... These signs could be a growth spurt, but they could also be a significant stage in brain development (or maybe the baby is sick, teething, or hasn't slept well...). Yes, there are many possible reasons, but some developmental milestones are scientifically proven, and that's what we're going to talk about today.

So how do you tell the difference ?

Understanding Growth Spikes

Growth spurts, also called "growth spurts" or "peak days," are periods when your baby grows and develops at an accelerated rate. Baby growth isn't linear, but there are specific, scientifically defined periods, especially during the first year.

Here are those precise moments :

15-20 days

- Your baby demands the breast or bottle more often, especially at night, due in part to a feeling of insecurity caused by nightfall.

6-7 weeks

- Your baby demands the breast or bottle more often, shows irritability, and the mother often feels like she does not have enough milk.

3 months

- This is a crucial time in the breastfeeding journey. Breast milk changes during this period and does not come out as quickly as before, so baby must wait one to two minutes after starting to suckle for the milk to begin flowing.

- Babies become more distracted, start wanting to fall asleep only at the breast, cry as soon as you put them to the breast, and express the available milk much faster than before.

12 months

- At 12 months, some babies will ask for the breast more, while others less. They will tend to eat less and are satisfied with breast milk. This stage is passing, and rest assured, your milk provides most of the benefits he needs.

24 months*

It's not really a growth spurt, but rather:

- Separation anxiety.

- They may ask for more breastfeeds to calm down due to their emotional instability at this stage of their life.

- Asking for the breast is a way to connect with their mother and feel that she still loves them.

During these periods, he may also wake up more frequently at night or have difficulty falling asleep. Growth spurts generally last a few days (maximum 10 days).

Stages of brain development

Your baby's brain develops at a rapid pace during the first year of life. This development is accompanied by several key milestones, which can sometimes manifest themselves through signs similar to growth spurts:

3-4 months

- Vision development accelerates, your baby begins to take an interest in his surroundings and to follow objects with his gaze. He also wakes up more frequently and seems more restless.

8 months

- Separation fear manifests. The baby cries when his mother is not with him. This is the moment when he begins to understand that he is not an "extension" of his mother.

These stages of brain development can last several weeks or even months.

How to distinguish growth spurts from brain development stages?

1. Duration: Growth spurts are generally short and intense, while brain development stages occur more gradually and last longer.

1. Symptoms: Growth spurts are primarily manifested by changes in appetite and sleep, while brain development milestones are often accompanied by new skills and behavioral changes.

In conclusion

Growth spurts and brain development milestones are important phases in your baby's life. By understanding the distinctive signs of each, you'll be better able to guide and support them as they grow.

Remember that the key to making these stages work better for both you and your baby is to be patient. Remember, you shouldn't stop breastfeeding for any of these reasons. On the contrary, with your milk, you'll be giving your baby all the best nutrients to help them develop better (and get sick less often!).

Alba,