Growth Spurt

A growth spurt is a short period of time when your child’s height (length) and weight rapidly increase. Growth spurts affect babies, children and adolescents. Each child’s growth pattern is unique. Your child will grow at their own pace until they reach physical maturity.

Growth spurts are nothing to worry about. They’re a natural, healthy part of your child’s development. Before long, this time will pass. Your child will be a little taller and a little heavier. They’ll be on their way to becoming a full-grown adult.

When do babies have growth spurts?

Many baby growth spurts happen during your infant’s first year. They’ll likely happen quickly and suddenly. While every baby is different, typical infant growth spurts occur at:

• 2 to 3 weeks
• 6 weeks
• 3 months
• 6 months
• 9 months

In all, your baby will grow about 10 inches (25 centimeters) longer during their first year. They’ll triple their weight by the time they turn 1.

Baby growth spurts are the physical changes that occur as your infant ages. They’re different than developmental milestones. They may happen at the same time, but developmental milestones are the actions and skills that mark your child’s maturity at specific stages (like language development and fine motor skills).

Childhood growth spurt ages

Growth spurts continue at different stages of your child’s development based on their age. Toddler growth spurts are limited. Their height and weight usually increase at a consistent pace.

Between preschool and puberty, your child’s eating habits will change. This makes their growth slow and steady. By 5 years old, your child should double their height from birth. This growth continues with regular increases in height and weight each year until adolescence.

Adolescents will reach their growth spurts around the same time as puberty. This age varies depending on their sex. Females experience growth spurts between ages 9 and 15. Males experience growth spurts between ages 12 and 17. Adolescents will increase in height at an average of 3 to 4 inches (9 to 10 centimeters) each year during a growth spurt.

Growth spurt symptoms

Changes in your child’s height and weight are the most immediate signs that they’re experiencing a growth spurt. Other signs of a growth spurt may include:

• Increase or decrease in hunger
• Fussiness or emotional outbursts
• Changes in sleep habits
• Baby teeth appearing and adult (permanent) teeth replacing baby teeth
• Sexual development (menstruation, voice change, pubic and armpit hair growth)

What does a growth spurt feel like?

Growth spurts don’t feel like anything. You may notice eating or sleeping changes that make your baby fussier than normal. But that isn’t a sign of pain. Growth spurts don’t cause arm and leg pains like growing pains do. Any uneasiness during your child’s growth spurts is temporary.

Growth spurt causes

Genetics play a key role in growth spurts. Your child’s genes will determine how tall they’ll grow. Genes will also be a factor in how quickly your child will reach their greatest height.

In addition to their genetic makeup, environmental factors can affect your child’s growth. These can include:

• Pregnancy complications
• What they eat and their access to healthy food options
• Exposure to harmful substances in the water or atmosphere
• The amount of sleep they get
• How much exercise they get

How doctors diagnose a growth spurt

Your child’s healthcare provider will track your baby’s height and weight during their well checkups. They’ll use a scale, measuring tape or measuring table (stadiometer). Growth charts identify whether your child is growing on target according to their peers of the same age.

Since a growth spurt doesn’t cause any health problems, there’s no need to rush to the pediatrician’s office. Instead, your child’s provider will track changes in your child’s height and weight at their next checkup. They’ll let you know if they’re following the typical pattern of growth for their age.

How do I support my child during their growth spurt?

Babies younger than a year old express their growth spurts through fussiness and periods of increased hunger. For school-age children and adolescents, growth spurts trigger changes in appetite, sleep and behavior. During your child’s growth spurt, you can support them by:

• Providing extra meals to satisfy their appetite
• Encouraging regular bedtime and positive sleeping habits
• Being patient with their changing emotions

When should my child see their healthcare provider?

Contact your child’s provider if all the following describe your baby:

• They become fussy or express discomfort
• Their symptoms are difficult to ease
• Their symptoms last more than a week
• They’re not showing any signs of illness

What questions should I ask my child’s healthcare provider?

Questions you may want to ask your child’s provider include:

• If my child complains of pain in their arms and legs, does that relate to a growth spurt?
• Is my child meeting growth expectations for their age?
• If my child doesn’t reach their growth milestones at the same time as their peers, is it a sign of a developmental delay?

How long do growth spurts last?

Growth spurts don’t last long. In babies, they tend to be shorter — they may last up to three days. Growth spurts in adolescents may occur multiple times over a couple of years.

Are growth spurts preventable?

No, and you don’t want to prevent them. They’re a natural part of the growth process. Your child will experience growth spurts at their own pace. They’ll happen when their body says it’s time to increase their height and weight.