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Can someone describe a growth spurt - help please!

10 replies

Igglybuff · 26/10/2009 19:52

Hi there I've been BF my baby who's three and a bit weeks. I'm confused about growth spurts... He's not had a period of constant feeding which makes me worry he's not had a growth spurt. We've had the odd day where he has fussed and wanted boob for a couple of hours but never more than that...
So can he have spurts but not in a textbook fashion? He put on 10oz in first two weeks but not been weighed since and was 9lb 4oz at birth so a big boy!

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hairymelons · 26/10/2009 19:54

Well, you're not missing anything, they can be v tiring!
If he's weeing and pooing plenty and his weight gain is steady I'm sure all is fine. How often is he feeding?

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Igglybuff · 26/10/2009 20:11

He feeds every two hours, sometimes less at night and about every 2.5 to 3 in the day. Lots of poo and wee... He has had fussy days where he wants more but he still sleeps for stretches. I just imagine a spurt to be constant and baby doesn't sleep (as well as mum!). Is it possible that he does it in shorter bursts over a few days?

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hairymelons · 26/10/2009 20:24

It's possible that he is feeding efficiently and you are able to produce enough milk to meet his demands very quickly. It sounds like you have a great BF relationship.
I'm very jealous, DS was on a perma-growth spurt until he was about 5 months old! You're right about spurts usually being about constant feeding etc. but I'm sure everyone's experience is different.
If you are worried you could get him weighed to set your mind at ease. It sounds to me like you are doing great though

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Igglybuff · 26/10/2009 20:34

Thanks hairymelons - although when I'm crying at 2am as he pulls my nips, it doesn't feel great!! I'm worrying about how I'll cope with a spurt as the nights are hard enough. Midwife is coming on Friday so will get him weighed again.

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Tangle · 27/10/2009 00:15

I didn't notice a growth spurt with DD till 6 weeks - and then I suddenly had a day when it seemed all I did was feed her and change her. Even then she'd sleep, although not for so long. What I lost was the chance to put her down for 10 minutes here and there on her playmat (and she'd decided the moses basket was evil for napping during the day and would only sleep if I held her). I got through a lot of books!

Is he getting bigger in his clothes? If its all coming out the other end then it does suggest everything is fine, but talk it over with the MW to put your mind at rest.

btw - IIRC DD slept better after that day than she had the previous few nights, so for us it wasn't even a 24 hour thing. She was 9lb 12...

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hairymelons · 27/10/2009 15:13

It never feels great at 2am, I remember whimpering in the wee hours a lot! Feeding lying down was a life saver as I could doze as he fed. This applied to the daytime too, especially if he wasn't napping well due to feeding lots.

Don't worry you won't be able to cope though- most people find the first few weeks really tough then it gradually gets easier, not the other way round.

However, if he does start feeding lots and you're struggling, have a few coping strategies in place, ie: do no housework whatsoever; have lots of lovely, easy to prepare food in; get your OH to bath baby/ take for walks etc. so you get the odd half hour to rest and, most importantly, come back here for a moan!

All will be fine, I'm sure

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Igglybuff · 27/10/2009 17:40

Thanks! It's funny, baby is being extra fussy today and has just made a sterling effort to drain my boobs dry. He better get this over with before DH goes back to work next week so I can be waited on hand and foot! I've been practicising for when it's just me looking after baby - managed a shower and breakfast without assistance but lord knows how I'll manage a full day!

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hairymelons · 27/10/2009 18:58

Well you will manage of course. I am completely disorganised and if I didn't get showered and dressed before DH went to work, I didn't get showered and dressed!
Some great advice from my mum was, when you're by yourself, only prepare meals which you can eat one handed. Seriously. And also, before you begin a feed always have a drink and a snack (and the remote I would add) to hand, even in the middle of the night cos you never know how long you're going to be there!
Your DH may be going back to work next week but don't worry, he can still give you a break when he gets home from work/ on his days off etc. In fact, you could write a nice list of jobs for him

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hairymelons · 27/10/2009 19:13

Oh and, apparently, there's no such thing as a growth spurt anyway!.
So no need to worry

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Igglybuff · 27/10/2009 21:27

I think DH knows he'll have plenty of jobs! Luckily for me he doesn't mind....
Will read that link to feel better.

Baby is now crying so better go feed him! And here's hoping for an hour of sleep for me...