"Growth Spurt"

Hi there all....

i have a 8 week old baby girl and just when i thought i had turned a corner....BOOM out of no where she has become incredibly unsettled during sleep time. she still is very content but has been waking up frantically crying only after 30 min of sleep time. i instantly put it down to wind but to no avail it doesnt appear to be that. soothing her off to sleep is not the problem as she goes off within 10 -20 min. but then she starts to wake and cry. when she is awake she isnt upset etc. i had no idea what was going on. untill my partner came across growth spurts and they the symptoms fit identically with our bub. wanting to be fed more, irritable, unsettled etc. what a releif to know that its down to this and not something that im doing wrong. its hard going and when you put your heart and sole into making sure your bub is safe, fed, cleaned, loved etc and then this happens its kinda sole destroying (well it is for me) im very hard on myself as it is. anyway is there anyone else out there who can share there views or help with any advice...it would really help me to know that im not alone.
Many thanks

Clare XX

Hi there all....

i have a 8 week old baby girl and just when i thought i had turned a corner....BOOM out of no where she has become incredibly unsettled during sleep time. she still is very content but has been waking up frantically crying only after 30 min of sleep time. i instantly put it down to wind but to no avail it doesnt appear to be that. soothing her off to sleep is not the problem as she goes off within 10 -20 min. but then she starts to wake and cry. when she is awake she isnt upset etc. i had no idea what was going on. untill my partner came across growth spurts and they the symptoms fit identically with our bub. wanting to be fed more, irritable, unsettled etc. what a releif to know that its down to this and not something that im doing wrong. its hard going and when you put your heart and sole into making sure your bub is safe, fed, cleaned, loved etc and then this happens its kinda sole destroying (well it is for me) im very hard on myself as it is. anyway is there anyone else out there who can share there views or help with any advice...it would really help me to know that im not alone.
Many thanks

Clare XX

Growth spurts .... They are a very frustrating time. I can't remember what age they all happen but it seems they all go thru them at the same ages (approx) All I remember is just when I thought I was all "jiggy" with what stage my baby was at, another growth spurt would come along and chaos would follow smile Take heart, they don't last forever and you get your happy little bubba back smile Just in time for another one ... doh.

Don't worry yourself too much, take some pressure off. All you can do is love and care for your baby like you already do. Extra cuddles never hurt, it must be hard for the little ones having so much growing to do.

Repeat after me - This too shall pass smile Hugs

p.s. You will 'know' if it is more serious, but if you are ever concerned a quick chat with your child health nurse (if she/he is as wonderful as mine) could help if you need some reassurance that it is just a growth spurt or if it could be something else worth checking. Good luck

They get easier! When my boy went through his 1st i was ready to pull my hair out! I thought "what am i doing wrong?" "i'm not meant to be a mum!" I believe he is now going through another and i know how to cope with it.

Thank you Aqua for shedding some light....it sure does ease it a little to know that others can relate. yes i had already booked into see the midwife/health practioner but apt not till in a few weeks. i have the gp on mondy so if it still contiues then i will mention it to her. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words of support Aqua. xxx

They get easier! When my boy went through his 1st i was ready to pull my hair out! I thought "what am i doing wrong?" "i'm not meant to be a mum!" I believe he is now going through another and i know how to cope with it.

thats the thing... i had no idea that this was happening at 3 weeks!! if only i had known instead of beating myself up over it. any tips on how you cope this time around??

Having some help with housework etc.. would be good. Try and take some naps too. The rough guidelines for growth spurts are that they happen at 2,4, 6 and 12 weeks and should last about 2-4 days. The first day or two baby will be increasing your milk supply (if breastfeeding) then after that you'll notice an increase in growth. my son had his at 2 and 3 weeks, didnt last long and he wasn't irritable at all. third one at 6 weeks was hell lol lasted a week and he was not happy at all. make sure you eat healthy, get plenty of rest and have some good support on hand. get someone to look after baby for an hour so you can go for a walk or just relax by yourself.

thats the thing... i had no idea that this was happening at 3 weeks!! if only i had known instead of beating myself up over it. any tips on how you cope this time around??

Biggest tip.....RELAX! The 1st day i was so stressed out and i know that he sensed that. Don't worry about anything else but you and your bubs (housework will be there tomorrow!). Lots of feeds and cuddles. My partner would get up with him of a morning (i would give the morning feed in bed) then let me have an extra hour or so sleep. Doesn't seem like long but i'm sure any mum knows what it's like to have just that bit extra! Also of an afternoon/evening he would take bub for a walk so i could have a shower and some much needed me time! As much as growth spurts suck, they are the only time my boy has been snuggly since he was born so in a way it was kind of nice but horrible all at the same time!