Remember when your child was a baby and you swore they grew up overnight? Or that summer when your child suddenly looked more like a toddler than a baby?
You don’t imagine: growth is rarely steady and usually happens suddenly. These growth spurts are most evident in the first year of life and around puberty, both times when a tremendous amount of growth occurs in a short period of time.
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Growth spurts can also occur at other times, although they are usually less noticeable. Here’s what you need to know.
Key Takeaways
- A growth spurt is a short period of time in which your child will both gain weight and grow.
- Growth spurts are most typical in your child’s first year and around puberty, although they also happen at other times.
- Signs that your child is going through a growth spurt include increased appetite, fatigue, and difficulty regulating emotions.
- In general, children grow about two and a half inches per year from age 2 until adolescence.
- A small variation in how much your child grows and when is completely normal. But if you have any concerns, bring them up at your child’s next check-up.
What is a growth spurt?
A growth spurt is a short period of rapid growth in which your child will grow taller and gain weight. A growth spurt is a normal part of child development and will happen throughout your child’s life until they reach physical maturity – usually between 16 and 20 for girls and 17 and 20 for boys.
Although all children experience growth spurts, not all will grow in exactly the same way or reach new physical milestones at the same time. However, there are some general guidelines when it comes to growth.
Growth spurts get old
The biggest growth spurt happens when your child is a baby – many babies triple their birth weight by their first birthday!
Children usually reach half their adult height by age 2.
“All my kids have gone through patterns where they’d go a little wild, then have a crazy growth spurt and thin out, then repeat,” he says. BabyCenter Community Member LaurenH527.
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The second most significant growth spurt occurs during puberty – between ages 8 and 13 for girls and 9 and 14 for boys. But, of course, you can still expect a lot of growth and development between preschool and puberty.
In early childhood, physical growth is slow and steady, although you may still see small periods when your child seems to spring up overnight. In general, you can expect your child to grow about two and a half inches a year from age two until adolescence.
How long do growth spurts last?
It varies, but generally you can expect the growth spurt to last anywhere from two to seven days. In babies, growth spurts are usually shorter and last up to about three days. In adolescents, accelerated growth lasts about a week.
Typically, you won’t notice your child’s growth spurt until it already happens. For example, your child pulls on the same pants they wore last week, only they suddenly rise a few inches above the ankle. Or they complain that the boots they wore to training just a few days ago are now pinching their feet.
All of my kids have gone through patterns where they would go a little wild and then have a crazy run and thin out and then do it again.
– BabyCenter Community Member LaurenH527
Signs of rapid growth
As your child goes through the physical changes of a growth spurt, you may also notice changes in his mood, sleep and appetite.
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Signs of a growth spurt in toddlers and children include:
- Increased hunger
- Fatigue
- Difficulty in regulating emotions
If you think your child is in the middle of a growth spurt, make sure he gets plenty of nutritious snacks and meals, as well as plenty of rest. And be prepared to give them a little extra TLC. Worry and emotional outbursts are not uncommon during a growth spurt, so extra pampering and patience may be in order.
“Kids have growth spurts where they eat a lot for a few weeks, then suddenly they’ll refuse even their favorite foods,” he says. BabyCenter Community member Zuvi123. “Don’t worry, but don’t give up – keep offering healthy snacks.”
Wondering if “growing pains” are part of growth spurts? It turns out that these dull aches in the legs, especially around the calves, knees and front of the thighs are probably misnamed. The pain is real, but no medical evidence links it to growing muscles or bones. Instead, some experts attribute this pain to increased physical activity. (Growing pains often occur after a particularly active day.)
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Growing pains usually occur at night and are common in the primary years, starting around age 3 and peaking around age 8 to 12 (shortly before the first changes of puberty). This pain usually goes away with rest.
The pain may wake your child up in the middle of the night. Use warm compresses, massage and gentle stretching to aid in healing. You may also be able to help ease the pain by encouraging your child to try other sports or types of play that will use different muscles.
When to talk to a doctor
Variations in height and weight are completely normal, so if your child is a little taller or smaller than his peers, there’s probably nothing to worry about. It’s also normal for a child to put on a few pounds but not gain any height—or vice versa—during a growth spurt.
If you’re concerned that your child isn’t growing at a healthy pace, talk to their pediatrician at your child’s next checkup. The doctor will use a growth chart to compare your child’s height and weight with the average. The doctor will also consider family history – for example, a child with short parents is likely to be shorter.
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