5 Month Old BOY Growth Spurts

Updated on June 17, 2012
M.W. asks from Elkridge, MD
5 answers

I have a 2 1/2 year old girl, so I definitely remember the growth spurts when she was a little baby (even some now!) But I remember hers at more significant stages, like many books suggest-- the 3 and 6 weeks, then 3 months, 6 months, 9 months ...

With my son, who is now 5/12 months. I feel like he's ALWAYS on a growth spurt! Is this normal? Is it a boy thing or just an "every child is different" thing? Last night he went every 1 1/2 hours! I just want to make sure I'm not feeding him unecessarily and he's not fussing because of something else? but he seems to be satisfied when I nurse him, and he's been changed and burped so he's not gassy or wet/poopy-- don't know what else to blame it on EXCEPT a growth spurt!

**He is getting solids or cereal at least twice a day as well--sometimes three times a day.

Thanks
M.

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M.S.

answers from Portland on

My babies ate every 1.5 to 2 hours round the clock until they were about 7 months. (We had acid reflux though, so that was a little different). But, I do remember my son, now 13 months grew a whole size about 5-6 months in a week or two, and then he did it again about a month later. Then he did it again. I think each baby is different and unique, but I wouldn't put a growth spurt past him. I bet that could be what is going on. I hope it slows down for you soon so that he can get some sleep. One thing I found that helps is to fill them up about 1.5 hours before bedtime on solid foods, and then feed them milk right before bed. It seems to last a little longer. GL!

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M.H.

answers from Washington DC on

Is he teething? My DD definitely went through the growth spurts and wanting to nurse frequently but she also wanted to nurse all night long when she was teething. She started off and on around 4 months. Her first tooth popped at 6 months but it wasn't evident that she was teething until right before the tooth erupted.

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G.B.

answers from Boise on

I would look at this in regard to my own body, what would keep me satisfied longer, a cup of milk or a cup of rice? Well funny thing about rice, after I eat it, about 20 minutes later I am hungrier!
That is because rice will raise blood sugar faster than any other food.
All high grain diets tend to raise blood sugar. High blood sugar does cause hunger.
If it were me , i would reduce the grains, and UP the milk intake.Your milk probably has more protien than rice cereal, and it is protien that has the staying power. Then in another month or two, start very slowly on protien like some ground meat. 20 years ago they were pretty adamant about not starting solids until after the 6th month.

Make sure you are eating plenty of protien yourself and not a high grain diet.

Gail
12 yr medical researcher

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M.S.

answers from Washington DC on

I wonder if its really groth spurts or if he just has a night time feeding habbit. If they are used to getting fed in the night they will continue to wake during the night to be fed.... even if they dont necessarily need it. At 5.5 months he should NOT be waking every 1.5 hours for feeding, even if he is having a growth spurt. I would try some sleep training and see if that helps.

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S.G.

answers from Rapid City on

Is he only nursing or is he getting cereal and baby food also? It could be that he needs more solids at this age. Is he changing clothes sizes really fast? That is how you know it is growth spurts. My oldest son you noticed his growing only when his pants seemed short, my youngest son would wake up in the morning two inches taller then when he went to bed.

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