Baby development spurts are short periods, usually lasting two to seven days, when a baby rapidly puts on weight and height. These incidents aren’t directly associated to the advancement of a baby’s teeth, however if your child has a development spurt while teething at the same time, you’re most likely to have a picky baby on your hands.
Ages for Baby Growth Spurts
A growth spurt can happen at any age, but it most frequently happens when a baby is 2 to 3 weeks old, around six weeks old and again around three months old, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). During a development spurt, it’s regular for babies to want to momentarily nurse all the time. If you are breastfeeding, aim to avoid serving any other liquids or foods, inning accordance with the AAP, which suggests breastfeeding as the only food your baby requires for about the first 6 months.
Baby growth spurts also typically take place at six and nine months of age, when you can start feeding your baby other liquids and foods. In addition to cravings, other typical signs of a growth spurt in your baby include fussiness and night waking.
Growth Spurt or Baby Teeth?
Fussiness and sleeplessness prevail signs of teething, but unlike typical growth spurts, babies often lose their cravings during this stage of growth, according to the American Dental Association (ADA) Mouth Healthy site. Kids typically develop their first teeth between the age of four and seven months, with the two bottom middle teeth (main incisors) typically appearing in between six and 10 months. The upper central incisors generally appear between eight and 12 months.
Between the ages of nine and 16 months, according to the ADA, the teeth to the right and left of the center incisors (likewise known as lateral incisors) establish, normally starting with the leading teeth. The first molars normally appear in between 13 and 19 months, with the teeth in between the lateral incisors and first molar (called canines or cuspids) can be found in between 16 and 23 months. The last teeth to come in are the lower and upper 2nd molars, in between 23 and 33 months.
Calming a Fussy Baby
Based on the common times for growth spurts and teething, it’s possible for a baby in between six and 12 months to go through both concurrently. One method to help a teething baby is providing something firm to chew on, such as a tidy teething ring. But relaxing a fussy baby having this experience can be a difficulty, specifically if he or she is weathering a growth spurt at the same time.
For fussiness, attempt sidetracking the baby with play. Babies are typically relieved by being kept in motion, such as in a rocking chair, a baby swing and even a car or stroller. Background sound, such as a fan, white noise device or music relieves some children also. For more recommendations, talk with other parents who have actually handled development spurts and teething. Even if you’re feeling frazzled, present a calm disposition to your baby, and keep in mind that this circumstance is temporary.
Caring for Baby Teeth
Both the ADA and AAP advise that you start to clean your baby’s teeth as soon as they appear. Brush gently with simply a smear of fluoride toothpaste – an amount the size of a grain of rice– until your child reaches the age of three.