It may come as a surprise to many mothers when a baby nurses for a long period, only to want to nurse again twenty minutes later. It may also be difficult to understand why baby seems a little fussy or more awake than usual. But these are normal signs of a baby whose body is calling for a jump start in growth.
Even in the early months it is common to see signs that baby is ready to nurse more frequently. Many babies demonstrate their rooting reflex by searching for their fist or a blanket with their mouth. While this is seen every couple of hours when a baby is nursing on a more "normal" schedule, it can be seen just minutes after a mother has put her baby down after a long nursing session during a growth spurt. While looking at her child with amazement and confusion, the mother should realize that most growth spurts are short lived.
Some mothers wonder why a baby stops needing so much milk right around the time their supply has caught up. This shouldn't be a problem because while the mother may only notice the more plentiful supply after baby starts going longer and longer between feedings, the baby has been building the supply through the entire growth spurt. With each feeding, the mother's milk supply has grown. In fact, the mother may not have noticed the increased supply if the baby had not finished the growth spurt.
Just as a baby has somewhat gradually come into a growth spurt, the time in which baby comes out of one is gradual enough to let the milk supply adjust again. Engorgement can happen, but it isn't common. These growth spurts will happen throughout the nursing relationship, being more prevalent in the beginning six months.
Recognizing a growth spurt helps a mother to retain confidence in her nursing abilities. If a mother is not aware of these frequent nursing periods initiated by the baby's need for more milk, she may think her baby wants to nurse more because she is not producing enough milk. This can cause a mother to feel as if she is failing.
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