# Growth Spurts, and Shifting Feeds from Night to Day

> Growth spurt ages and cluster feeding, keeping night feeds dark and brief, and how and when night feeds can shift into the day.

Stage: baby - Topic: Feeding - Page: https://www.askcladle.com/guides/baby/growth-spurts-and-night-feeds

Grounded in: AAP HealthyChildren feeding guidance and common pediatric practice. Night-weaning is a decision to make with the pediatrician.

Reviewed: 2026-10

## TLDR

- Growth spurts often come around 1-3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months: 2-3 days of more feeding and fussing.
- Don't stretch, skip or water down newborn night feeds; keep them dark, quiet and brief.
- From about 3-4 months, with the pediatrician's OK, more daytime ounces or a dream feed can lengthen night stretches.

## Growth spurts

- Often around 7-10 days, 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. For 2-3 days a baby may feed
  far more often, cluster feed in the evening, and be fussier or sleep differently.
- Follow hunger cues: frequent breastfeeding builds supply; with bottles, offer a little more if
  still hungry. Lower the bar for these days.
- Worry if there are fewer wet diapers, or fussiness comes with fever, vomiting or poor feeding.

## In the newborn weeks

- Full, unhurried feeds every 2-3 hours by day (8-12 in 24 hours).
- Don't stretch, skip or water down night feeds; newborns need them for growth and blood sugar.
- Keep night feeds dark, quiet and brief, and day feeds bright and social. That builds the habit
  without cutting anything.

## Once back to birth weight and gaining well (often 2-6 weeks)

If the pediatrician agrees, parents can let the baby wake them at night instead of setting alarms.
Don't add ounces just to make a baby sleep.

## Around 3-4 months and later, with the pediatrician's OK

- Nudge ounces into the day: about 0.5-1 oz more in a few day bottles, or an extra late-afternoon
  feed. A dream feed around 10-11 p.m. can lengthen the first stretch.
- Some babies drop night feeds between 4 and 6 months; many still need one or two until 6-9 months.
- Ask before night weaning a baby who was early, small at birth, or slow to gain.