TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hungry and sleepy are commonly the reason for a baby to cry. However, during the baby’s growth dubbed growth spurts, being fussy and crying are normal for the baby because he/she felt something irritating his/her body.

Dr. Joshua May, a pediatric endocrinologist at the Medical Center of Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles, the United States, said it is normal if babies are crying because of a rapid growth in their body. "I think it stands to reason that if there's major growth going, that tendons and muscles are being stretched in the body and that might be associated with some pain," said Dr. May.

The baby is growing rapidly after passing the growth spurt, physics and ability. Other than gaining more weight and height, see if the baby has the new ability such as mumbling, laughing, responding to your call, or clapping.

That because the brain also grows physically along with the growth in the body. At that time, the skull parts are united thus a baby's fontanelle, or "soft spot," is closed or nearly closed by age one.

Clare Bush, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at Columbia University Medical Center, US, said the first growth spurt usually occurs on the age of 7-10 days. "The babies have learned to breastfeed, moms have learned to breastfeed. Things are happening a little more smoothly," she said.

A dramatic condition such as being fussy and crying is normal for a baby during the growth spurt. There are also two signs the baby experiences the phenomenon.

1. Constantly hungry

The baby suddenly becomes constantly hungry. The breastfeeding session will be more constant in a short period considering the metabolism process is quick and that the burned calories affect the growth by building reserves of fat cells or building muscle.

2. Sleeping pattern changes

If the baby usually sleeps for a long period, the time will be shortened, or vice versa because sleep plays a vital role in producing growth hormones.

AURA