The authors of The Wonder Weeks, van de Rijt and Plooij, contend that there are leaps in development in infancy . Originally they worked with jane Goodall on chimpanzees and their data when analysed showed that there were periods of reression where the infant tended to cling more to the mother, a finding which replicated findings from other species. They then decided to study infants in their natural environments, their homes, and found the same thing: periods of regression.
They state that these periods of regression, where the infant is clingier and feeds more frequently, coincide with mental leaps in development. the first one they have quantified at bout 4 or 5 weeks (but not a fixed time) as a growing awareness of sensations.
The second they have quantified at around week 8 as a growing awareness of patterns, and so on. They have identified ten leaps in all.

They contend that these leaps in development can be a little overwhelming for the infant, which is why they feed oftener.

So there may be appetite spurts, which may or may not result in growth spurts.

It is a theory based on observation, but one that a lot of mothers find reassuring. Although I did hear one mother state caustically: "It's a week of crying. What's wonderful about that?"!

We know what she meant, don't we?

Eithne Murray

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