Leaps and Bounds

 I’ve been reading this book called “The Wonder Weeks Milestone Guide: Your Baby’s Development, Sleep, and Crying Explained” by Xaviera Plas and Frans Plooij, Ph.D. It’s such an interesting read!

The first thing you learn about is something called “leaps.” I’d like to share with you my understanding of leaps.

A leap is a sudden change in your baby’s mental development, it signifies progress and learning. With each leap your child’s brain changes significantly, their cognitive ability expands, and he or she learns a lot of new things. Each leap also changes how your baby can perceive the world, the same things are still there, but it takes a leap for them to actually see it. Reminds me of that Sherlock Holmes quote, “You look at things but you don’t actually see them.” 

A normal, healthy baby will have 10 leaps in the first 2 years of their life. Each leap happens at basically the same time for each child. Leaps are counted by weeks and start at the estimated due date. If your baby is born on or very near the due date you’d just follow the weeks suggested. But my baby was born 13 days after her due date so I add 2 weeks to her age to know when the leaps are. Everest has currently gone through 2 leaps and will be entering another one next week.

The 10 leaps happen at 

5 weeks, known as the sensations leap

8-9 weeks, the patterns leap

12 weeks, the smooth transitions leap

15-19 weeks, called the events leap

23-26 weeks, relationships leap

34-37 weeks, categories leap

42-46 weeks, the sequences leap

51-54 weeks, the programs leap

60-64 weeks, called the principles leap

71-75 weeks, the systems leap

Your baby can act differently during a leap. Everest has needed more comfort feedings and snuggles. Some babies may get colicky, some may not sleep as well. Babies tend to get more clingy, whiny, and moody during a leap. Some leaps can be more challenging than others for your baby, their behavior may be more extreme. This can be for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to: not feeling well, extra interest in what they can perceive now, or they woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Some adults handle change better than others, the same goes for children. Don’t get too upset if your baby takes a leap harder than another baby you know. How your baby handles a leap can be an insight into their personality. 

Babies need extra help during a leap. Extra patience and attention are needed. While you can’t make a leap any more comfortable or come and go faster you can support your baby’s development. Help your baby get lots of sleep and is well fed. Comfort your baby quickly. Try exposing your baby to things that will use the new brain power. By doing so you allow them to quickly discover and absorb their new abilities. Watch to see if baby is overwhelmed and lessen stimulation if they are. 

Physical changes can happen during leaps, too. Baby’s head often grows because their brain is also gaining mass. Babies do not necessarily teeth or get taller during a leap, those processes are unique to each child. After a leap babies are more susceptible to getting sick. They have had some extra stress, hasn’t slept well, might eat less, and doesn’t feel well. These are ingredients to getting sick. Be a little extra cautious with your baby.

In the end, as difficult and demanding as leaps can be, they are so important in mental and physical development for your child. A little extra love and patience goes a long way. Good luck with your leaps!