What Happens to a Baby During the Fifth Growth Crisis
 Category | Growth crises |
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Play as a way to explore
The fifth growth crisis often comes with a surge in interest in manipulation:
- Transferring toys from one hand to another
- Banging, throwing, watching where things fall
- Putting objects in a container and taking them out
- Observing what happens when something drops
This is how the baby learns action and reaction — and their own ability to influence.
More will and more fussiness
The baby starts to feel “I want to do it myself.” They may refuse food, turn away, or fuss when something doesn’t work.
This is not bad behavior — it’s part of learning control and impact.
How to support your baby
- Respond when the baby calls — it builds confidence
- Offer safe ways to “take charge”: toys that spin, open, or stack
- Don’t fear “tantrums” — calmly name feelings: “You’re upset because it didn’t work”
- Play peek-a-boo and “find the toy” — it supports object permanence
- Avoid disappearing silently — a quick goodbye is better than sneaking off
Frequently asked questions about the fifth growth spurt
When does the fifth growth spurt occur?
The fifth growth spurt usually occurs around 26 weeks of life, when the baby begins to understand relationships between objects and space. They start noticing concepts such as inside–outside, near–far, and disappear–reappear, while actively exploring objects through movement, transfer, and repeated observation of how things change in the environment around them.
Why does the baby cry when the mother leaves?
This is often due to separation anxiety that develops during this stage when the baby begins to understand that the mother is a separate person who can leave. Because of this, the baby seeks more closeness, cries more frequently, and needs constant reassurance of safety through physical and emotional presence of the caregiver.
How can you help the baby during the fifth growth spurt?
It helps to respond consistently to the baby's signals, maintain calm interaction, and play simple games like peek-a-boo and object-finding activities. Encouraging stacking, transferring, and placing objects into containers also supports the development of spatial understanding and early cause-and-effect reasoning during this developmental stage.
What new skills appear after the fifth growth spurt?
After the fifth growth spurt, the baby becomes more intentional with objects, transferring them between hands, placing them into containers, and taking them out again repeatedly. They also begin to understand the outcomes of their actions more clearly, develop early causal thinking, and show stronger personal preferences and willful behavior.
With care
Our articles are based on evidence-based medicine and reviewed by pediatricians. However, they do not replace a consultation with your doctor. Every child is unique — if you have any concerns, please consult a medical professional.
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Sleep, feeding, and milestones in one app
Sources
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- Child growth standards, WHO, https://www.who.int/tools/child-growth-standards/standards. Accessed 7 May 2026.
- 12 month developmental milestones, UK National Health Service, https://www.cambspborochildrenshealth.nhs.uk/child-development-and-growing-up/milestones/12-months/.
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- Toddler Developmental Milestones & Safety, Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22625-toddler-developmental-milestones--safety. Accessed 7 May 2026.
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