Helping Kids Through a Growth Spurt Naturally | Earthley Wellness

Every kid has those seasons where they seem… off. One week they’re running circles around you, and the next they’re melting into the couch, eating everything in sight, and waking up with legs that feel “weird.” As a parent, it can be confusing, especially when nothing obvious is wrong but everything feels different.

Those are the moments many parents eventually realize:

“Oh. This is a growth spurt.”

And here’s the comforting truth:

Growth spurts are normal. They’re messy, sometimes exhausting (for everyone), but they’re also a sign that your child’s body is doing exactly what it’s designed to do. And when we understand what’s actually happening behind the scenes, it becomes a lot easier to support our kids through these seasons with patience, nourishment, and a calm presence.

Before we dive into the signs, let’s talk about what a growth spurt really is… because it’s so much more than “getting taller overnight.”

What Is a Growth Spurt?

Growth spurts are periods where kids grow quickly in a short amount of time. It may look like new pants getting too short immediately after you cut the tags off, or shoes that suddenly don’t fit. But inside the body, it’s a coordinated symphony of changes.

Bones Are Getting Longer

Kids’ bones grow at special areas called growth plates. During a spurt, these plates are more active… stretching, lengthening, and expanding. This can create that familiar “tightness” kids describe in their legs.

Muscles Are Stretching Out

Bones lengthen first, and muscles have to catch up. That lag can make kids feel sore or wiggly, especially at night when growth hormone is released.

The Nervous System is Recalibrating

As their bodies change rapidly, your child’s nervous system works overtime to adjust. This can show up as clinginess, emotional sensitivity, or just seeming “off.” It’s not misbehavior, it’s biology.

Why It Makes Kids Feel Off

When all these systems are working at once, kids may feel:

-More tired

-Hungrier

-Less coordinated

-Extra emotional

-Sensitive to routine changes

And that brings us to the part parents notice first…

Common Signs of a Growth Spurt

You don’t have to catch every sign, but here are some of the big ones many families recognize:

• Hunger!!

This is usually the first clue. Suddenly your child is asking for seconds… and then another snack… and then another snack. Their bodies are demanding fuel for rapid building.

• Tired or Sleeping More

More growth means more energy output. Kids may nap more, go to bed earlier, or wake up groggy.

• Clingy or Emotionally Sensitive

If your child is extra snuggly or cries over small frustrations, it may simply be their nervous system adjusting.

• Aches or Leg Cramps

Especially at night. Muscles stretch, bones lengthen, and discomfort happens.

• Rapid Shoe-Size Changes

Shoes may suddenly feel tight, sometimes even before clothes do.

• General “Off-ness”

Parents often say, “I don’t know, something is just different.”

These cues help us respond, not panic - and that’s where the real support begins.

Core Supports During a Growth Spurt

During these seasons, kids aren’t just craving more food or sleep, they truly need more.

Here are the most helpful supports you can offer (simple, realistic, and rooted in everyday nourishment).

1. More Nutrients

Growing bodies require extra building blocks. Real, whole foods make the biggest difference, and this is a perfect time to lean into mineral-rich and protein-rich meals.

A Quick Note on Raw Milk:

Many families notice that their children handle growth spurts better when raw milk is part of the diet. Raw milk naturally contains enzymes, bioavailable minerals, and fat-soluble vitamins that support bone and tissue building. Pasteurization can reduce these natural nutrients, which is why many parents prefer raw when they have access to a trusted local source.

A glass of raw milk with meals can be an easy way to get calcium, healthy fats, and protein into little bodies that are working hard.

More Calories (But From the Right Places)

Kids truly burn through more energy during a spurt. Instead of endless snacks, focus on:

Eggs
Beef, chicken, or salmon
Cheese
Avocado
Nut butter
Sourdough with butter
Smoothies with yogurt or raw milk

Signs They Need More Food

You may notice:

Low or inconsistent energy
Moodiness or crankiness
Constant hunger
Trouble focusing

This is the body’s way of asking for fuel.

Earthley’s Nourish Me Naturally is a great way to easily add in essential vitamins and minerals and it tastes great!

2. More Rest + Sleep

Growth hormone is released primarily during deep sleep. Kids who are growing need:

Earlier bedtimes
Longer nighttime sleep
Calm, predictable evening routines
More rest during the day

If your child wants to sleep in, let them. Their bodies are doing important work.

Create a calming bedtime rhythm: warm bath, dim lights, cozy PJs, maybe some calming music or a story.

3. Support for Sore Muscles

Aches and tightness come with the territory. Try:

• Gentle Stretching (Especially Before Bed)

Simple leg stretches or slow movements can ease the tightness.

• Warm Baths

Warm water relaxes muscles and helps kids settle before sleep.

You can add Earthley’s Herbal Soothing Bath for extra comfort.

• Massage

Just five minutes of rubbing their calves or thighs can be grounding and soothing.

• Magnesium Lotion

Magnesium helps muscles relax and may ease nighttime tightness.

Earthley’s Magnesium Lotion is a kid favorite.

• Muscle Relief

For extra support, our Magic Muscle Ease can be used to soothe tired muscles.

• Warm Compress

A warm washcloth on tight areas can offer quick relief.

4. Hydration

Hydration matters even more during rapid growth.

Why It Helps:

Muscles rely on electrolytes to fire correctly. Bones rely on minerals. Organs rely on fluids.

Dehydration can make aches feel worse, and make little bodies more tired.

Use Electrolytes When Needed

Electrolytes help maintain mineral balance… especially if your child is extra active or extra cranky. Earthley’s electrolytes are made without artificial dyes or flavors, which makes them gentle and kid-friendly.

Avoid Too Much Sugar. Sugar can throw off mineral balance, making muscles feel tighter and energy crash faster.

5. Emotional Stability + Nervous-System Support

This may be the most overlooked piece of a growth spurt. Their nervous system is stretching and upgrading right along with their body.

Ways to support:

Be present and reassuring
Keep routines predictable
Offer extra cuddles
Reduce overstimulation when possible
Keep transitions gentle
Little bodies and brains are working hard… they need connection just as much as calories.

Herbs That May Support Kids During Growth Spurts

Herbs aren’t magic pills- they’re gentle, nutritional, grounding plants that help fill nutrient gaps and support calm. Here are a few kid-friendly herbs that can be helpful during seasons of rapid growth.

Many of these are herbs we commonly use in our formulas because they’re safe, nourishing, and time-tested.

1. Nettle

We love nettle because it’s one of those deeply nourishing greens that offers steady, mineral-rich support. Growing bodies use so much energy and nutrition, and nettle is a simple, gentle way many families choose to bring in more of those essentials.

Earthley products that feature nettle: Nourish Me Naturally, Energy Plus

2. Oatstraw

Oatstraw is one of our favorites for those phases when kids seem extra sensitive, emotional, or a little wobbly as their nervous systems adjust. Many families appreciate how calming and steadying oatstraw can feel during big seasons of change.

3. Dandelion Leaf

Dandelion leaf is another mineral-rich herb we reach for when kids are eating more, sleeping harder, and burning through nutrients quickly. It offers gentle support that pairs beautifully with other nutritive herbs.

Earthley products with dandelion leaf: Nourish Me Naturally and Nourish Her Naturally

4. Ginger

Ginger brings warmth and comfort, something many families find helpful when kids mention those “weird” growing sensations or when their digestion feels a little off during appetite surges.

Earthley products that include ginger: Ginger capsules, Spice tea, Super Foods Powder and Mama’s Tummy Relief.

Conclusion

Growth spurts can feel chaotic, for kids and parents, but they’re also a beautiful reminder that our children are constantly unfolding, changing, and becoming who they’re meant to be. When we understand what their bodies are doing, we can support them with more confidence, more patience, and more closeness.

Nourishing food, more rest, gentle herbs, emotional support, hydration, and simple routines make these seasons smoother for everyone. And the best part?

You don’t have to micromanage any of it. Kids were made to grow, we’re just here to support the journey.