What is cluster feeding?
Cluster feeding is when baby will want to feed almost continuously from the breast for several hours. They may fall asleep at the breast but if you try to remove them, they will wake and cry or cue to go back on.
Babies will most often do this in the evening or later in the night. However there can be a huge range in cluster lengths and times due to every baby’s uniqueness.
First of all, it’s so important to remember that cluster feeding is a very normal newborn behaviour.
We know that this can be very frustrating at times, particularly in our fast paced lives, but remembering that it is normal and allowing ourselves to follow our baby’s cues is the first step in managing it.
Cluster feeding often first happens the night before your milk comes in. This is generally around the second night of baby’s life. When it happens, remind yourself that this is baby’s way of ensuring you develop a good supply of milk. The frequent stimulation and removal of colostrum both help your milk to come in.
After this, it’s generally around 2 weeks of age that baby begins to cluster feed daily and often multiple times a day. They will generally continue to do this until at least three months of age. Having said this, there is a huge variation amongst babies as they are all so unique.
When you find yourself in a cluster that seems to be dragging on forever, remind yourself;
- I am doing right by my baby and responding to their feeding cues.
- The frequent feeding is really good for my milk supply
- My baby needs more from me than just nutrition from milk and by continuing to offer the breast, I am meeting these needs.
- Having baby close and attached to me helps calm their nervous system. I am helping them feel safe and secure.
If you are worried that your breasts feel lighter in the afternoons and evening (when baby is more likely to cluster feed), remember that the breasts are never empty and baby will always be able to get more milk.
There are other practical things that you can do to help manage cluster feeding;
Being prepared can be very helpful. Start to recognise the times that your baby feeds frequently and plan around it.
First of all, get comfy! You could be baby trapped for a couple of hours. Your couch will become your best friend.
Make sure you have access to easy snacks and lots of water, make sure they’re within reach!
Meals that you can eat with one hand are very helpful as clusters often happen around dinner time. It’s like baby knows it’s feeding time!
Ask your friends or family to come over and help during the times baby most often cluster feeds. This way you can focus on baby and not try and get the chores done too.
If baby goes down for a nap in the afternoon, before the cluster begins, forget the housework and have a rest yourself. This way you will have more energy for later.
On a final note, if you are feeling touched out and need to take a break, that is perfectly ok. Ask your partner to take baby while you go for a walk or a rest. Looking after yourself is so important.
Written by Heidi Thomson – Lactation Consultant