Cluster feeding is when a baby eats frequently, usually every 30 minutes to an hour, over a period of a few hours. It’s common in newborn, breastfeeding babies. Cluster feeding often happens in the first days after birth and again during baby growth spurts. Your baby may cluster feed more in the evening to fill up before bed, or to catch up if they didn’t eat enough at a previous feeding. While it can be exhausting, cluster feeding can help your baby put on weight and boost your milk supply.
IN THIS ARTICLE
- What is cluster feeding?
- How long does cluster feeding last?
- Common cluster feeding ages
- Why is my newborn cluster feeding?
- How to cope with cluster feeding
- How to stop cluster feeding
What is cluster feeding?
Cluster feeding is when a baby eats very frequently – often every 30 minutes to an hour – usually over a period of a few hours. In breastfed babies, cluster feeding is common and helps to increase Mom’s milk supply. Infants who are formula-fed sometimes also cluster feed.
Most cluster feeding happens in the first three to four months of life, when babies grow quickly. While newborns typically nurse every two to three hours, when cluster feeding they’ll want to eat even more often. This can leave you feeling like you’re nursing your baby almost constantly.
Babies may be cluster feeding if they:
- Eat more frequently than usual, usually every 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Tend to eat more often in the evening
- Are fussier than usual, which can be a sign of a growth spurt
- Settle down quickly after eating (if your baby is still fussing or crying after a feeding, there might be something else going on)
It can be difficult to tell whether your baby is cluster feeding or not. Some babies are “snackers” – they naturally nurse for shorter periods of time, more frequently during the day.
Even if your newborn ate recently, follow their hunger cues and feed on demand. That means feeding your baby whenever they give you hunger cues such as:
- Moving their mouth; making sucking sounds or motions
- Smacking or licking their lips
- Bringing their hands to their mouth
- Sucking on their fingers or fists
- Clenching their fists
- Rooting. Rooting is a newborn reflex – babies turn their head toward anything that touches their face and open their mouth, looking for a nipple.
How long does cluster feeding last?
Usually, cluster feeding lasts for a few days. How long your baby will cluster feed depends on the cause, though. You may find that your baby cluster feeds nonstop in the first few days of life as your milk comes in. Growth spurts are another common cause of cluster feeding, and tend to last anywhere from two to three days up to one week.
Common cluster feeding ages
Cluster feeding can happen at any time, but it’s often a newborn thing. It’s most common in the first few days after birth and during baby growth spurts, which tend to happen when your little one is:
- 2 to 3 weeks old
- 6 weeks old
- 3 months old
- 6 months old
Why is my newborn cluster feeding?
Babies cluster feed for a number of reasons. Your newborn may be:
- establishing your milk supply after birth
- going through a growth spurt
- filling up before a longer stretch of sleep in the evening
- making up for not eating well at the previous feeding
Newborns and older babies may cluster feed when they’re teething or sick, since the act of nursing plus the hormones and antibodies in breast milk can make babies feel better.
In most cases, cluster feeding is not a sign that your baby isn’t getting enough to eat due to a low milk supply.
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If you’re concerned your milk supply is dwindling, or that your baby isn’t getting enough breast milk, talk to your baby’s doctor and a lactation consultant.
Your provider will be watching your newborn’s weight closely at all doctor visits during the first year to make sure your baby is growing well. But call the doctor if you notice these signs:
- More than normal weight loss in a newborn. Babies lose up to 10 percent of their birth weight during the first 5 days of life. By 2 weeks, they should be back up to their birth weight.
- Fewer than five to six wet diapers in a 24-hour period once your baby is 5 days old.
How to cope with cluster feeding
Cluster feeding is one of the hardest parts of breastfeeding, especially when you’re already exhausted from giving birth or not sleeping enough at night. It can seem like just when you need it most, your baby won’t let you rest!
To cope with cluster feeding:
- Remind yourself that cluster feeding is a normal and healthy part of your baby’s development. All those extra feedings help your baby to get the nutrition they need to grow – and increase your milk supply to keep up with their needs.
- Cluster feedings in the evening can mean that your baby is filling up before attempting to go longer without a feeding at night. That means there’s hope (and more sleep!) in sight.
- Feed yourself well: Eat a healthy breastfeeding diet and get enough calories. Most breastfeeding moms need an extra 450 to 500 calories every day.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and support your milk supply. Drink more when you’re thirsty or if your urine appears dark yellow, which can mean you’re dehydrated.
- Take breaks when you can. When your baby isn’t nursing, ask your partner, a friend, or a loved one to watch them so you can nap or get some fresh air and clear your head.
How to stop cluster feeding
While there’s no way to stop cluster feeding (especially since it can be beneficial for you and your baby), you can take steps to stretch out the time between feeding sessions. The key is make sure your baby gets enough milk at each feeding.
First, make sure your baby has a good latch. While it might seem natural, latching can be challenging for you and your baby – especially when you’re new to nursing. A good latch will help your newborn get enough milk. A poor latch, on the other hand, can tire out your baby so they’re more likely to fall asleep at the breast before they’re full.
If you’re struggling with cluster feeding, especially if your nipples are sore or cracked, talk to your healthcare provider or a lactation consultant to ensure your baby is latching properly.
Once you’re sure your baby is latching well, let your baby nurse until they’re sleepy and are no longer swallowing. (This is usually no longer than 15 minutes per side.) The longer the nursing session, the higher the filling fat content of your milk.
Another issue that might get in the way of your baby’s eating is falling asleep at the breast early in a feeding. Sleeping a lot can be a sign that a newborn is conserving energy because they’re not getting enough to eat.
Whether they’re bottle-feeding or breastfeeding, wake your baby to eat if they sleep longer than four hours at a stretch during the first two weeks of life. Breastfed and formula-fed newborns need to eat eight to 12 times per day.
To ensure your sleepy breastfeeding baby gets enough to eat:
- Use breast compression to get your milk flowing faster.
- Switch sides frequently, especially if your baby stops actively swallowing. You may need to do this several times during each nursing session.
- Tickle your baby’s legs and feet while they’re nursing, and consider stripping them down to their diaper before you start breastfeeding.
- Pump your milk after you breastfeed. Pumping helps boost your milk supply, plus you can offer a bottle of expressed milk later. (Some experts recommend waiting until breastfeeding is well-established – around 3 weeks or so – before giving a bottle, if possible.)
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