I've already written a little about cluster feeding in my posts about nursing a newborn baby and when breastfeeding gets easier.
I want to expand on those and give some newborn cluster feeding tips.
Many moms want to know how long cluster feeding lasts and when cluster feeding stops.
Please keep reading for my experiences and tips after breastfeeding a newborn three times!
What is cluster feeding? Cluster feeding is many feedings close together.
Some babies will cluster feed peacefully, but some may pull on and off the breast, cry and fuss between feedings, and generally seem unhappy.
While they are nursing, it may seem like your baby is pulling on and off the breast because they are not getting enough milk, but they could be doing this to increase your supply during a growth spurt.
Sometimes, they are fussy; other times, they nurse nonstop, not pulling off.
Sometimes, they will fall asleep between the fussing and after nursing nonstop for hours, and when you think you can unlatch and move, oh no, they wake up and fuss to breastfeed some more.
Your baby may want to feed several times in a short period, or this cycle can continue for a few hours.
It can happen daily during the first several weeks of a newborn's life or growth spurts.
For many babies, the cluster feeding stage starts early, usually in the first two weeks of life, and can go on until 3-4 months old. A lot of times, cluster feeding begins as early as day two.
It sounds like a long time, but it does eventually end.
Cluster feeding coincides with a fussy time of day.
Cluster feeding can occur at any time, but for newborns, it is usually in the evening and when your baby is fussy.
It seems expected that it starts in the early evening when your baby will begin to get fussy and want to cluster feed on and off for hours.
It may continue until 9 or 10 PM or even later, and your baby may have a more extended sleep period.
It was always in the evening that my babies wanted to cluster feed. It usually would start anywhere from 5 PM or 6 PM and go until 9 or 10 PM.
After that, my baby would have a little longer sleep.
Cluster feeding tips
Remember, it is most likely not your milk! Many women wonder if their baby is getting enough milk due to the fussiness and seemingly endless need to nurse.
All this nursing will automatically increase your supply as it is needed. Although supplementing can be tempting, it can cause your milk supply to go down since breastfeeding is all about supply and demand.
When I was nursing my first baby, the evening fussiness and cluster feeding demands caught me off guard.
It's easy to get worn down and wonder if you are doing something wrong, why your baby is so hungry, and if it would be easier to offer a supplement.
People who don't understand cluster feeding (in-laws, partners, parents) may encourage you to supplement. They mean well, but try not to doubt yourself.
The best thing you can do is hang in there. It is temporary, and your baby gets what they need from you.
Try to accept it and plan for it as part of your day. My first instinct with my first baby was to fight the cluster feeding. I wanted to give her to my husband and have a little break.
It was easy to get frustrated as soon as I tried to move away for a few minutes and get anything accomplished.
Trying to go out or have outings during this time of day was not happening either. Once I accepted this new temporary schedule and worked with it, I was a lot less stressed.
More cluster feeding tips for survival
Find something great to watch on TV, binge-watch a series on Netflix, or watch movies.
Use this time to relax and chill out. Find a comfortable spot. Get a nursing pillow.
Once I thought of cluster feeding as a part of my day, I set myself up on the couch with my baby each evening.
My husband brought me dinner, we watched tons of stuff, and I could feed my baby and keep her calm while enjoying myself.
And going along with that one above, utilize your partner. Have them bring you dinner, drinks, and whatever you need. I looked at it kind of like an extension of pregnancy. I could use the help, and he was happy to do it.
Try wearing your baby if you cannot stay still and need to move around or tend to other children. Get a sling, wrap, or baby carrier, and wear your baby around the house.
Especially if you have other children and cannot sit on the couch all evening, this is also helpful when your baby hates to be still, and you need to keep moving.
Once I had my second baby, I also had a toddler to care for, so this worked for me. I spent the early part of our evening with him in a wrap or sling so I could feed my toddler and take care of her.
Then, once she was in bed, I commenced my cluster feeding on the couch.
If you must work at home or sit at a computer, use a nursing pillow and cluster feed simultaneously.
Once I returned to work after my first baby, I needed to occasionally work evening shifts (at home). I worried about how I would get through cluster feeding and working simultaneously.
I had read a tip to use a regular pillow on your lap and put a nursing pillow on top of it, raising your baby to a better height so you can have your arms free to type.
Get a great book. If you are spending a few hours sitting each evening, having something great to read helps. I got through several books while nursing my son in the early days.
When your baby finally passes out for good, get some sleep!
How long does cluster feeding last, and when does cluster feeding stop?
All of my babies cluster-fed, and even though I have three babies, I wondered, with every single one of them, when does cluster feeding stop?
Once I had my second and third babies, I did try to understand and embrace this constant feeding as a temporary time in my baby's life.
But it was still wearing, and I wondered if it was normal. Each baby is different, and each cluster feeding experience has been tiring to me.
