Just welcomed your little one? Here’s what you need to know about Cluster Feeding: What Is It and How to Cope (Without Losing Your Mind).
There are basically two things a newborn knows how to do, eat and sleep. So here you have a newborn who has to be fed every few hours. You are feeding and feeding and it seems as if this little one can’t get enough.
That can be stressful and tiring, but what can you do? Your baby has to eat.
I had never heard of cluster feeding until I went to visit my Friend, Sarah. She just gave birth and her joy knew no bounds when she called me over the phone to inform me.
I promised to visit as soon as possible. So here I am to rejoice with her and I couldn’t believe who I saw. My dear friend, Sarah was a shadow of herself.
Just like every expecting mom, she read books and attended baby classes. But nothing she read is close to what she was experiencing at the moment.
During the first few weeks, Jason, her newborn seemed to get constantly hungry and always wanted to feed. It was more intense in the evenings and late afternoons. He feeds, sleeps, cries, feeds and feeds and the cycle continues.
Sarah was almost losing her mind. She was beyond exhausted and Jason won’t stop asking for milk. As baby Jason latched on to feed again. Quiet tears streamed down her face as she said, ‘Joy, this isn’t just normal hunger anymore. I’m completely drained.
That was when I decided to look for a solution. This blog will try to answer all your questions about cluster feeding and how to manage this phase in order not be overwhelmed.
What is Cluster Feeding?
Cluster feeding is when your baby has several short feeds spaced closer together than you expect. For example, instead of nursing every three to four hours, your baby might nurse every hour.
This can happen in the early days and weeks of a newborn life. It can happen at any time of the day but more often in the late afternoon or evenings.
Normal feeding versus Cluster feeding
Normal feeding in babies is spaced evening all through the day and night with slight changes if need be. These feeding periods could be 2 to 3 hours but during Cluster feeding, your baby wants to feed almost constantly.
They might nurse for 10-30 minutes, and then want to feed again and again every hour. It’s much more frequent than their usual feedings.
Why do babies cluster feed?
For Comfort
Nursing provides warmth to a newborn. The close contact and touch of the mother is soothing and second to none; so they just want to stay there. So adorable, right?
More Milk supply
As your baby grows, they naturally need more milk. This frequent feeding is their way of telling your body, ‘Mum, I need you to make more milk for me.’
Sound Sleep
Your baby could be preparing for a long period of sleep and they need to be well fed to be able to do that.
Growing Fast
Babies grow really quickly, and cluster feeding can happen when they’re having a growth spurt, making them feed more frequently than usual.
How long does Cluster Feeding last?
There is no fixed duration for cluster feeding. Every baby is unique so it varies from baby to baby. But, it tends to be most intense in the first few weeks, and during growth spurts, like around 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months.
Cluster feeding can last from a few days to a week. While it may feel like it will never end, they outgrow it around 3 to 4 months. Babies may occasionally cluster feed like when sick but when solid foods are introduced, their reliance on milk will drastically reduce.
The challenges for parents
We know cluster feeding is a normal stage for newborns, but that doesn’t make it easy. . The constant, frequent feedings does not give the mother time for personal activities, rest and self-care.
It can also disrupt the parents sleep taking a toil on both physical and mental health of the mother. This can be demanding and can lead to exhaustion, depression and even resentment.
As a new mom who is just adjusting to the new life and its realities. This can be an overwhelming period for you, just like my friend, Sarah. The feedings won’t just stop, and she had to assume the worst and question herself. Could it be that my newborn wasn’t getting enough milk? She began to worry and panic.
However, that may not be so. Your baby is fine. This is your baby’s way of telling your body, ‘I’m growing, make more milk!'”
However, it is also important to differentiate cluster feeding from other issues like reflux or colic and seek help if it is serious. With the right information and support, the burden can be reduced.
Coping Strategies: How to Keep Your Sanity Intact
1. Create a comfortable spot for these feeding sessions
Get a cozy and comfortable chair, pad the chair with a pillow so you can be comfortable. Make sure the place is well lit and not over bright. Then relax and feed your baby.
Stock up on healthy snacks such as fruits and nuts by your side. Keep yourself hydrated with water and herbal teas as breastfeed can be dehydrating.
Engage yourself with books, magazines, movies, soft music on ear puds etc to prevent boredom.
By creating a comfortable spot for these feeding sessions, you can make these feeding sessions fun filled and enjoyable.
2. Supplementation if needed
During Cluster Feeding, due to the fact that your child is constantly hungry, you can pump some quantity of milk to supplement your direct breastfeeding.
Having pumped milk available allows your partner or another caregiver to give a feeding, providing you with some breaks.
3. Ask for help
Have a conversation with your partner, friends and family. Let them know you need help, where and when necessary. Give them tasks depending on their ability and availability.
Cooking, laundry, shopping glossaries, caring for older children or pets, delegate them all.
This will create free time for you and save you stress allowing you concentrate on cluster feeding.
Create a support group you can talk to for the much needed emotional support. This will reduce isolation as you will have people around to confide in and always talk to.
4. Get a baby carrier for hands free feeding
Buy a comfortable baby carrier that allows hands free feeding. Safely position your baby and breastfeed.
You can now use your free hands to relax or check your calls and emails. This allows you to multitask while feeding the baby, making you more productive and the process more relaxing.
5. Drink lots of water and eat healthy foods
Always have a water bottle close-by so you can be properly hydrated.
Eat a balanced diet and include fruits and vegetables as you need to keep your energy level up during this period. This also helps in milk production.
6. Change Your Mindset: It’s a Phase, Not Forever
Instead of seeing this phase as one of suffering and pain, remind yourself that it is a temporal phase.
Newborns grow quickly and as they grow, their feeding pattern changes too. Focus on the moment and take it one day at a time.
Think of the future and be hopeful. Resetting your mindset can help you develop a positive attitude during this overwhelming time.
7. Self-care
If you have a few minutes, please take a nap and make it a priority. As a nursing mother, you need to rest. Sleep when the baby sleeps, no matter how small the duration.
Sometimes, you may not be able to sleep, you can sit quietly and relax. Do things that help you relax. It could be listening to calm music, taking a warm bath, yoga and meditation.
These moments to yourself reduce tension and stress as well as improve your mood.
There is a need to talk and confide in your partner and be truthful about how you feel. Don’t bottle it up.
Find someone who will not judge you and talk to them. This is the time to lean on your support group.
8. Understand your baby’s needs
Cluster feeding is not a sign that your baby is demanding but that they are leaning more on you for comfort, warmth and nourishment.
So be patient with your baby. They are adjusting to a new world and environment too.
Understanding your baby’s perspective can help you manage your emotions and you will respond to their needs with love and understanding.
There are signs that your baby is hungry such as turning their head and opening of their mouth, restlessness and putting their hands in their mouth. These are cues from your baby telling you “mom, i am hungry”.
So feed them early so they don’t get fuzzy or irritated. This is necessary in order to have a peaceful feeding time. If a baby is over hungry before feeding, they may start crying, making feeding more difficult.
Ensure a good latch during feeding. Bring your baby close to your breast, rather than leaning forward.
This helps them feed well and reduces nipple soreness causing discomfort to the mother.
You need to watch for signs that your baby is full, like when they close their mouth or turn away. When you see that, stop feeding them.
And don’t forget to pause during feedings to burp them, so they don’t get uncomfortable.
As a mum, be able to differentiate when your baby needs comfort and when they are hungry. There are two different things. A baby gains comfort from sucking but they may not be hungry.
If it is comfort they need, you can try rocking, swaddling, rubbing them gently or use a pacifier.
When to seek professional help
In as much as cluster feeding is a normal phase, there are scenarios when they could be something wrong. This could be any of the following:
Your baby is not gaining weight despite being cluster fed. There could be an issue with milk supply or milk transfer. You may need to see a professional to ascertain that and find a solution to it.
- Painful Latch: While nipple soreness is normal due to frequency of the feeding, severe pain may not be normal and it’s time to look for a professional.
- Signs of dehydration such as fewer wet diapers, dry mouth. You need to seek help immediately.
- Excessive crying even after feeding. This could be a sign for some other issue causing discomfort to your baby. It could be reflux or colic or something else. The professionals will figure it out.
There are professionals such as paediatricians who can monitor the baby growth and development, lactation consultants who help with issues on latching and milk supply.
Asking for help is a responsible thing to do. It shows you want the best for your baby and yourself. Trust your instincts as a mother as no one knows your baby more than you.
Remember, you need to take care of yourself to be able to care for your baby. Please be patient and kind to yourself during this time. This phase will definitely pass.
You may also see:
How to survive the first 3 months with a baby without feeling overwhelmed
