Cluster Feeding
Before the month of October ends I thought I would breakdown a common breastfeeding struggle! In the spirit of all things spooky, scary, and go bump in the night I thought I would demystify one of the most asked topics that I receive questions about! If you have taken a prenatal breastfeeding course with me then you are familiar with my thoughts on cluster feedings as well as the science behind it and my tips on how to survive it! A long night of cluster feeding may make you feel like a zombie the next day but I promise, cluster feeding is a necessary process of breastfeeding and comes with it’s own benefits that you probably didn’t know about!
Cluster feeding may feel like a horrible Halloween trick where you are trapped in the twilight zone with a ever hungry never satisfied baby but what if I told you that there are benefits of cluster feeding that are really a treat for your breastfeeding journey!
What is Cluster Feeding?
Let’s first breakdown what is even means when we use the term cluster feeding. It is when your baby has a series of several feedings that are close to together over a short period of time. Both breast and bottle fed babies can clusterfeed and it usually occurs about 3-5 days before a noticeable growth spurt! Cluster feeding does not usually occur at the same time as a developmental leap or when a baby is bothered by teething.
For example:
It is early on a Tuesday morning and your baby wakes up at
0300 for a 20 minute feeding
0350 for a 15 minute feeding
0500 for a 40 minute feeding
0600 for a 10 minute feeding
0740 for a 30 minute feeding
Your baby then settles and sleeps for a few hours and again wakes hungry and maybe even a little fussy and then proceeds to feed at
1100 for 25 minutes
1200 for 7 minutes
1255 for 10 minutes
You get the idea…………. It’s a LOT OF FEEDING in a very short period of time! Your baby may seem insatiable and will only sleep if being held or in a baby carrier. The good news is cluster feeding lasts for about 24 hours and then fades away. Once you realize what is actually going on it does make it easier to handle because you know to just grab some snacks and camp out with your baby, a jug of water, and your favorite show! If you have toddlers running around and are breastfeeding a cluster feeding newborn I would strongly suggest baby wearing…trust me it helps keep your sanity and your baby satisfied!
Why do babies cluster feed?
The short answer is, babies are smart and are intuitive eaters! They know what their little bodies need in terms of calories and volume and as they are preparing for a growth spurt they will begin to nurse more frequently in order to up regulate their moms breastmilk production. How does it all work? well, it sounds a little bit like mad science but it’s not, they are simply anticipating an increase in demand so they increase production! Prolactin levels spike about 30 minutes after a feeding occurs, so by breastfeeding shortly after a breastfeeding session prolactin levels are spiked a second (or third) time which over the course of multiple cluster feeding sessions signals to our bodies that more milk needs to be made! You may have heard that empty breasts make more milk than full breasts and it is true! Having consistently full breasts tell your body to slow down production. Empty breasts signal to your body that milk production needs to be stepped up!
How to survive cluster feeding?
Start by supporting yourself, nourish your body well during this time.
Stay hydrated
Eat nourishing foods if you need some inspiration download my shopping lists here for breastmilk supporting foods
Care for tender breasts using hydrogel pads, silverettes, and coconut oil
If you are feeling over it or touched out:
Try pumping and bottle feeding for a couple of feeds
Take a bath with your baby! I know this sounds like it would make you feel more touched out but adding water just makes things better!
Take a step back and ask yourself, “ is it really my baby’s need to eat that is bothering me or is it something else?” It could be feeling like you are stuck in the house, don’t have autonomy over your body, overstimulated, hungry, thirsty, tired, overworked, lonely, etc that is making you feel so upset
Ask for support
Get some sunshine — vitamin D helps to boost our mood
Know that it will pass
Talk with a trusted friend
Reach out for support! Did you know that you can book a 15 minute quick call through my lactation practice? We can talk about how to manage cluster feeding and you will walk away from our call feeling so uplifted! You can even use your HSA/FSA to cover the $15 cost.
As we close out on this month, I hope that your aren’t too spooked to ask for help! I want you to know that lactation support is important for every single mama and that you do not have to journey alone!
Be well
XOXO Morgan
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