Cluster feeding is a smart way that your baby boosts your milk supply during one of their many growth spurts! Let’s go over what is cluster feeding, 9 tips for a cluster feeding newborn, how long does cluster feeding last, cluster feeding ages, and when do babies cluster feed.
What is Cluster Feeding?
You’ll know when your baby is cluster feeding when they’re nursing in “clusters” throughout the day, which will look like many, many times in a short time span with little time between feeds.
This is normal and does not mean that your baby isn’t getting enough milk.
Watch ‘How to Survive Cluster Feeding’ Now on YouTube!
When Do Babies Cluster Feed?
Cluster feeding ages can vary from baby to baby; however, the younger your baby is, the more often they will go through bouts of cluster feeding. This is because babies grow very quickly, and as I mentioned above, cluster feeding is often due to your baby going through a growth spurt!
Besides growth spurts, other reasons your baby may be cluster feeding include:
- Discomfort if your baby is sick
- Teething discomfort making it difficult to feed comfortably
- If your baby is distracted and just getting enough to move to the next thing throughout the day. This is common around 4 months when babies have a huge developmental leap (this is what causes the 4-month sleep regression). Additionally, their eyesight gets better leading to more distraction from feeding!
Signs your baby is cluster feeding might include:
- Feeding more frequently than usual for days and nights, then they are sleepier for a few days after
- Fussiness when awake and not at the breast
- Having normal, full feedings and wanting to be fed again 30-60 minutes later
- Nursing frequently in a short time span with little time between feedings
- Clusters often occurring in the evening and nighttime
Nevertheless, during the early days of breastfeeding, your baby could also set up the supply they need from you. Remember, every baby is different, and your body will accommodate what your baby needs in terms of both supply and nutrition in your breastmilk.
Lastly, your baby could also want your comfort. Your baby is still transitioning from your womb to this world, and sucking provides them with lots of comfort, especially while simultaneously hearing, smelling, and touching you!
Sucking helps soothe babies because it releases hormones that lower stress in their bodies. Check out the evidence-based pros and cons of pacifiers for babies!
How Long Does Cluster Feeding Last?
What is Not Normal?
Feeding frequently is normal. However, feeding constantly is not. If your baby is not showing fullness cues such as:
- Letting go of your nipple
- Turning their head to the side, away from your breast
- No longer sucking on your breast
- Taking long pauses between their sucks and swallows
- Falling asleep
- Baby’s body is relaxed, and their hands are unclenched
Then see a lactation consultant in person to do a pre- and post-feeding weigh-in to check how much breastmilk your baby is transferring at the breast. If your baby is not transferring well, pumping to keep up a supply while fixing the root problem is most likely needed.
What Can Help Cluster Feeding?
1. Breastfeed on Demand
Nursing on demand will help both you and your baby. They will continue cluster feeding until it works how it’s meant for them!
By feeding on demand, you will ultimately end the cluster feeding sooner.
Plus, responsive feeding is associated with mature milk coming in faster, a lower risk of jaundice, and more quickly regaining birth weight.
2. Remember Your Breasts Always Have Milk in Them
If you’re breastfeeding, then your breasts will always have milk in them! So try not to worry about not making enough milk.
If your baby is showing fullness cues, gaining weight, and having enough wet diapers, then your baby is getting enough breastmilk!
For a FULL, easy-to-use Healthy Diaper Output Guide and so much more about baby poop colors, how to know if your baby is getting enough breastmilk, etc., check out all 18 chapters of The Balanced Breastfeeding Course HERE!
3. Prepare Your Nursing Cart for Cluster Feeding
A nursing cart is a 3-tier utility cart in which you put all of your daily breastfeeding/bottle-feeding and baby care needs on.
This may include diapers, diaper creams, a Haakaa, organic nipple balm, burp cloths, snacks, drinks, and more!
Plus, since this cart has wheels, you can move it wherever you are in your home to easily access your supplies while feeding during the day or sleeping at night!
4. Continue Waking Baby Every 3 Hours to Nurse
Even if they can sleep longer, wait until your baby shows good weight gain patterns to let them sleep longer (about 4 oz per week, for babies under 4 months old).
Once your baby has established good weight gain patterns, you can stop waking them to nurse and start letting them set their own nursing patterns during the day! But if your baby hasn’t reached this milestone yet, then continue to wake up every 3 hours to nurse.
If your baby sleeps through the night and has been showing good weight gain patterns, check out How to Maintain Your Milk Supply While Night Weaning.
5. Fuel Yourself
Cluster feeding can be frustrating and uncomfortable. Fuel yourself with as many healthy foods, hydration, encouragement, and love as possible!
6. Use a Wrap or Carrier for Cluster Feeding
Cluster feeding doesn’t have to demand you to be sitting or lying down more often! Use a wrap or carrier that you can get your baby to successfully latch in so that you can still move around! (Of course, only when you want or need to!)
7. Rest Earlier in the Day
Since cluster feeding often picks up in the evening and night, try to rest as much as possible earlier in the day.
Then when your baby is cluster feeding again, try to bond and relax together.
8. Breathe
Remember taking deep breaths can help lower your stress. I also teach some fantastic, practical breathing methods backed up by high-quality evidence in The Balanced Breastfeeding Course!
Did you know that breathing can also be used as a tool to lower your stress and connect to your baby while pumping at work?
9. Remember That the Cluster Feeding Will End
Yes, that’s right! This will end!
Cluster feeding can be hard. Give yourself grace and take care of yourself, mama.
Should You Use Nipple Cream if You’re Experiencing Pain?
Although when your baby is cluster feeding, your nipples experience a lot of friction, this doesn’t mean you should have painful nipples.
Often the first thing I hear when a mom is having nipple pain is them trying out different nipple creams, but this is not going to fix the problem. Instead, we must all get into the habit of realizing something is wrong that is causing this pain. We should first check the latch, try different positions, and if that doesn’t work, then call a lactation consultant.
A randomized controlled trial found that using only latch correctment without added gadgets such as lanolin, nipple shield/shells, glycerin gel, etc., you have the same success with a decrease in pain compared to those who paired gadgets with latch correctment. Furthermore, the group without gadgets or commercial preparations also had faster healing times and decreased need for follow-up regarding their pain.
There are still questions about the effectiveness of nipple creams. One study found that if nipple fissures become infected, they heal best with antibiotics such as All-Purpose Nipple Ointment (APNO), a combination of antibiotic cream, antifungal cream, and a corticosteroid. However, steroids are NOT good to put on nipples.
In one study participants were asked to apply a small amount of vitamin e oil to their nipple and areola area after each feeding starting in the hospital. The study halted when infant blood levels rose 40% in just 6 days because of the vitamin e.
So, the conclusion is that you don’t need any nipple cream unless you have a nipple fissure that becomes infected. Non-infected nipple fissures take 7-10 days to heal, and if we are actively figuring out and solving the problem as soon as pain is recognized.
Nature’s Nipple Balm
Did you know that the tiny bumps around the nipple on your areola are called Montgomery Glands? These glands secrete an oil mixed with your breastmilk that has antibacterial properties! This oil cleans, lubricates, and protects the nipple during breastfeeding!
In addition to your Montgomery Glands doing their job, your nipple and areola are soaked in breastmilk during breastfeeding.
Remember, breastmilk is antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-infection, and antiviral and has anti-inflammatory properties! Therefore, you don’t need a nipple cream because you already have nature’s nipple balm and protectants!
“What about coconut oil for my nipples?”
Coconut oil is a food and not one for babies. Therefore, you should never apply coconut oil to your areolas or nipples. This also applies to any other lotions and products; we don’t want your baby to ingest them. Furthermore, we don’t want to mask the natural scent of sebum and breastmilk that is excreted from your Montgomery Glands to help your baby navigate to your breasts and feel comforted by your scent.
You got this, mama! You are encouraged, educated, and empowered. If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you!👇🏻👇🏻
Sources:
Does Lanolin Use Increase the Risk for Infection in Breastfeeding Women?
VITAMIN E CONCENTRATION IN NEWBORN’S SERUM AFTER TOPICAL USE OF VITAMIN E BY NURSING MOTHERS
Pain reduction and treatment of sore nipples in nursing mothers
DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding you or your baby’s health. Please read my Medical Disclaimer for more info
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