Common worries about cluster feeding You might worry that you don't have enough milk because your baby takes a long time to settle. You might also think your breasts feel empty. But there is always milk in your breasts. They are never completely empty.
Evening Cluster Feeding
Some babies may want to nurse every 30 minutes to an hour in the evenings. This is normal, and it does not mean your baby isn't getting enough milk. It may just be your baby's way of filling up before a longer sleep at night.
Cluster feeding is a smart way for your baby to boost your milk supply during growth spurts. There's nothing wrong with your milk or supply, but baby's instincts know that feeding every hour or so is the best way to trigger your body to produce more. Spacing out feedings would not be nearly as efficient.
Usually, cluster feeding resolves within 2-3 days after starting. Also, a few helpful things to remember when cluster feeding is feeling endless: Cluster feeding occurs around developmental milestones — your baby's body is doing important things!
1 With cluster feeding, however, the baby might nurse several times at very close intervals. Cluster feeding can be described as one big batch of small feedings. More often than not, cluster feedings occur in the evening hours during the baby's fussy period.
Snuggling close to mom in a sling or baby carrier is instantly soothing for many cluster feeding babies and may result in a longer stretch of sleep. With practice, you can even nurse on the go to give yourself a change of scenery during long evenings of cluster feeding.
When he stops suckling and swallowing, or when he falls asleep, you'll want to switch him to the other breast. If he hasn't released the first breast, simply slip your finger into the corner of his mouth to break the suction (and protect your nipple) before removing him from your breast.
You can increase your milk supply by: Nursing your baby often. Nurse every 2 hours during the day and every 3 to 4 hours at night (at least 8 to 16 times in 24 hours). If your baby will not nurse, use a good quality double electric breast pump to increase milk production.
Because your baby latches on so many times during a cluster feed, your nipples can take a beating. Not only do you want to be taking care of your breasts by using lanolin and nursing pads, but changing up the position you feed your baby in can help, too.
Your cluster pumping schedule
So basically you're going to pump every 5-10 minutes, every half an hour. Keep this going for 3 hours, and if possible repeat for 3 days in a row (or whatever works).
Assuming your milk has come in, “if you are breastfeeding frequently, every two hours, and your baby has a good latch but is not gaining weight, then you probably have low supply,” said Wisner.
During periods of cluster feeding and growth spurts, it is important to continue breastfeeding on-demand and allowing your little one to decide when they have had enough to eat. Be sure to continue drinking plenty of water and consider incorporating powering pumping into your routine.
Cluster feeding refers to when newborn babies need to be frequently fed, but for shorter periods of time, typically for 10-15 minutes at a time for two to three hours.
If they are limp at your breast and barely moving except gentle sucks, they're just sucking but not in an effort to get a real feed. If you can put a pacifier in their mouth and the suck is similar, this is a good way to tell whether they're sucking for a feed or just comfort.
The first few days: Your breast milk coming in
Around day three after your baby's birth, your breast milk 'comes in' and your breasts may start to feel noticeably firmer and fuller.
Despite views to the contrary, breasts are never truly empty. Milk is actually produced nonstop—before, during, and after feedings—so there's no need to wait between feedings for your breasts to refill. In fact, a long gap between feedings actually signals your breasts to make less, not more, milk.
Your breasts feel softer and not as full after feeding
Your breasts should feel softer at the end of a feeding. Emptying as much milk from your breasts as possible will help create more supply for the next feeding.
Cluster feeding ages vary for each baby, but it usually happens around 3 weeks and 6 weeks, when they have growth spurts. It may last for a few days at a time. Talk to a lactation consultant if cluster feedings spans much longer because your child might not be consuming enough calories.
Can a pacifier help with cluster feeding? If you're already using a pacifier, you know how much of a saint these tiny devices can be. This is especially true during cluster-feeding periods. Not only can they help soothe a fussy baby, but it can help parents distinguish between cluster feeding and comfort.
It often happens in the evening — suddenly your baby will want to be at your breast endlessly. Cluster feeding is completely normal and usually occurs in your baby's first six months. You'll likely see it for the first time soon after your baby is born. It's a hard time for moms.
Your breasts will feel softer and less full as your milk supply adjusts to your baby's needs. This does not mean you have low supply.
Use compressions on both breasts until your milk flow slows to a trickle. Massage your breasts again. Finish by hand expressing or single pumping, using breast compressions and switching between breasts to drain them as fully as possible.
A few ways to replenish your milk supply
Even if your baby isn't hungry, pumping every two instead of three hours for a few days will rev up the body's supply and the “demand” process and produce more milk. Pumping consistently should rev up the body's "supply and demand” process and produce more milk.