It’s the middle of the night and you just laid down to close your eyes after a short feeding session with your baby. But the moment you close your eyes Baby seems to be awake and fussing again! They are clearly looking for a nipple to latch onto, making sucking motions, rooting. Can they really be hungry again already?! Your baby is likely cluster feeding. Let’s talk about what that means.
How long does cluster feeding last?
If you find that your newborn starts getting hungry and fussy soon after their last feed they might be cluster feeding. This phase can last about 2 to 3 days, but can vary from baby to baby. Even if you have twins, they might not cluster feed at the same time, which can be incredibly frustrating.
When you are in the thick of it with cluster feeding it is normal to feel very “touched out” and like you need a break. Particularly if you are exclusively breastfeeding. But even with bottle feeding the cluster feeding phase can feel like it lasts forever. Just try to remember that it will be over in a matter of days.
How do you survive cluster feeding?
- Self care: Make sure that in the midst of responding to your baby’s needs you are not ignoring your own. Be sure to eat and stay hydrated. Try to rest whenever you can. The laundry can wait, the dishes can wait. When you are taking care of a baby, your health (physical and mental) is the most important thing. Talk to other parents who have been through it too! Reaching out can help you feel less frustrated and alone. Join a new parents’ group, virtual or in-person, or go to a La Leche League group if you are breastfeeding.
- Hydrate: Hydration has been the name of the game since even the early days of pregnancy. And the importance of hydration is still relevant postpartum. Whether you are breastfeeding, bottle feeding or formula feeding, hydration is another way you can make sure to care for yourself amidst your baby’s needs. But especially if you are breastfeeding, staying hydrated when your baby is cluster feeding will help your body meet these heightened demands.
- Set up a feeding station: Because you will be spending a lot of time in the rocking chair or on the couch feeding your baby, it may serve you to set up a feeding station. Stock a small box or tray with snacks, a water bottle, burp cloths and maybe pacifiers to keep things within reach. Keep a phone charger nearby, or anything you find yourself wishing you had grabbed before settling in with your baby.
- Switch-off if you can: One of the major benefits of bottle feeding your baby is that you can share in the responsibility. If you can switch off each feeding with your partner, or have a postpartum doula come by during cluster feeding hours you can have a much deserved break.
- Soothing: Cluster feeding can be a sign of growth in your baby. It is important that you respond to Baby’s hunger cues, and make sure to feed them when they need it. That being said, babies can cry for a multitude of reasons. If your baby was already fed, and they are crying, but not displaying their hunger cues they may just want to suckle to soothe. You can offer a pacifier or your clean finger for them to suck on.
Just remember it will be over soon. It can feel like forever in the moment, but you and your baby will survive this phase.
At what ages do babies cluster feed?
You will probably start to notice your baby cluster feeding around 3 weeks old, then again around 6 weeks old. These cluster feeding phases usually coincide with a growth spurt! Your baby needs a little (or a lot) of extra nourishment when they are passing through a growth spurt. Even if you can’t visibly see or physically feel your baby’s rapid growth, know that their brains are developing very quickly! Older babies also have periods of cluster feeding around three months old and six months old.
Some parenting apps can follow along with your baby’s growth, and will be able to inform you when a growth spurt or a fussy period is coming up. These phases are sometimes called “leaps”. Cluster feeding can occur when your baby is going through a leap or also a “sleep regression”.
How do you know it’s cluster feeding?
If your baby is feeding more frequently and feeds feel shorter they are likely going through a period of cluster feeding. This usually happens in the evening, over the course of a few hours, typically around bed time. Cluster feeding can be confused with other common phases that can occur around the same age, and have similar symptoms. Colic, the witching hour, and sleep regression all look very similar to cluster feeding. This is a good reason to learn and understand your baby’s hunger cues. That way you will be able to decipher if they are hungry or if there is another reason for their fussiness.
Cluster feeding is common with breastfed babies, but also occurs with formula fed babies. The frequency of feeds might make you wonder if you have enough supply. By fulfilling your baby’s need to feed you are increasing your supply to meet their demands. Even if you are not feeling as big a let down, you are likely giving them all that they need. A good way to be sure is to make sure that they are having enough wet diapers and bowel movements throughout the day. Between 6-9 per day, 5-7 for older babies.
Signs of cluster feeding
Cluster feeding can be difficult to identify. If your baby has always been fairly quiet and “easy”, but now gets fussy in the evenings all of a sudden, you might not automatically think that they are cluster feeding. Especially if they have just been fed, you might assume that they are not hungry and that there is something else going on. A hungry baby might try to suck on everything they can reach with their mouth. They may get frustrated when whatever they are sucking does not in fact produce the milk that they are needing.
If your baby is eating less during feeds: When your baby is cluster feeding the feeding sessions will be shorter. You might be surprised that your baby, who was wailing moments ago is now asleep at the nipple. This can be a sign of cluster feeding, when your baby is satisfied after just a short feed.
Gets hungry more frequently: Once you have settled your baby and gotten them down in their bassinet it might feel like a mere 20 minutes before they are awake and hungry once again. Cluster feedings can go anywhere from 20-30 minutes to an hour apart. It can feel like you get no rest or breaks in between.
Fussy between feedings: Baby is fed and has a fresh diaper, so why are they still crying and unable to settle. Feeling fussy and discontent between their frequent feeds is another indication of cluster feeding. This is why it is often mistaken for the witching hour or colic.
Wakes easily and more frequently in the night: During periods of cluster feeding Baby will wake more frequently throughout the night. There might be a period between 2-4am where you might get a little more sleep, but otherwise it can feel unending.
Passing through a phase of cluster feeding can feel very challenging for parents. This is especially true of default parents or breastfeeding parents, who can easily feel overtired and touched out. Reaching out for help during these periods of disquiet and high demand is a great way to care for yourself. Finding a postpartum doula can help you through a rough patch. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your physician or pediatrician if you feel there might be deeper concerns.
How to stop cluster feeding?
I know it is so tempting to try to stop your baby from cluster feeding. But your baby needs it! You are doing the best thing you can do for your baby by responding to their needs. We don’t want to stop babies from cluster feeding. I know that sticking a pacifier in their mouth and trying to get a few more minutes of peace is all you might want to do. But your growing baby needs those extra calories. That is why they are cluster feeding in the first place.
Body and brain development demands a lot of calories. Your baby’s brain will double in size in the first year of their life! Your baby is growing quickly, and their metabolism works fast. They are working hard and need those extra calories that they crave to fuel their growth.
Babies also cluster feed to help build your milk supply. As they age, their demand for milk matures. Cluster feeding is a way for their body to communicate with yours to meet their needs. Even if you are pumping, upping your pump sessions to power pumping can help you meet the caloric needs of your growing baby.
Cluster Feeding
It’s a blessing and a curse. But at least it is over almost as quickly as it started. In most cases your baby’s cluster feeding will phase out in a matter of days. There are easy ways to make sure you are caring for yourself and meeting your own needs, as you respond to and care for your baby. Identifying cluster feeding is a good way to help you get through, as you know you will be past it soon.
As always, if you have a feeling that something isn’t right you should always contact your baby’s pediatrician. Reaching out for help and support is a great way to get you through those days of cluster feeding. Finding a community that you trust, or a doula to support you are great ways to help yourself. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, you got this.