Cluster Feeding – Things You Need to Know

Catching Up

This is a typical conversation with a mom after the second night after her baby’s birth: “My baby ate all night long. He must not be getting enough.”

This is my typical response: “This is normal and healthy behavior. Your baby is trying to do his part to bring your milk in and create an abundant milk supply.”

Cluster feeding can occur at any time in the early days after a baby is first born, but it almost certainly will happen the second night.

This is so common that we have a name for it. We call it second-night syndrome.

If I talk to a mom before the second night, then I will prepare her for it by encouraging an afternoon nap.

After the milk comes in cluster feeding is still common and normal.

It will look a little different than that second night.

It usually occurs for a few hours, often in the late afternoon or early evening.

However, babies can’t tell time so it can happen at any time of the day and may happen a couple of times a day.

It will usually happen when a baby goes through a growth spurt. Those cluster feeding sessions can last all day long.

Your take away message is that cluster feeding is normal.

Should you ever be concerned about very frequent feeding?

If it is constant and all day for days.

Keeping a feeding log can really help to figure out if that is happening.

A tally counter is a quick easy way of counting daily feedings. Having several allows you to put them everywhere you breastfeed, your bed, the living room, in your purse.

In a situation like that check in with a lactation consultant. She’ll be able to help you determine if there is any cause for concern.

Read 5 Easy to Remember Tips for Surviving the First Week of Breastfeeding

Cluster Feeding – Things You Need to Know