Cluster Feeding And Growth Spurts
CLUSTER FEEDING
The first time I heard of cluster feeding was night 2 after my 1st baby was born. I was about to lose my mind. She had been feeding non-stop for hours, I would put her down asleep and she would scream 10mins later to be fed again!
Eventually a nurse wandered in to check on me at some ungodly hour of the morning and I cried and said I didn’t know what was going on. She laughed and said, she’s just cluster feeding and walked out! So with still absolutely no idea, my instincts luckily told me to keep feeding!
So what is it?
Cluster Feeding is a baby putting in their order. To tell your body to make milk. They bring a bunch of feeds together non-stop and basically feed around the clock. On day one of life, they are usually a little sleepy. Hopefully they do a lovely breast crawl and latch all on their own. They might have a couple of feeds but generally they snooze. You are wide awake mind you, hormones, oxytocin, adrenaline (hello you just had a baby, you rock star you!) So you’re awake and baby is a bit of a gorgeous snoozer.
Around day 2 of life, they wake up. And no, they are not starving. They cluster feed to tell your body to make milk. That they are now on the outside of your body. To say, hello, I’m here! Make milk now please! Breastmilk works on supply and demand. And the more they feed, the better your supply. It’s hard. It’s probably the hardest night of all. The adrenaline of having a baby is starting to wear off, you need sleep and the baby is AWAKE! And demanding. It’s so so normal. It’s hard, but it’s 100% totally normal. And we need and want them to do it.
Go with it. Your feeding journey will be so much better for it. Resist the urge to use dummy’s and top up with bottles. All this does is take your baby away from their prime milk making job at hand. They need to do this process to tell your body what to do. Then around day 3-4 (depending on your birth story) your body gets the message and hello Dolly Parton - Engorgement starts which I’ll save for another post.
And cluster feeding doesn’t just happen once. It keeps happening, throughout their first year of life. It is your babies way of telling your body it’s having a rapid growth spurt and/or a developmental leap. So again, go with it, it’s normal and nothing is wrong!
So get comfy and feed, feed, feed. As with everything else in parenting, this too shall pass and it happens for a reason.
4 MONTHS - What’s Going ON?
Around 4 months is when most Mums start to doubt themselves and worry that they don’t have enough milk. I can’t tell you how many Mums have come to me after seeing the GP or a nurse who has told them to start formula as they have gone in saying they don’t feel like they have enough.
So lets back up the truck. Why did Mum feel like she didn’t have enough milk? Usually its because the baby is feeding non stop again. Is extra fussy. Won’t sleep for long periods and wants to be held all the time. By you and only you! Plus your supply is somewhat regulated by this point. You don’t feel as “full” anymore. But this doesn’t mean you don’t have milk, it’s just that your body has got the hang of this deal.
It does come as a bit of a shock because usually Mum and Bub have found a bit of a rhythm at this point and then 4 months hits like a freight train. Babies constantly have growth spurts, but 4 months is a massive one.
All of this often leaves Mums confused and thinking they don’t have enough milk for the baby. They do! They are just telling your body to make more because they are growing. Then it eventually settles down again. Until the next one around 6 months (usually not as hard).
And here is the key - As long as your baby is peeing and pooping enough and gaining weight, there is usually no reason for concern. And your actually doing a great job!
4 months is tough and it is the time when most Mums start to question themselves or give up or top up with formula. But if you can hang on through it, it gets easier on the other side. I promise! Sadly, more breastfeeding is given up at the 4 month mark than at any other time on the breastfeeding journey.
Once they are on the other side of the leap, they are doing SO much more stuff! They become a lot more aware of their surroundings (including when you leave). They can pick up or grasp items. They want to chew on things. They might start to roll or sit with support. They are interested in the world around them a whole lot more. Thats a massive amount for them to learn and they go from being a beautiful newborn blob to a little bubba! So try to rephrase the whole “regression” conversation to a “progression”. It’s a really positive big step for your little one and they need your support through the big changes they are experiencing.
So what can you do?
To continue to support your breastfeeding journey - Unlimited, uninterrupted time at the breast. That is baby led feeding. That is demand feeding. And remember to watch your baby, not the clock. Quite often I hear that people have been told that you need to take the baby off after “insert random number of minutes here!”.
Babies cannot tell time! If they can, you have a miracle child!
Newborns wake to feed all the time. They often cluster feed all afternoon. 4 Month olds have growth spurts and feed all the time.
Plus - Babies feed for nutrition and comfort. They feed to connect with you. They feed when teething or in pain. They feed when they are sick. There are so many amazing things that feeding can help solve that you don’t need to time them or restrict them.
The difference here is unless of course, YOU WANT TO. That’s different to being TOLD to do or not do something. That you are somehow doing the wrong thing. You aren’t.
Same goes for any other piece of parenting advice. And here is my advice - Ignore the advice!
Do what is right for you and your baby! Motherhood mental health is also key here too. Please don’t feel like you are alone and struggling. This is hard, I 100% get that and have your back. Ask for help if you need it.
Remember, You are doing amazing.
Much love,
Peta x
You can also book some time with me to debrief birth or feeding or just ask questions and get some Mum to Mum support through my post natal doula services. https://www.beachesbaby.com.au/doula-northern-beaches-sydney
If you are pregnant and reading this, please consider my LATCH Breastfeeding Class which runs in person Monthly in North Curl Curl. Group or Private sessions are available as is an online pre-recorded downloadable version. I cover all of this and so much more in this in depth class.
Book Online at https://www.beachesbaby.com.au/latch-breastfeeding-education
Cluster feeding in the hospital in New York with my first child. Not glamourous. In a lot of pain post a traumatic birth. And fudging my way through. The learning curve is steep.
Cluster feeding at home with my 2nd after a beautiful amazing home birth. Still not glam and this guy taught me a whole bunch of new feeding lessons including patience! I am always learning.