Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Just when you felt like you and your baby settled into a nice breastfeeding pattern, did they just start breastfeeding every hour? Do you suddenly feel like you’re spending your entire day as a 24-hour buffet? Don’t worry mama! This is called cluster feeding. Cluster feeding is perfectly normal, and we’re here to answer your questions and cheerlead you through it.
Cluster feeding is when your baby breastfeeds several times in a short period of time (2). AKA your baby clusters some feedings together. This usually happens because of one of two reasons:
Breastfeeding works as a supply and demand system. During a growth spurt, your baby’s appetite demands your body to up its milk supply. The more your baby sucks, the more milk your breasts make (4). After a few days of cluster feeding, your milk supply will increase to match your baby’s needs. To your relief, your baby will usually return to her typical eating pattern (1).
Growth spurts typically occur around three weeks, six weeks, and three months (4; 5). Your baby may get a little hangry for a few days during these growth spurts! He may be fussier than usual, and he may want to eat every hour, even up to two or three days (3; 4). We promise it won’t last forever!
Some babies, particularly in the first weeks of life, will routinely cluster feed during a certain time of day. They may want to eat every hour for three to six hours every day (4). This is very common, particularly before or after a long nap or a long stretch of sleep at night (1; 6). Your baby just wants to make up for that meal they missed while they slept!
“How often should I feed my baby?” is one of the most common questions a new mom asks. We live in a society that runs on schedules, and we want to know how our newborn baby will fit into a routine. Do not put your newborn baby on a regimented eating schedule (4; 6). Schedules don’t give any room for when your baby needs to cluster feed. Allowing your baby to eat when she’s hungry will satisfy your baby, stimulate your milk supply, minimize soreness for you, and decrease your chance of breast engorgement (2; 3; 4).
It’s true, newborn babies typically eat every two to three hours. But that is not a set timetable! Don’t think, “It hasn’t been three hours, so she shouldn’t be hungry yet,” or, “I just fed her an hour ago! Surely I don’t need to feed her already!” Every baby’s eating pattern is different. It’s better to think that your baby should be eating at least 8 times in a 24-hour period. Most babies eat 10–12 times in 24 hours.
While you should not discourage your baby from eating as often as she likes, you may need to encourage your sleepy baby to eat. For the first month, your newborn baby should not go longer than 2–3 hours during the day or 3–4 hours at night without a feeding (5).
Remember to look for the cues that signal your baby is hungry (5):
If you see these hunger cues, do not wait until your baby is crying to feed her. Crying is a late, distressed sign of hunger (5). Encourage your baby to breastfeed as long as she is actively sucking and swallowing milk (2; 6). If she starts to fall asleep before she is full, tickle her feet or rub her back to keep her engaged in the eating process (5).
Long story short—feed that baby whenever she wants for however long she wants!
Cluster feeding often makes parents anxious. When you see your baby wanting food every hour, it’s easy to wonder if they’re starving! Remember, cluster feeding is normal and is nature’s way of producing more milk for your growing baby. There will be plenty of milk to help your baby through a growth spurt (4).
Here are signs that your baby is getting enough milk (1):
If you are worried that your baby is not getting enough milk, talk with your pediatrician.
Do not give your baby extra formula during cluster feeding. In order for you to create more milk for your growing baby, your baby needs to breastfeed more (4; 5). Remember, more suck = more milk. Supplementing extra formula will hurt your milk supply when your baby is trying to help it increase.
Cluster feeding often coincides with a fussy time of day or a fussy growth spurt. It’s hard to know when fussiness is normal or an indication of something else (like colic or reflux). Do not be alarmed if your baby has a day of sleepiness after a growth spurt (4).
Babies may cry or want the comfort of your breast not just when they’re hungry. They could be tired, bored, lonely, or uncomfortable (1). Click here to read about why babies cry and how to comfort them. If your baby’s crying makes you feel that something is wrong, talk with your pediatrician. Trust your gut, mama!
Cluster feeding is hard! But we promise it won’t last forever. Some moms prefer to put their baby in a sling and cluster feed on-the-go, while others prefer to cluster feed at home, curled up with some Netflix. Either way, do what you need to do to get through it, mama. So, grab your favorite snack, settle into that cozy nursing spot, and embrace the beauty of these close moments with your little one.
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Just when you felt like you and your baby settled into a nice breastfeeding pattern, did they just start breastfeeding every hour? Do you suddenly feel like you’re spending your
