Need Advice: Cluster Feeding of Epic Proportions

OhSewCrafty · January 2011

Charlie has been cluster feeding for three solid hours and I literally have nothing left to give. My poor boobs look like deflated balloons. At this point, he keeps unlatching and crying because he's not getting much anymore. Should I supplement with a bottle of BM or try to keep him on the boob to increase my supply??

As a side note... We're finally off the shield (for real this time) and he's discovered the joy of eating quicker and getting more. I think my supply needs to catch up, but he's impatiently screaming his face off. Crying

babyonthebrain2010 · January 2011

aww I'm sorry!! if he's already been feeding on empty bewbies for a while then your supply should be fine, just needs a little time to catch up! I'd save your poor nipples and just give him a little BM in a bottle if he's really still hungry! good luck!

abovewedding · January 2011

That's not fun at all..my baby cluster fed for the first two days in the hospital and he would also unlatch and cry and then eat again. I'd personally keep him on to increase your supply. Its tiring but it should be over soon and he'll be happy again

OhSewCrafty · January 2011

Aaand now he's asleep with my nip in his mouth. Confused

Thanks for the advice/sympathy, ladies. I think I'm going to give him a few ounces if he wakes up wanting more. In the meantime, looks like I'm watching a few more episodes of "Worst Cooks in America" on the couch. lol

MrsTechie · January 2011

I'm sorry, 3 hrs non-stop is rough.

If you can get him settled at all, I suggest slathering on the lanolin and getting in a hot shower. The heat and water usually stimulate more production without tugging on your nipples.

Wyatt gets irritated during our marathon cluster feeds- around the 4th or 5th hour- but I don't think it's because he's hungry. I can feel my let downs and I know he's getting something. Also, when he takes his mini cat naps between active sucking sessions, he's usually got milk in the corners of his mouth. Anyway, when his irritation kicks in, I start moving. Wyatt gets into periods where he will only be soothed with rocking, either by swaying back and forth or by rocking him in a chair.

Good luck!

Cheekers2010 · January 2011

Congrats on getting off the shield! No advice, I agree with the pp's. I'm sure your supply will catch up.

LaLaaaa · January 2011

Eek, really sorry! I would definitely give him a bottle and save your nips. It's only 1 night, it's not going to hurt your supply.

cc605 · January 2011

Ugh sorry!! I woul keep him on the boob bc maybe he's prepping for a growth spurt. Carson goes off and on for 4-6 hrs everynight. I'm a fan of House Hunters myself :0)

andreamom · January 2011

Just as a total side note, I was reading about how oatmeal really increases your supply...just a thought if you have some lying around in your cupboard:)

thatgirl85 · January 2011

Alec was the same way this past week. He had a growth spurt which resulted in non-stop feeding. I dethawed some frozen milk and gave him a bottle.

FYI, I'm now over-producing as a result of non-stop cluster feeding for 3 days. I'm going to have to buy a bigger freezer.

Want a personalized experience?

Need Advice: Cluster Feeding of Epic Proportions

Re: Need Advice: Cluster Feeding of Epic Proportions

Choose Another Board

Search Boards