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cluster feeding and length

Athena0809Athena0809 member
in Breastfeeding
For the past 2 day my LO has been cluster feeding all day long! I've read they have periods of cluster feeding but that it's usually at night or for a couple of hours, he's been eating every hour, every half hour even! and he's at the breast for an hour the time, I check to make sure he's not falling asleep, so I know it's active feeding, he'll be 30 min at each breast, fall asleep and wake up half an hour later just to repeat the cycle. My breasts are full and I can tell he empties them, so I don't think is a question of is he eating enough, then what is it? is this normal? I haven't slept in two days Crying I should mention prior to this 2 days he was falling into a pattern, every 2-2 1/2 hours, sleeping at least 2 full hours, only 15-30 min total combining both breast, so I know this is new.
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Re: cluster feeding and length

  • SSILVEIRASSILVEIRA

    imageSteph&Harry08:
    For the past 2 day my LO has been cluster feeding all day long! I've read they have periods of cluster feeding but that it's usually at night or for a couple of hours, he's been eating every hour, every half hour even! and he's at the breast for an hour the time, I check to make sure he's not falling asleep, so I know it's active feeding, he'll be 30 min at each breast, fall asleep and wake up half an hour later just to repeat the cycle. My breasts are full and I can tell he empties them, so I don't think is a question of is he eating enough, then what is it? is this normal? I haven't slept in two days Crying I should mention prior to this 2 days he was falling into a pattern, every 2-2 1/2 hours, sleeping at least 2 full hours, only 15-30 min total combining both breast, so I know this is new.

    DD has been eating like crazy the last few days.  Today she has eating every 1-2 hours.  Her first feeding at 8am was for 1 hour and 45 minutes, with an occassional burp and 1 diaper change.  Her other feeding today ranged from 30 mins to 1 hour. 

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  • mrs.vanderwallmrs.vanderwall member
    DD was like that sometimes when she was really little.  I would find myself totally dozing while she ate.  If you're comfortable, have you tried laying by her while nursing.  You can get a little shut eye, as long as you don't have any pillows or anything too close to you and the baby.  I did that sometimes while DH would sit up and watch TV.  At least it's some rest for you!  Hang in there.  It's really tough at first, but so awesome later :)

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  • cesehorncesehorn
    My LO is doing the same type of thing.  I did some laying down positions in bed this morning and it was great.  I decided that I didn't care if I monitored "active" eating or LO sleeping at breast -- yes I need that much sleep.  I'd essentially wake up every hour, make sure she didn't need a diaper change, and change sides.  I made sure there were no comfortors and put a pillow on the side of the bed she was on, in case she "rolled off", but she's only like 2 weeks old, so that wasn't really a concern of mine. 
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  • SSILVEIRASSILVEIRA

    imagecesehorn:
    My LO is doing the same type of thing.  I did some laying down positions in bed this morning and it was great.  I decided that I didn't care if I monitored "active" eating or LO sleeping at breast -- yes I need that much sleep.  I'd essentially wake up every hour, make sure she didn't need a diaper change, and change sides.  I made sure there were no comfortors and put a pillow on the side of the bed she was on, in case she "rolled off", but she's only like 2 weeks old, so that wasn't really a concern of mine. 

    Any tips on the side lying position?  I can't seem to do it? TIA

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  • sarahjulypsusarahjulypsu member

    It sounds like you are in a growth spurt. We went through that at 8-10 days and again around 6 weeks. It was tough but after each one I was rewarded with better sleeping at night! Good Luck and make sure to drink and eat plenty to keep up your energy . It should hopefully be over for you soon!

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  • MrsDLMrsDL member
    I'm not sure how long it lasts but the lactation consultant at the hospital told us that they cluster feed while milk is coming in and again at two weeks because the composition of the milk changes and the cluster feeding helps it along. Good luck - I'm just about at that point and dreading it.
     
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  • Athena0809Athena0809 member

    thank you all for your comments, it looks like it was growth spur because last night we eat every 2-3 hours woohoo!!!!! we got 1- 2 hours of sleep since midnight all through noon! I don't mind if we did that all day, but not sleeping for 2 straight days was taking a toll on me!

    I haven't tried laying down yet because he was destroying my nipples the first couple for days, and they are still healing so even though bf is more comfortable now, I still have to be careful or positioning, "sandwiching" my areola with my fingers for him and things like that, but so looking forward to being able to use lying down position!

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