Breastfeeding newborn ?

KittyFX · January 2012

DS is cluster feeding for a few hours every night around 5-1am. It's really a bad time for this as it is dinner time and bed time. But I see online it is common. In the mornings when I have the most milk he is more interested in sleeping. Does this just naturally work itself out or is there anything I can do to change this pattern? Is it too early to try to get him used to daylight and waking in the day? Does the cluster feeding just stop on it's own eventually? He is 2 weeks old as of yesterday. Any advice appreciated. Thanks!

bluestreet · January 2012

This was the same way with DD3. It did eventually work itself out, and I don't think you can do anything about it at this point except simplify your evenings as much as possible. We did lots of pizzas and hanging out on the couch watching Animal Planet in the evening the first 2 months. GL!

MrsAJL · January 2012

Does this just naturally work itself out or is there anything I can do to change this pattern? Generally, yes. It does work itself out. Have patience.

Is it too early to try to get him used to daylight and waking in the day? Yes it's too early. He is only 2 weeks old. Give it time. Have patience.

Does the cluster feeding just stop on it's own eventually? Yes and no. It'll pick up during growth spurts and they grow A LOT in the next 3 to 6 months. You'll have more periods of cluster feeding. Have patience.

KittyFX · January 2012

You make me feel so much better MrsAJL.Thanks.

Mrs.Purdue · January 2012

The other girls had great advice about the cluster feeding, but I wanted to chime in that I don't think it's ever too early to start teaching a baby about when is day and when it's night. For daytime, keep the house light - lights on, noise (tv, radio, whatever), lively. For anything bedtime or later, keep it dark and quiet. For night time feedings (after a general 'bedtime'), I didn't talk, didn't turn on lights (had a hallway light on and her door open during the feed so that I could see enough), etc. We started that from the get-go and she never had day-night confusion. We've also had an excellent sleeper (besides a few isolated weeks) and I think that has helped.

Chris&Jillshow · January 2012

I echo Mrs Purdue's advice, keeping it light and active during the day and dark and quiet in the evening. I also tried to take her out of the house during the day, everyday, in the sunlight. Even if sitting out on the front porch was as far as we got, we did this everyday from the beginning. There seemed to me to be no rhyme or reason to her cluster feedings. She was on a pretty regular 2-3 hour feeding routine and then some nights she'd eat every hour from 5-11. It doesn't last long though and you will survive!!

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KittyFX · January 2012

I will try making more of an effort on the day- night thing. I haven't been doing anything so far. But as I've read online, sounds like cluster feedings are just par for the course and as MrsAJL pointed out, all I can do is be patient. Funny, that is what I keep telling my 2 year old and my 2 week old. I guess lack of patience runs in the family.

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