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Round the clock cluster feeding

MommyMoruMommyMoru member
in Breastfeeding
My LO is at his 6 wk cluster feeding growth spurt. Yesterday he slept all day and last night was up every 1.5-2 hours nursing/feeding. Could barely sleep myself and it took him almost an hour to feed at one time so I got like maybe 1 hour of sleep in between. Then today he's been feeding nonstop all day. He took an hour nap and I was able to get 1.5 in because of having some help from my mother in law watching him. But as soon as I was up he was crying for more.

Any advice on how to get through this time? I'm trying not to go for a bottle because I know it'll mess things up even though we've been supplementing since the hospital. But I'm so tired and not sure how to get through this by myself again tonight if he goes full throttle again.
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Re: Round the clock cluster feeding

  • Melody330Melody330 member
    First of all - you are doing great! This is very very normal.

    Although it's probably against popular opinion, I would wake baby to eat during the day if they are going 3.5/4 hours of sleep. It's easy to get days and nights reversed if you let them sleep all they want during the day. Assuming baby is gaining well and no medical issues, I wouldn't wake to eat at all during the night.

    As for the seemingly never ending feedings - just give in. It's exhausting, but it won't last forever. It's what baby needs and it's good for your supply.
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    Cooper & Melody.     My Rescues <3
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  • whitney4126whitney4126 member
    Just hold on! Remember it will pass. I'm 4 months into EBFing and everytime we have a growth spurt or a funky few days of sleep, I think "this can't be normal" and "I just can't do this much longer." But then it passes and I get enough sleep to feel like myself again.
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  • harmonicbabe26harmonicbabe26 member
    My kid is 8wo and does that all the time and I'm a zombie. It started about 3 weeka ago and never stopped. The only thing I can tell you us use what helpers you have to rest. I have NO help, no mom or MIL or relatives to help and MH travels all week, week after week, plus I have a 3yo to care for too. So I an practically dead on my feet. Consider yourself lucky that you have MIL to help you and give you a break. Some people never get a break.
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  • MommyMoruMommyMoru member
    Thanks for the replies :) Once I finally got him down last night he slept 4.5 hours and woke himself up hungry and then slept again for another 3 before waking again. I'm hoping he'll do well during the day today but we shall see. This spurt has been rough, for sure. Last time he at least slept between feedings so I could rest.

    I'm very thankful I have my MIL here to help but she barely speaks English and only comes over when I ask her to. I'm not a big 'ask for help' person so it's hard for me but with LO I've gotten better about it because I realized I need help and sleep! Even if it's just one or two days a week it helps. I can't imagine not even having her around :0
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