Cluster feeding

kristanbarker · October 2015

Ladies, who else's new born is cluster feeding? My little guy is 9 days old and he eats 5 mins at a time almost every hour. I'm exhausted. They said they do this to bring the milk in but milk has been in since day 4. How long does this last? How do I brake this habit? They still want me feeding on demand. I'm just worried that weeks down the road he will be on a schedule of eating every hour.

nianicho777 · October 2015

My baby did this for the first few week and a half or so. I don't think you can break the habit and probably shouldn't. He's hungry so he should eat. They'll do this during growth spurts too. My little guy is 3 weeks tomorrow and started up again at the 2 week growth spurt as well. Joys of breastfeeding ::-).

tracij12 · October 2015

No advice but just wanted to offer support. I'm on week 5 with my second baby and have never experienced cluster feeding, but from what I've read/heard it usually doesn't create a long term pattern.

Lbloom · October 2015

He's probably just going through a growth spurt. They have several of these in the first few months. Mine is going through one too and is 12 days old. They will never be growing this fast again so they are just hungry, don't worry about habits being formed right now.

satori15 · October 2015

Mine tends to cluster feed every couple of days. It does calm down as they get older. They are establishing our milk supply since they need more as they grow. My little girl is a chunky monkey and really needs to nurse frequently so I do my best to go with it and make sure her other needs (diapers, burping, snuggles, attention, etc) are also being met. Make sure your baby is staying awake for daytime feedings and getting as much as possible each time. Sometimes they get into a habit of pacifying and falling asleep at the breast so they aren't getting a full meal. Then they wake up hungry again, snack, and go back to sleep. If you're still having trouble talk to a lactation consultant.

valerierose15 · October 2015

Cluster feeding is totally normal. Your baby is doing what he needs to do to eat and grow.

My son did that when we was two weeks and has been doing it all day today (4 weeks). Grab some snacks, water and relax. Now would be a perfect time to catch up on some movies!

Cluster feeding doesn't turn into a bad habit or cause problems in the future.

hbrooks09 · October 2015

My little girl is cluster feeding now as well. She's 12 days old. I feel your pain lol she feeds in 5-7 minute intervals back to back. Just part of the wonderful world of motherhood and breastfeeding :P

midge519 · October 2015

My newborn is doing this now at not even a day old. He clusterfed last night from 1am-330am. I was exhausted. Cluster feeding is the worst part of breastfeeding IMO. the cluster feeding is to increase your supply because they need more. It'll get better :-)

ems028 · October 2015

My LO cluster fed for what seemed like the first 3 weeks solid. Also she cluster feeds if she is gassy -I think being close to me comforts her. The longest she has cluster fed so far is 12 hours (more maybe..I lost track of the time and my mind during that session)

Everyone says it's normal. So I will just go with baby's flow.

However, this is not how I thought breastfeeding was haha...it has been a shock shock to say the least.

kristanbarker · October 2015

Thanks everyone! He's 10 days old and still going at it.

Has anyone had their little one projectile vomit after a feeding? We fed and then I gave him his vitamin D drops, passed out, we walked to the living room and it went everywhere, out his nose even. I feel terrible. His temp was 98.5, but normally he is at a high 97. I'm a little worried but hub says he was probably just too full. Any ideas?

erinboehme · October 2015

I'm going with probably too full.

Louisl · October 2015

Only 5 minutes each hour? Mine eats 25 mins on each side every hour and a half!

meganraschke · October 2015

Mine did that a couple of times. My pediatrician said that it's only a problem if they projectile vomit after every feed. If it's once in a while they are either too full, or had a burp that sent it all out

hspangler12 · October 2015

Could it be that your baby is using you as a pacifier? My daughter was doing that, and was spitting up a lot because her belly couldn't handle all the milk. I had a lactation consultant tell me that they often over eat and to them they communicate they are still hungry even after getting a full belly because an upset belly makes them want to suck on something. It's soothing to them. So I was encouraged to feed until I feel she's satisfied,emptying Breast, before she's spitting up, then give her a pacifier and see if that satisfies her. So far I've learned that her maximum time to feed is about 20mins anything longer she spits up. (She's only 6lbs 4oz that could make a difference) good luck! I have to say many people will say you can't over feed a breast fed baby because they only eat when they are truely hungry, but in my experience with both my kids they over eat! Lactation consultants have agreed with me too. Breastfeeding can be so hard!

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