What is a cluster feeding baby?

You’ve probably heard of this expression about newborn babies who are being breastfed, especially during the first weeks of their life when a change in their eating behavior occurs.

Cluster feeding is when newborns start eating in clusters, with short and frequent intervals spread over time. This period usually lasts for about two hours, and it tends to happen in the evenings, although cluster feeding at night is also a common (and stressful) phenomenon.

Many new moms worry about this change in their baby’s behavior and ask themselves if there’s anything wrong with their milk supply or whether they should indulge their baby’s demands. Unfortunately, there are still no proven scientific reasons why babies cluster feed, but here’s everything you should know about this phenomenon.

How It Works

So, when does it all start? Cluster feeding ages might vary, but most babies show this change in their eating behavior around the first days or weeks after birth.

Often, it goes together with better sleeping patterns, so it’s believed that whenever they start sleeping through the night, they start to cluster feed in the evening to stock up. Sometimes it happens in later stages because of growth spurts or teething.

Also, researchers believe that cluster feeding doesn’t mean that the quality of the milk supply isn’t good enough. It’s believed to be normal behavior, although you always have to check in with the pediatrician in case your baby:

• is not gaining weight

• is not producing wet and dirty diapers

• is not at ease after feeding

Benefits And Downsides

Cluster-feeding newborn babies has been proven to benefit both the baby and the mom.

As we explained before, this behavior is often linked with better sleeping patterns, so the baby might sleep longer after cluster feeding. It also helps meet your baby’s needs in terms of calorie and nutrient intake.

But the cluster feeding ages can be beneficial for the mom too. Experts recommend breastfeeding as often as possible to boost your milk supply, so cluster-feeding newborn babies do the most efficient thing instinctively.

However, meeting your cluster-feeding baby needs can be challenging. There might be some downsides for you, such as nipple pain or fatigue due to the demanding nature of your baby's phase. Also, as we already mentioned, cluster feeding at night is common and exhausting.

Is It Okay To Cluster Feed?

When dealing with this change in our newborn baby’s eating behavior, we might question whether we should go along with their cluster feeding demands.

The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend feeding on-demand breastfeeding until two years of age. That is, following your baby’s needs, whether it’s day or night. Plenty of research supports the belief that it better helps your baby’s growth and health than other patterns.

For that reason, cluster-feeding newborn babies should be encouraged. Although science still doesn’t have an answer as to why it happens, there’s no sign that there’s anything wrong with it, and it is believed that babies can regulate their own nutritional needs.

If you’re struggling to cope with this change, here are a few tips that can help you:

• Provide a relaxing or entertaining atmosphere for yourself to avoid stress.

• Keep yourself nourished and hydrated.

• Lean on your partner or someone close who can take care of the baby during breaks.

• Remember that this situation is not permanent and that it’ll be healthier in the long run.

If cluster feeding is too tiresome or stressful for you, do not hesitate to seek help from a lactation consultant.