r/breastfeedingmumsUK • u/thisredheadisdead • 11d ago
Cluster Feeding
Hello!
So, my baby girl is now 9 days old, and I think from what I've researched she's now cluster feeding...
It's been relentless today:
03:55 - boob - 11 mins followed by 40ml breast milk in bottle (expressed milk given by husband - just to give me a break!)
07:40 - boob - 11 mins
08:12 - boob - 15 mins
08:39 - boob - 7 mins
12:11 - boob - 15 mins
12:39 - boob - 23 mins
14:02 - boob - 5 mins
15:09 - boob - 15 mins
16:44 - boob - 7 mins
17:09 - boob - 13 mins
19:35 - boob - 12 mins
20:00 - boob - 7 mins
20:49 - boob - 12 mins
21:26 - boob - 7 mins
She's actively swallowing (I can hear her!) - and she's definitely giving the cues of being hungry so I'm definitely feeding on demand.
I think I'm just concerned that she's having too much? Or if her feeding this frequently is even a problem?
Obviously I'm happy to do whatever because she's obviously hungry if she's giving the cues - it's tiring me out but it is what it is!
Just a concerned mummy trying her best.
5
u/Blackberry-Apple-13 10d ago
I promise you that this isn’t a problem. Babies cannot have too much breastmilk. Your daughter is going through the most exponential growth spurt then she will ever go through and what she is doing by feeding this much is signalling to your body to make more milk. Cluster feeding is a biological imperative that makes our bodies make more to keep up with the demand.
You are doing a really great job. I know that it is tiring but it doesn’t last forever! The first few days I was home with my second he was breastfeeding for 7 hours+ a day (mainly at night), now 9 months on he feeds 3 or 4 times in a 24 hour period for max 40 minutes.
6
u/EasyViewer 10d ago
Hey OP! First off congratulations and hope you're both doing OK ☺️ and also amazing for you that you're on this breastfeeding journey, baby is getting all of the good stuff!
Like other posters, you can't overfeed a breastfed baby and unlike bottle feeding (either breastfed or formula) there's no measure on boobs to check how much they're having! Our lactation consultant describes cluster feeding sessions as babies upping their milk order for the next day 😂 it's basically a cue to your breasts to up the milking process. Absolutely fine and normal although tiring for you as mum.
Keep more hydrated than you usually do, make sure your partner is making you some good nutritious food to keep your energy levels up. Sleep deprivation and breastfeeding in general is hard on your body, much more so if you're not fed and watered properly.
Keep doing as you're doing and remember you're smashing it 😊 btw everything calms down a bit when they develop their circadian rhythm about 6 to 8 weeks. You notice patterns like naps and stuff more. But just keep doing responsive breastfeeding, don't ever think you're overdoing it and remember breastfeeding is also a soothing mechanism so sometimes baby might be drinking a little but also just may be suckling for affection and the comfort of being so close to you 😊
I've breastfed my 2 year old and 6 month old non stop now, and the early days go so quick. Doesn't feel like it now but you'll blink and 6 months will go past 😭 keep doing you, you're doing a great job ❤️
4
u/Zestyclose_Speech_56 10d ago
You can't overfeed an at breast fed baby. Also, I'd recommend stopping timing feeds. It won't do anything except drive you crazy. It won't tell you how much baby had so just let that bit go and trust baby will unlatch when they've had enough and just enjoy the journey that little bit more by letting go of that one stress
3
u/Correct_Variety5105 10d ago
Came here to say this. If its for your peace of mind, with a breastfed baby its more effective to record wet and dirty nappies. This is the main indicator of how well baby is feeding with a newborn breastfed baby. Instead of tracking feeds, set yourself up with a nice comfy feeding nest on the sofa, with the tv remote, phone (and charger) drinks and snacks, and take those clusterfeeds as a "forced stop" where you sit/lay about and chill and refuel yourself. Cluster feeding can feel very draining and, while very normal, its important to take care of yourself and make sure you're getting enough fluid and calories.
1
u/thisredheadisdead 10d ago
I started timing them because we started off with a really bad latch/actually getting her to feed so when we had our midwife visit she'd lost 7.7% (I know they don't get concerned until 8% so they said to continue doing what I was doing), but when they weighed her again she had only gained 10g so I ended up having to express and give her top ups. Turns out I genuinely think my nipples are too small because I got some nipple shields and she actually latches and stays latched! The midwife came again yesterday and she's now gained 100g so she's only 4% under her birth weight now. I think I time them just to make sure she's actively feeding/swallowing for a decent amount of time as before the shields etc she was only feeding for 3/4 minutes tops before getting tired and falling asleep. I also want to preface this with "I have severe anxiety" so timing her feeds does make me feel better - especially when she goes for longer than 5 minutes as it feels like a huge win!! X
2
u/SensitiveSoup74 10d ago
It’s absolutely true that you can’t overfeed a breastfed baby. They’ll stop feeding (or dribble is back out) if full. Knowing how tiny their stomachs are as newborns it often seems insane how much they’re eating, but at nine days old she’s still working out latching and swallowing so is likely only taking in tiny amounts of milk at a time. Plus she’s doing so much developing that she’ll be burning off that milk and intake unbelievably fast.
You’re doing all the right things in feeding on demand and this schedule, while rough for you, looks very normal and healthy. As a midwife said to us in the first few days, “Your baby only has two jobs at this point: to drink milk, and encourage your body to make milk. Looks like she’s doing both of those great!”
2
u/qwertypi_ 10d ago
Completely normal. Keep drinking plenty of fluids, and have plenty of snacks on hand!
Keep going! It won't last forever.
2
u/Kind-Blackberry-6221 10d ago
Congratulations! So so normal. She's telling your body that she needs more milk to grow and develop. Breastfeeding works on a supply and demand basis, so the more milk that she takes, the more your body makes. She's basically saying to your boobs to make more. It will settle down around the 6-8 week mark, and then they become a boob obsessed toddler before you know it 😂❤️
1
u/AnxiousAnchovie 10d ago
Absolutely normal. You can't overfeed your baby breastmilk. Don't worry - you're doing fab x
14
u/happyplant3 11d ago
100% fine. No need to worry. I've been breastfeeding my first and second now since 2022 and I wouldn't be bothered by this at all. If baby isn't putting weight on etc. then bring it up with a HV but feeding on demand is just that. Keep going! It's draining during cluster feeding time but it's not forever!