Cluster Feeding: Understanding Symptoms, Causes and How to Cope

You may be experiencing a cluster feed if your infant seems to be nursing continuously at a specific time of day. Newborns already require regular feedings, often every two to three hours, though occasionally more frequently based on their requirements and the milk supply. However, cluster feeding differs from the typical breastfeeding sessions in appearance and feel. The simplest explanation for cluster feedings is that your infant is merely grouping several feedings together in a brief period of time, which means instead of one meal every few hours, your baby is snaking a lot!

However, eating a lot is only one aspect of cluster feeding. Cluster feeding is characterised by brief feedings followed by unlatching, fussing, increased nursing, hiccupping, burping and so on. Cluster feeding also applies if you have noticed that your infant is physically more attached to you in the late afternoon and evening. A cluster-feeding baby must remain near their milk source during this period.

What exactly is cluster feeding?

Cluster feeding refers to a pattern of breastfeeding. It occurs when your baby has several short feeds spaced closer together than you would expect. Throughout the first few days of your baby’s existence, cluster feeding is common. More frequent feedings are typical for older babies throughout specific times of the day or when the baby is in need of comfort. However, cluster feeding shouldn’t continue after the first week of life. An intermittent decrease in the milk supply or problems with the baby’s latch could be the cause of the persistent cluster feeding.  

Signs of cluster feeding

The common signs of cluster feeding you might see in infants include:

• Wiggling from side to side
• Moving hands and legs
• Rooting
• Opening their mouth as if to feed
• Fussing and making squeaky noises
• Intermittent crying
• Restlessness
• Screaming and high-pitched cry

Why do babies cluster feed? What is the reason behind it?

There are many different reasons why babies cluster feed. Cluster feeding might occasionally be considered a typical and expected habit. In other cases, it may indicate an underlying problem that requires management or therapy. Cluster feeding can result from a variety of factors, such as a small stomach or a need for comfort. This feeding regimen is typical for infants.  

The reasons for normal cluster feeding include:

• Tiny tummy size: As the newborn’s stomach is very small, it can only hold a small amount of milk at once. For them to receive adequate nutrition, they must feed more frequently, possibly hourly. Your infant will probably only consume two to ten millilitres of milk every feeding during the first 24 hours after delivery. Your baby’s intake triples to roughly 1 ounce every meal by the third day. Additionally, they can consume one to two ounces per meal by the end of the first week. As a result, their stomach gets fuller, and you don’t have to feed them as often.
• A natural drop in prolactin levels: Prolactin is a hormone that tells your body to secrete milk. When you’re nursing, the amount of prolactin in the bloodstream naturally fluctuates throughout the day. This is normal and expected. Prolactin levels are usually lowest in the evening, causing a slight drop in the milk supply. So, your baby may cluster feed in the evening since they are not getting as much milk per feeding.  
• Need for comfort: Breastfeeding gives infants the nutrition they need, but it also gives them comfort because of the intimacy. Therefore, if your baby is angry or feeling ill, they might desire to nurse more frequently than usual.  
• Normal development changes: It is normal for your baby to cluster feed when they are going through certain stages and changes. For example, babies become more mobile and more conscious of their surroundings between the ages of 4 to 6 months. This indicates that they are surrounded by a lot of distractions. It is common for your infants to nurse at one breast before becoming sidetracked by nearby noises or activities. They will want to breastfeed again in about an hour because they did not fill up.  
• Factors unique to your baby: Every infant has a unique need. They might need to catch up to the normal growth for their age. They might have been diagnosed with an underlying medical condition that causes them to have higher caloric needs.  
• Delayed lactogenesis: This is the medical term for a delay in milk from the breasts, which is lactation. Normally, the body changes from producing colostrum, the first stage of milk production, to making transitional milk by around 72 hours after birth. However, many factors can delay lactation, such as certain health conditions like obesity, diabetes or hypertension. Your infant may not receive enough milk at each meal if milk production is delayed. As a result, they must feed more frequently. You should be nursing every two to three hours by the fourth or fifth day after delivery. At this stage, more frequent feedings could indicate that your baby is not consistently filling up.  
• Low milk production: when your body doesn’t create enough milk to fill the baby’s stomach, it is known as low milk production. It is a prevalent problem with numerous potential causes. Initially, you may have a good supply of milk, but later on, it might decrease. This can lead to cluster feeding.  
• Improper latch: A latch is a way that your baby attaches to the nipples and areola when nursing. If it doesn’t latch on properly, they may not take in enough milk. It is a temporary issue and can be solved easily.  

How long do infants cluster feed?

On the day of the infant’s birth, cluster feeding begins. This is typical and anticipated. For them to receive adequate nutrition, they will require frequent feedings. As your baby’s stomach expands and your milk supply begins to flow, this initial stage of cluster feeding comes to an end. In general, your baby shouldn’t be cluster-feeding all the time by the end of the first week. However, remember that cluster feeding is a continuous process. Your baby may require more frequent feedings as they become older in order to support their development, soothe them or satisfy other requirements. Based on the baby’s growth trajectory and medical history, the lactation consultant provides you with more information about what to anticipate.  

Conclusion

To conclude, cluster feeding is a pattern of breastfeeding where infants feed many times within a short duration. This might happen due to many reasons and can be resolved as it is very normal for every infant born to go through.