By Sr Teresa Hayward (RN, RM, Lactation consultant, Infant & Paediatric Nutritionist, Baby Sleep consultant)
Cluster feeding is a term that is used to describe your babies feeding behaviour. The best description of it is is when your baby is breastfeeding in a different pattern from their typical feeding pattern. It is when breastfeeding sessions are much shorter and more frequent, for 3-4hours of the day. It often happens during your baby’s fussy period of the day and once a day.
Cluster feeding is also sometimes called “comfort feeding”. A parents, we react to babies cries and feeding cues, so we naturally assume baby is hungry, and when we feed them , they should be satisfied. But some babies will snack or just use breast to fall asleep, and the do not take a full feed during their cluster feeding period. This is quite normal. Some babies will happily suck their dummy after nursing. This is because their tummies are fyll, but their want to suck for comfort and not for feeding of milk. Some will actually get cross when you try offer breast. Some babies will suck on breast, using non-nutritive sucking patterns, where they use only their mouth muscles and not jaw, for soothing only. During this period some babies will want to be held and snuggled, whilst other want to be carried or movement while sucking.
Cluster feeding can occur during growth spurts as well, but their generally will take in more milk during this time. It can also happen when baby is not feeling well, had vaccinations or is teething. And some babies don’t cluster feed at all.
When is cluster feeding considered normal:
· It happens after mom’s full milk supply is in, after birth
· It is during a limited time period of 3-4hrs in 24hrs, once a day
· Mom has adequate milk supply
· Baby is having plenty of dirty and wet nappies
· Baby is gaining weight
If you are concerned that you are not making enough milk, or baby is not getting enough milk, contact a lactation consultant for guidance
Do babies cluster feed before your milk comes in, in the 1st few days after birth? No! Breastfeeding babies do feed frequently, every 2-3hrs, but this is normal but different from cluster feeding.
When is frequent breastfeeding not normal
· A baby is breastfeeding non-stop of more often than 2hrs
· A baby cries unless they are breastfeeding and continues to exhibit hunger cues
· A baby who is jaundiced becomes lethargic or has tremors after long periods of nursing
· A baby who has a 4% weight loss on 1st 24hrs of lift or more than 10% weight loss in 1st 5 days
Babies who are nursing constantly or babies who nurse and are not satisfied and cry when removed from the breast, require an immediate assessment by a lactation consultant
Cluster feeding is defined as several short feeds close together, but moms are often being told that constant and prolonged feeds around the clock is cluster feeding. And this is where the confusion that can result in harm begins. There is a time when cluster feeding becomes a sure sign of insufficient milk supply or insufficient transfer of milk, and those signs need to be taken seriously. Moms are be given conflicting and incorrect advise from Doctors, nurses, clinic sister, family and friends, and as a result they become confused, frustrated, lose confidence and want to give up breastfeeding. It is so important that moms have a lactation consultant and are only taking advise from her.
There is no stronger maternal instinct than the one to feed your baby and protect them from harm. Mothers experience incredible emotional suffering when they are told that what they thought was just cluster feeding, in hindsight was a sign that they were not eating a sufficient amount, even when nursing for hours. They blame themselves rather than the health professionals, family and friends who were giving them the wrong advice.
As a Lactation consultant and infant feeding specialist, I am extremely passionate and dedicated to my moms and their breastfeeding journeys. Any moms can contact me for assistance with breastfeeding. A consult is an hour and is R400 but can also be submitted to certain medical aids. Contact me at 0824009501
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