Become a contributor and register to submit your story!
  • Login
  • Register
No Result
View All Result

No products in the cart.

Boobingit
  • Mama Stories
  • Breastfeeding and…
    • All
    • Being prepared
    • Covid19
    • Doing it longterm
    • Products + Reviews
    • Returning to work
    • Self-care
    • Showbiz
    • Sleep
    • Style
    • Support
    • The benefits
    • The challenges
    Celebrity breastfeeding moments May 2023 - Devon Windsor

    5 of the best celebrity breastfeeding moments from May 2023

    Dr Sharon Silberstein

    Ep. 39: Induced lactation with Dr Sharon Silberstein

    postnatal doulas are not just for the rich and famous

    Why postnatal doulas aren’t just for the rich and famous

    Lisa Conn breastfeeding CEO

    Why a viral post of a CEO breastfeeding her daughter matters in 2023

    These mamas breastfed in the coolest places ever

    These mamas breastfed in the coolest places ever

    Image showing front of plane

    Inside the fight to allow flight attendants and pilots to pump breast milk at 30,000 feet

    Trending Tags

    • breastfeeding
    • covid vaccine and breastfeeding
    • breastfeeding and Covid19
    • Hypnobirthing and breastfeeding
    • boobingit podcast
    • Latched breastfeeding bra
    • breastfeeding support
    • diy breast milk soap
    • Sleep
    • Covid19
    • Being prepared
    • Returning to work
    • Self-care
    • Showbiz
    • Style
    • The benefits
    • The challenges
    • Doing it longterm
  • Resources
    • Guides
      • Breastfeeding after giving birth
      • Breastfeeding after a c-section
      • Breastfeeding a baby in NICU
      • Breastfeeding the unsettled baby
      • Breastfeeding and Down Syndrome
      • Breastfeeding positions
      • Responsive feeding
      • Breastfeeding and teething
      • Breastfeeding in public
      • Breastfeeding at Christmas
      • Breastfeeding multiples
      • Expressing milk
      • Breast refusal
      • Bottle refusal
      • Tongue Tie in babies
      • Mastitis
      • Milk donation
      • Relactation and Induced Lactation
      • Breast milk soap
      • Babywearing
      • Weaning a nursing child
      • Transitioning baby to solid foods
    • A-Z Glossary
  • The Podcast
  • Contributors
  • Shop
    • Baby & Breastfeeding Essentials
    • Boobingit Merch
  • Buy Our Book
  • Mama Stories
  • Breastfeeding and…
    • All
    • Being prepared
    • Covid19
    • Doing it longterm
    • Products + Reviews
    • Returning to work
    • Self-care
    • Showbiz
    • Sleep
    • Style
    • Support
    • The benefits
    • The challenges
    Celebrity breastfeeding moments May 2023 - Devon Windsor

    5 of the best celebrity breastfeeding moments from May 2023

    Dr Sharon Silberstein

    Ep. 39: Induced lactation with Dr Sharon Silberstein

    postnatal doulas are not just for the rich and famous

    Why postnatal doulas aren’t just for the rich and famous

    Lisa Conn breastfeeding CEO

    Why a viral post of a CEO breastfeeding her daughter matters in 2023

    These mamas breastfed in the coolest places ever

    These mamas breastfed in the coolest places ever

    Image showing front of plane

    Inside the fight to allow flight attendants and pilots to pump breast milk at 30,000 feet

    Trending Tags

    • breastfeeding
    • covid vaccine and breastfeeding
    • breastfeeding and Covid19
    • Hypnobirthing and breastfeeding
    • boobingit podcast
    • Latched breastfeeding bra
    • breastfeeding support
    • diy breast milk soap
    • Sleep
    • Covid19
    • Being prepared
    • Returning to work
    • Self-care
    • Showbiz
    • Style
    • The benefits
    • The challenges
    • Doing it longterm
  • Resources
    • Guides
      • Breastfeeding after giving birth
      • Breastfeeding after a c-section
      • Breastfeeding a baby in NICU
      • Breastfeeding the unsettled baby
      • Breastfeeding and Down Syndrome
      • Breastfeeding positions
      • Responsive feeding
      • Breastfeeding and teething
      • Breastfeeding in public
      • Breastfeeding at Christmas
      • Breastfeeding multiples
      • Expressing milk
      • Breast refusal
      • Bottle refusal
      • Tongue Tie in babies
      • Mastitis
      • Milk donation
      • Relactation and Induced Lactation
      • Breast milk soap
      • Babywearing
      • Weaning a nursing child
      • Transitioning baby to solid foods
    • A-Z Glossary
  • The Podcast
  • Contributors
  • Shop
    • Baby & Breastfeeding Essentials
    • Boobingit Merch
  • Buy Our Book
  • Login
  • Register
No Result
View All Result

No products in the cart.

Boobingit
No Result
View All Result
Home Breastfeeding And... The challenges

Help! My baby is cluster feeding and I don’t know how to cope.

When constant feeding sessions take over your life, it can be hard to cope but here are some tips to help.

Ruth by Ruth
September 17, 2020
in Breastfeeding And..., The challenges
0

A​h, cluster feeding – that thing no one warns you about in antenatal class. It’s the thing you discover for yourself at 2 am when you’re frantically searching the internet as to why the hell your baby hasn’t come off the boob ALL NIGHT LONG. And then when you bring it up in your breastfeeding support group everyone says that “it’s totally normal behaviour!”. Ahem, really?!

Cluster feeding, what is it?

In the very early days of breastfeeding, feeding sessions can sometimes feel relentless and you may begin to wonder what you signed up for! Sometimes you may feel your baby has only just stopped feeding when they cry out for just a short time later. This is what’s known as cluster feeding. Basically it happens when your baby is going through a very hungry phase, growing like a weed and looking for constant nourishment (and comfort from you). 

In the very early days of breastfeeding, feeding sessions can sometimes feel relentless and you may begin to wonder what you signed up for!

For many women cluster feeding tends to strike in the evening time, with baby keen to feed all evening and through the night. This behaviour can last for a few days or even a few weeks – making for some very tired mamas!

Mother feeding baby with breast
  • What you’re experiencing: Constant feeding sessions where baby seems to be attached to the breast non-stop, particularly during the night
  • What can cause it: A growth spurt in baby. Nature’s way of increasing your milk supply!
  • What you can do to manage: Eat and drink plenty to keep your energy up during frequent feeding sessions.

49% of breastfeeding mamas find cluster feeding a challenge

When boobingit surveyed 100 women about the challenges they faced when breastfeeding, 49% of breastfeeding mamas reported it was a challenge they faced in their breastfeeding journey. Whilst cluster feeding is actually a perfectly normal behaviour for newborns, it can knock breastfeeding mamas off their feet!

But know that it doesn’t last and find comfort in the fact that all this feeding is doing wonders for your milk supply. Just make sure to eat and drink plenty during this time in order to keep your energy up. Now’s also the time to binge watch that show you’ve heard such good things about!

Woman sleeping with sleep mask.

7 tips on how to cope during constant feeding sessions

Cluster feeding can happen in bouts of a few days or weeks, but rest assured it won’t last forever! Here are some tips to get you through those long feeding sessions.

1. Trust that your baby needs your milk and don’t worry that there is something wrong or that you may be over-feeding them.
2. Make sure you have somewhere really comfortable and relaxing to feed baby as those lengthy feeding sessions can mean you are sitting/lying down for long periods of time.
3. Keep your energy levels up by eating and drinking plenty throughout the day (and night!). This is not the time to limit your calorie intake or go long periods without food.
4. Have a little breastfeeding box beside you to keep snacks, your phone, nappies etc so you have everything close to hand when you want it.
5. Take the opportunity to catch up on some tv, read a book, listen to a podcast, or message your nearest and dearest.
6. Don’t be afraid to have a cry when it all gets too much because we know how emotionally and physically demanding cluster feeding can be on mamas.
7. Tell yourself it won’t last forever and that this is the excuse you need to sit down and rest with your baby.

Signup for free

Signup for the latest breastfeeding information & inspiration

Signup for free

Tags: baby won't stop breastfeedingcluster feedingconstant breastfeeding
ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

Breastfeeding 6 weeks in – it takes a village, but my village are socially distancing!

Next Post

The boobingit podcast…coming soon!

Ruth

Ruth

Mama of two. Breastfeeding Peer Supporter. Founder of boobingit.com. When not at home working or mothering I'll likely be out thrifting or grabbing a sneaky coffee and sweet treat.

Related Posts

Celebrity breastfeeding moments May 2023 - Devon Windsor
Showbiz

5 of the best celebrity breastfeeding moments from May 2023

May 30, 2023
Dr Sharon Silberstein
The Podcast

Ep. 39: Induced lactation with Dr Sharon Silberstein

May 25, 2023
postnatal doulas are not just for the rich and famous
Support

Why postnatal doulas aren’t just for the rich and famous

May 24, 2023
Lisa Conn breastfeeding CEO
Returning to work

Why a viral post of a CEO breastfeeding her daughter matters in 2023

May 22, 2023
These mamas breastfed in the coolest places ever
Mama Stories

These mamas breastfed in the coolest places ever

May 18, 2023
Image showing front of plane
Returning to work

Inside the fight to allow flight attendants and pilots to pump breast milk at 30,000 feet

May 16, 2023
Next Post
Two Thumbs Up! ( confident woman )

The boobingit podcast...coming soon!

Please login to join discussion

Recommended

Celebrity breastfeeding moments May 2023 - Devon Windsor

5 of the best celebrity breastfeeding moments from May 2023

8 mins ago
Dr Sharon Silberstein

Ep. 39: Induced lactation with Dr Sharon Silberstein

5 days ago

Become a boobingit member today. It's FREE!

Sign up today for the latest breastfeeding information & inspiration.

Sign Up Now!

Trending

Beautiful couple being romantic and passionate in bed

Let’s talk about Sex and Breastfeeding

January 10, 2023
celebrity breastfeeding photos 2022

8 celebrity breastfeeding moments that broke the internet in 2022

December 29, 2022
Weaning a nursing child from the breast or chest 

Weaning a nursing child from the breast or chest 

January 5, 2023
Boobingit

Boobingit is here to inform, inspire, and empower you as you navigate your own unique breastfeeding journey.

Follow Boobingit on social

Be part of boobingit.com

Become a Partner

Become a Contributor

  • About boobingit
  • Shop
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2020, Boobingit - for breastfeeders everywhere.

  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Cart
No Result
View All Result
  • Mama Stories
  • Breastfeeding and…
    • Sleep
    • Covid19
    • Being prepared
    • Returning to work
    • Self-care
    • Showbiz
    • Style
    • The benefits
    • The challenges
    • Doing it longterm
  • Resources
    • Guides
      • Breastfeeding after giving birth
      • Breastfeeding after a c-section
      • Breastfeeding a baby in NICU
      • Breastfeeding the unsettled baby
      • Breastfeeding and Down Syndrome
      • Breastfeeding positions
      • Responsive feeding
      • Breastfeeding and teething
      • Breastfeeding in public
      • Breastfeeding at Christmas
      • Breastfeeding multiples
      • Expressing milk
      • Breast refusal
      • Bottle refusal
      • Tongue Tie in babies
      • Mastitis
      • Milk donation
      • Relactation and Induced Lactation
      • Breast milk soap
      • Babywearing
      • Weaning a nursing child
      • Transitioning baby to solid foods
    • A-Z Glossary
  • The Podcast
  • Contributors
  • Shop
    • Baby & Breastfeeding Essentials
    • Boobingit Merch
  • Buy Our Book

Sign up today to become a contributor and share your story!
Sign up now!

Copyright © 2020, Boobingit - for breastfeeders everywhere.

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Facebook
Sign In with Google
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create a boobingit account!

Sign Up with Facebook
Sign Up with Google
OR

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Breastfeeding for Beginners – Latches, letdowns & leaky boobs

Out Now!

Shop Now

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?