SURVIVING CLUSTER FEEDING

If it seems like your baby is feeding every hour at night, it’s okay. Your newborn is just cluster feeding.

[{"selector":"#anim-df1862b2-b0d2-4da5-946c-825510b4cd63","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b4d63fcb-929b-4dd6-8808-453dfc0a1ed0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-180.32782%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Cluster feeding is not bad. In fact, most babies cluster feed in the evening. This is totally normal; in fact, it’s important to helping your little one grow. Read on for ways to get extra rest and manage it so you stay sane.

[{"selector":"#anim-3b9b813f-9f2c-45c4-8da9-294e4cf670d2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2f772bf3-296b-4811-b1c4-419e7699ad18","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 182.15852%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

What is Cluster Feeding?

[{"selector":"#anim-0740848d-32d8-4837-a0c7-a8e2a2ccd54a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8d3105c0-4dbf-47c0-a4fd-6a7ff058d991","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 432.51639%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

How to Cope With Cluster Feeding at Night

[{"selector":"#anim-45b6448d-287c-480f-8010-f04c78f14cea","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d7a69867-b322-4fc4-95ef-2f3edf07513f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":800,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Get help. While you’re likely the only one feeding your baby, you can get help in other parts of life. See if someone else can take care of the older siblings’ bedtimes while you nurse.

[{"selector":"#anim-49227ccf-2a50-4d77-9d78-6ceb7b41d02c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-87fe40c2-56ca-4b4a-b986-d7fcbec6ff3e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 326.37490%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Stay hydrated. Hydration is everything, especially when you’re nursing! You should always have a giant water bottle on hand.

[{"selector":"#anim-dd8c47f1-23dd-49d0-a6a1-93a4cc50653c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6c666f5b-ff31-4322-9d12-80e267df19d2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -362.33848%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Be Prepared. Set up a nursing station with your water, some snacks, a few burp cloths, and whatever else you may need.

[{"selector":"#anim-dea2c979-7b66-4874-b0d8-225829a49407","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ebf18d47-018b-4873-b41b-f5fba6e032f9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 374.98379%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

SURVIVING CLUSTER FEEDING

If it seems like your baby is feeding every hour at night, it’s okay. Your newborn is just cluster feeding.

Cluster feeding is not bad. In fact, most babies cluster feed in the evening. This is totally normal; in fact, it’s important to helping your little one grow. Read on for ways to get extra rest and manage it so you stay sane.

What is Cluster Feeding?

Cluster feeding is when your baby feeds almost constantly for a stretch of a few hours. You may feel like your little one is constantly on your boob.

How to Cope With Cluster Feeding at Night

Keep perspective. First, it is important to stay calm and realize that this is only a temporary phase.

Get help. While you’re likely the only one feeding your baby, you can get help in other parts of life. See if someone else can take care of the older siblings’ bedtimes while you nurse.

Stay hydrated. Hydration is everything, especially when you’re nursing! You should always have a giant water bottle on hand.

Be Prepared. Set up a nursing station with your water, some snacks, a few burp cloths, and whatever else you may need.

Swipe up for more tips

READ MORE

The Breastfeeding Mother’s Magic Number

Breastfeeding 101 Action Pack

10 Gentle Weaning Tips for Toddler Weaning