Cluster Feeding

What is cluster feeding?

Cluster feeding refers to a pattern of breastfeeding (chestfeeding). It’s when your baby has several short feeds spaced closer together than you’d expect. For example, instead of nursing every three to four hours, your baby might nurse every hour.

Cluster feeding around the clock is normal during the first few days of your baby’s life. In older babies, more frequent feeds are normal at certain times of the day (like evenings) or when your baby needs comfort.

But beyond your baby’s first week, cluster feeding shouldn’t happen all day, every day. Constant cluster feeding may be a sign that something else is going on — like a temporary drop in your milk supply or issues with your baby’s latch.

If it seems like your baby needs to nurse frequently and there’s no clear reason, call your pediatrician. They’ll evaluate what’s going on and may recommend working with a lactation consultant or breastfeeding medicine specialist. These experts can help you to solve a wide range of issues related to milk supply, milk transfer, latch and more. Don’t feel discouraged or give up on breastfeeding. Setbacks are common, and help is available.

Why do babies cluster feed?

Babies cluster feed for lots of different reasons. Sometimes, cluster feeding is normal, expected behavior. Other times, it’s a sign of an underlying issue that might need treatment or management.

Reasons for normal cluster feeding

It’s normal for your baby to cluster feed when:

• Their tummy is still too small to hold a lot of milk.
• Your prolactin levels naturally drop (often later in the day)
• They need comfort.
• They’re going through certain developmental stages or a growth spurt.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these reasons.

Tiny tummy size

Your newborn’s stomach is super small and can only hold a little bit of milk at a time. So, they need to feed more often (possibly hourly) to get enough nourishment.

Within 24 hours of birth, your baby will likely take in only 2 to 10 milliliters (mL) of milk per feeding. (That’s much less than what you’d take in a dose of cough/cold syrup.) By around day three, your baby’s intake triples to about 1 ounce (29.5 mL) per feeding. And by the end of their first week, they can take in 1 to 2 ounces per feeding. So, their tummy fills up and you don’t need to do feedings as frequently.

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 your bloodstream naturally fluctuates throughout the day. This is normal and expected. Prolactin levels are usually lowest in the evening, causing a slight drop in your milk supply, in turn. So, your baby may cluster feed in the evening since they’re not getting as much milk per feeding.

Need for comfort

Breastfeeding provides your baby with necessary nutrients, but this act of closeness also offers them comfort. So, your baby may want to nurse more often than usual if they’re upset or feeling unwell.

Normal developmental changes

It’s normal for your baby to cluster feed when they’re going through certain stages and changes. For example:

• Around 4 to 6 months of age, babies become more aware of their surroundings and also more mobile. This means they have plenty of distractions all around them. It’s normal for your baby to nurse at one breast but then get distracted by sounds or activity going on around them. Since they didn’t fill up, they’ll want to nurse again an hour or so later.
• Some researchers theorize that babies cluster feed during growth spurts. We don’t have enough evidence to know for sure, but it’s possible your baby will feed more often during these times.

Factors unique to your baby

Every baby has unique needs. Your baby may cluster feed because they:

• Need to “catch up” to the normal growth for their age. For example, babies who have a low birth weight may need more frequent feeds to help them grow faster.
• Have been diagnosed with an underlying medical condition (like congenital heart disease) that causes them to have higher caloric needs.

In such situations, your pediatrician will tell you what you can expect and what’s “normal” based on your baby’s needs.

Cluster feeding as a red flag

Sometimes, all the reasons above can’t explain why your baby is cluster feeding. If that’s the case, it’s a good idea to call your pediatrician and talk about what you’re noticing. It’s possible that cluster feeding — particularly when it happens all day, every day — can be a sign of the following issues.

Delayed lactogenesis

This is the medical term for a delay in your milk “coming in,” or what providers call the second stage of milk production (lactation).

Normally, your body shifts from making colostrum (the first stage of milk production) to making transitional milk (a mix of colostrum and mature milk) by around 72 hours after birth. But many things can delay your milk coming in. Examples include:

• Certain health conditions, like obesity, diabetes or hypertension.
• Factors surrounding labor and delivery, like having preterm labor or a C-section.

A delay in your milk production can mean your baby isn’t getting enough milk per feeding. So, they need to feed more often as a result. By day four or five after birth, you should be nursing every two to three hours. More frequent feeds at this point may be a sign your baby isn’t filling up each time.

The good news is that delayed lactogenesis isn’t a forever problem. Your body just needs a little more time to ramp up milk production. In the meantime, your pediatrician may recommend supplementing with formula or donor milk.

Low milk production

Low milk production is when the amount of milk your body produces doesn’t meet your baby’s needs. It’s a common issue that has many possible causes. You might have a good supply at first but then it suddenly drops. If this happens, your baby may start feeding more frequently — all day long and for multiple days in a row. This is because they’re getting less milk at each feeding, and they’re hungry.

Providers tailor the treatment for low milk supply to its underlying cause. Your lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist will offer guidance based on your situation.

Improper latch

A latch is the way your baby attaches to your nipple and areola when nursing. If your baby isn’t latching on properly, they may not take in enough milk. Providers call this a transfer issue. Your body is making the milk, but it’s not getting where it needs to be (your baby’s mouth and, ultimately, tummy). As a result, your baby feeds more often than expected because they’re not filling up at each feeding.

An improper latch is a temporary and very solvable issue. Your lactation consultant or breastfeeding medicine specialist can work with you to find a comfortable breastfeeding position. This is key to getting a good latch. They’ll also teach you other strategies to help your baby latch on securely each time, while addressing any medical needs unique to your baby.

How long do babies cluster feed?

Cluster feeding starts the day your baby is born. This is normal and expected. They’ll need frequent feedings (every hour or so) to get enough nourishment. This early phase of cluster feeding ends as your baby’s stomach grows and your milk supply comes in. Generally, by the end of their first week, your baby shouldn’t be cluster feeding around the clock anymore.

But keep in mind that cluster feeding isn’t a one-and-done stage. As your baby grows, they may need more frequent feedings to support growth, provide comfort or meet other needs. Your pediatrician or lactation consultant can tell you more about what to expect based on your baby’s medical history and growth trajectory.

How do I know my baby is getting enough to eat?

The best way to know if your baby is getting enough milk is for a provider to evaluate their weight gain and compare it with the appropriate growth chart. Another way is for a lactation consultant or breastfeeding medicine specialist to observe as you feed your baby. They’ll listen for swallows and look for things like wide, long jaw movements. If you have concerns about your baby getting enough to eat, don’t hesitate to reach out to a provider.