9wk old still clusterfeeds all evening; do I need to supplement? :-(

[mistressploppy]

Ds2 feeds every 2-3hrs in the day, which is fine, but I CANNOT get him down before 9pm because he wants to be on the boob constantly from about 6pm. He's ebf and I didn't think I had a supply problem but I'm starting to wonder. Shouldn't the evening cluster feeding have stopped by now? Will I ever have an evening again? My poor 2yo is getting short shrift at bedtime too

Hope you get some good advice, but just to let you know that my eldest was formula fed, and cluster fed from 4pm to 10pm until he was 13 weeks.

Ds1 cluster fed till around 4 months - plus side his sleep was great. Ds2 cluster fed for only a couple of months and was a shite sleeper. I'd stick the baby on the boob when ds1 in bath, take break then on again for bedtime stories for ds1

Actually, that makes me feel a bit better; thanks

And you Dinky

Completely normal. My DD cluster fed in the evenings til she was about 3/4 months. This is a good thing for your supply as the more she feeds the more milk you'll produce. You produce more of the hormone that does this in the evening/night so it's good that your baby does this. As long as your DD seems happy, don't worry. Hth.

Sorry I've just realised I've been saying DD instead of DS!

Still very young I'd say. DD2 (also exclusively bf) cluster fed until about 4m (tho' the end of the cluster gradually crept earlier) but on the plus side, once she was asleep she stayed that way until 6am. I used to pop DS1 in bath, get DD2 on for a quick slurp then detach her for long enough to do rapid story then get DS1 into bed very fast and then resign myself to sitting propped up in DD2's room with the ipod on until she'd had enough. DS1 (now 6, 3 then) doesn't remember the couple of months his story was a bit perfunctory at bed time and we made up for it in the day

My DD (now 8mo) cluster fed in the evenings until she was around 13 or 14 weeks. She went from going to bed around midnight, gradually earlier and earlier to 7.30 / 8pm. We didn't supplement with formula, and still bf without problems. I'd say it's completely normal.

Both mine cluster-fed until about 12 weeks, and then fell naturally (and almost overnight) into four-hour feeds. Not long to go :)

Yes, I remember this too. In fact, I remember 5 hour feeds and fearinf that she wasn't getting enough food. She's now a big and healthy kid. you're doing really well, and it WILL get better.

Both of our ds's did the same until they were nearer 4 months old.

Stick at it, it does wonders for your supply even though it's hard work

xx

I am feeding DD2 (also 9 weeks, ebf) at the moment. I started at 1800 and have only paused for about twenty minutes while she lay on her playmat and I dashed around tidying up. The average is 3 or 4 hrs each evening, starting as soon as I manage to rustle DD1 onto bed.
It is sooo boring and I am getting fat sat on my arse eating biscuits and watching TV for hours and hours. I try to persuade myself it means she sleeps better at night but that is so variable, anything from 2 hr to 5 hr stints (once 7 hrs ). I think I'll try feeding her more in the day but it is hard with DD1.
OP I feel your pain and will watch this thread with interest!

My 6 month old still clusterfeeds in the evening - bit worried that's odd now!

Mine clusterfed in the evenings at that age but gradually the feeding time got shorter and shorter till it just became a normal feed. He's 17 weeks old now and that happened a few weeks ago, so you mightn't have long to go.

Mine have always cluster fed for months. By the time we got to DD3 we learnt not to try and 'fight' it but just go with it so DD3 stayed up with us until we went to bed at 10pm until she was about 9m - it was so much easier having her snuggle with me or DH, nap in her bouncer, bf when she wanted than me traipse up and down the stairs all evening.

Ooh, he fell asleep at 8.30pm this evening so we are getting earlier...