What is your experience of cluster feeding?

[Whitney101]

DT are 5 weeks now and doing what I would describe as cluster feeding. For about two hours (at least, usually a bit longer) every day, sometimes twice a day, they just feed constantly. They’ll feed for five minutes then have a two minute break and then start fussing for more.

I am really questioning my supply / their latch / whatever. Even though I’m fully aware of cluster feeding and vaguely remember doing it with my 3YO. I am panicking that maybe they’re not getting enough.

I only ask because google has lead me to believe that “cluster feeding” refers to feeding every hour, as opposed to this constant feeding.

What are your experiences? Does my current experience sound familiar at all?

My DS is 6 weeks and has gone through a few cluster feeding phases already, and has just wanted to feed constantly during the day. Completely unable to put him down he just wants to be feeding always, will fall asleep on me, then wake up if I put him down, or cry if anyone else holds him whilst he’s in that cluster phase. The midwives said it’s fine and I definitely don’t have a problem with milk supply.

With my first she fed almost none stop for 5 hours every night. 5-10pm. With my second he has been more like you describe feeding on and off over the course of a few hours.
I've actually found breastfeeding harder the second time round as I think I was expecting it to be the same and it's not. They are all so different.

Is it worth asking health visitor to check your latch just to double check everything is ok?

Thanks @WaltzingWaters that sounds exactly similar! Fall asleep, seem happy, but wants more as soon as I put them down. So glad to hear to the midwives said all is OK. I don’t see anyone now for a couple of weeks so had no one to check with, but was debating finding a BF group to take them to.

I've actually found breastfeeding harder the second time round as I think I was expecting it to be the same and it's not. Same! Well, it was never going to be the same as I have two this time. But same sentiment. For instance, my son used to fall sound asleep BF whereas it doesn’t seem to knock these two out quite the same. They will wake as soon as I put them down.

Reassuring to hear that cluster feeding lasted for five hours @Cominghome1230… and that you survived it!

My son pretty much fed constantly for the first 3 months of his life. Our longest feed record was only 4 hours though - 30min on each side from 8pm to midnight.

As long as they're gaining weight they must be getting enough. It's a long haul, but it does pass eventually!

my first fed for hours and hours barely slept- I binged line of duty- hob nobs and juice next to me at all times.

For about two weeks from 2 weeks old to 4 weeks mine was on the boob from 6pm to 6am constantly. It was hell and I would cry multiple times. It was so lonely although we would go to the pub at 6 and I fed there for a few hours just so I had a change of scenery and saw my family.