Do babies on formula cluster feed
Cluster Feeding Your Newborn: Helpful Tips
If you’re breastfeeding, you might find that your little one sometimes keeps you busier than usual from time to time. Occasional sudden increases in the frequency of feeds, usually caused by growth spurts, are sometimes known as cluster feeding.
Cluster feeding affects breastfeeding moms in particular; however, formula-fed babies can also feed more frequently at certain stages of development.
Why do babies cluster feed? When does cluster feeding start? When might it end? What’s the best way to cope with a cluster-feeding baby? Keep reading for the answers to these questions and more.
What Is Cluster Feeding?
Cluster feeding is a term used to describe when a breastfed baby wants to be fed more often than usual at certain times of the day.
Every baby is different, so it’s difficult to define precisely when normal feeding crosses the line to become cluster feeding. As a breastfeeding mom, what you’ll notice is a marked increase in the number of feeds compared to what’s been normal so far.
But what does normal even mean, given that the frequency of your little one’s feeds tends to change anyway as your little one grows?
Well, right after birth, your newborn baby’s stomach is still very small, so in the first few days it’s normal for your little one to eat very often — perhaps every one to three hours — to get all the nutrients she needs.
Then, during your baby’s first few weeks and later when your baby is about 1 month old and 2 months old, her stomach gets bigger and she gradually starts taking more milk at each feed. The gaps between feeds also usually get longer.
If your baby starts cluster feeding, this trend is suddenly reversed. When this happens, it might seem as if you’re back to square one, and that your little one has reverted to the constant feeding you experienced in those first few days or weeks.
But don’t worry: Cluster feeding is a common and normal stage in your baby’s development.
While it may be a little more tiring for you, it’s actually helping her grow and develop.
Why Does a Newborn Baby Start Cluster Feeding?
Bouts of cluster feeding can occur if your little one is having a growth spurt and needs more food to fuel this rapid development.
Despite their name, growth spurts aren’t always related to an increase in your baby’s size and weight; you could also see a spike in your little one’s appetite when she’s working on developing new mental or motor skills.
In the first year, babies tend to experience the most rapid growth in the first two months after birth, so there may be a higher chance of cluster feeding during this period.
A growth spurt often occurs at around the beginning of the second week, and another one is common between three and six weeks, but every baby is different. There’s no knowing precisely when your little one’s hunger pangs will strike, or how long the cluster feeding phase will last.
Do Formula-Fed Babies Cluster Feed?
The short answer is yes, they can. Although formula-fed babies usually feed less often than breastfed ones because breast milk is digested faster than formula, formula-fed babies, of course, also experience growth spurts — and the associated munchies — as well.
If you’re formula feeding your little one, there’s a chance that she may eat more frequently — and even cluster feed — during these periods, too; but it’s also possible that the interval between feeds will stay more or less the same and she’ll just want to take a little more at each feed. Paced bottle feeding is a good method to use if you prefer your baby having more control over the pace of feeding.
How Long Does Cluster Feeding Last?
Feeding patterns can vary continuously for as long as your baby is breastfed or formula-fed, but bouts of cluster feeding generally occur during the first few weeks and months after your little one is born.
How to Deal With Cluster Feeding
Bouts of cluster feeding can make those first few months — already a tiring time — seem more challenging, but it’s important to go with the flow and ride out those periods of more intensive feeding. Remember, the growth spurts won’t last forever.
In the meantime, try and get as much rest as you can in the “calmer” periods, and take steps to avoid getting sore nipples, such as making sure your baby’s mouth is deeply latched, and using different breastfeeding positions from time to time.
Rather than setting a rigid timetable for feeding your baby, keep an eye out for feeding cues — the signs that he’s hungry — and let him feed “on demand” as much as possible.
Signs that your baby is hungry include turning towards your breast (rooting) if he’s breastfeeding, as well as smacking his lips or putting a fist in his mouth and sucking on it.
Reach out to your healthcare provider or enlist the help of a lactation consultant if you need help with cluster feeding or any other aspect of breastfeeding.
Our downloadable go-to breastfeeding guide is also a great source of tips and advice.
How to Tell if Your Baby Is Still Eating the Right Amount
All the changes in feeding patterns that can occur during those first few months of your little one’s life can be confusing. If you’re at all unsure, check in with your baby’s healthcare provider.
In the meantime, here are some ways to check your baby is getting enough milk:
Pay attention to your baby’s feeding cues. If you’re breastfeeding, it’s hard to be sure exactly how much milk your little one’s had. Keep in mind that your baby’s feeding sessions can vary in length, and he’ll usually stop eating when he’s feeling full. If you’re bottle-feeding, you might be unsure whether your little one has gotten all the breast milk or formula he needs from the bottle. Signs that he’s still hungry might include putting his hand in his mouth or smacking his lips after draining the feeding bottle dry. Fidgeting or looking distracted mid-feed could mean he’s no longer hungry.
As your little one’s feeding patterns become established, you’ll soon get to know his unique signals and cues.Keep an eye on your baby’s growth. As long as your little one’s size and weight gain are on track, he’s probably eating the right amount. Your baby’s healthcare provider will be keeping track of all this for you.
Count those dirty diapers. What goes in must come out, so counting wet and poopy diapers is another way of keeping tabs on your baby’s intake of fluid and nutrients. After the first 5 days, around 6 or more heavy wet diapers and about 3 or 4 poopy ones every 24 hours is a good sign that your little one is getting enough milk. Incidentally, all those diapers — whether they end up filled with meconium, regular poop, or pee — could be earning you great gifts, discounts, and coupons. Download the Pampers Rewards app to get started.
Will Cluster Feeding Make My Breast Milk Run Out?
Your little one’s feeding actually stimulates milk production, so in most cases your body will ramp up the supply to meet demand during periods of cluster feeding.
Stress or illness may decrease your milk supply temporarily. Ways of overcoming these temporary glitches include staying hydrated, eating healthily, and getting a little more rest (if you can).
Some medications can also affect your milk supply. If you think a medicine that you’re taking could be reducing the amount of breast milk you make, talk to your healthcare provider. Your provider might be able to suggest an alternative medication for you while you’re breastfeeding.
If you think you might not be producing enough milk, you can always ask your provider or a lactation consultant for personalized advice on how to increase your breast milk supply.
Caring for a newborn baby is a full-time job and, just like any other rewarding occupation, it can have its more relaxed and its busier periods. For most moms, times of cluster feeding fall into the latter category!
But there’s a big upside to all of this: As you watch your little one growing and changing from day to day, simply knowing that each bout of cluster feeding is fueling the next stage of your baby’s development will make the extra effort seem worth it in the end.
What is Cluster Feeding and Why Do Babies Do It?
Lurie Children's Blog Cluster Feeding FAQs
May 12, 2022
Contributing Expert: Tara Kotagal, MD
This post is part of our newborn health and wellness series. For more information from our pediatric experts, visit our Newborn Resources page.
You may have heard the term cluster feeding before. Wondering if your baby is doing it and what it means? Lurie Children’s pediatricians answer the most common questions about cluster feeding.
What Is Cluster Feeding?Typically, newborns need to eat every 2–3 hours in the first few weeks of life. But sometimes, they may suddenly want to feed more often than before. This is called cluster feeding. It simply means eating more frequently than every two hours.
Babies cluster feed for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is for comfort. But often it is because they are growing and they need more milk.
At What Ages Do Newborns Tend to Cluster Feed?Newborns usually cluster feed when they are going through a big period of growth. The most common ages are:
- Right after birth
- At two weeks of age
- At one month of age
A baby’s sleep can get disrupted when they are going through developmental milestones. This can be frustrating! It is especially hard if your baby has been sleeping for well and then suddenly regresses.
Do your best to feed on a schedule during the day so that your baby has a full tummy leading up to bedtime. Try to differentiate between hunger cues and soothing cues. As your baby gets older, they should start to sleep in longer stretches overnight.
If they are still waking up frequently to feed at four months, talk with your pediatrician about sleep training.
You may not always know the difference. Look for hunger cues, like lip smacking, moving their head from side to side, rooting (as if searching for food) or moving their hand to their mouth.
If your baby cries out shortly after a feed, try soothing techniques, such as using a pacifier, shushing, swaying or swaddling.
Can Formula-Fed Babies Cluster Feed?Yes, they can. However, formula tends to be more slowly digested than breast milk. It may leave babies feeling fuller at bedtime, leading to less frequent awakenings overnight.
Do All Newborns Cluster Feed?Remember that every baby is different and it is hard to compare one infant to the next. While cluster feeding is a common phenomenon, each baby may do it a bit differently.
While you need to take care of your baby, you also need to take care of yourself! Feeding a baby takes a lot of work. Breastfeeding parents should try to limit feeding sessions to 30 minutes or less. And take at least a 30-minute break in between feeds. If bottle feeding, try alternating feeding responsibilities with another caregiver. Make sure you are prioritizing your own rest.
Remember, always reach out to your pediatrician with your feeding questions. Your pediatrician is your partner in helping to care for your baby and making sure they meet all their development milestones.
In addition to expert specialty care, Lurie Children’s offers several primary care locations around the Chicago area for your child's healthcare needs — from infancy through childhood and adolescence. Learn more about our primary care services.
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What is cluster power?
08.
11.2022
Often talk about feeding babies as if it were on a strict schedule - every few hours, with emptying of the breast, but rarely talk about cluster feeding.
“Cluster feeding is a term used to refer to natural periods of time when your newborn wants to feed frequently for hours and often for many short periods of time.” - Janelle Ferry, MD, Director of Feeding, Nutrition and Infant Development in Florida Pediatric Neonatology. This can happen to babies who are both breastfed and bottle-fed.
Not only does this sound boring, it's actually true. However, cluster feeding for newborns and older children is normal and even has its benefits. "Cluster feeding helps mothers increase their breast milk to keep up with their baby's nutritional needs," says Jessica Madden, MD, International Council on Breastfeeding Council (IBCLC) certified pediatrician and neonatologist and healthcare professional.
What is cluster nutrition?
Cluster feeding is a period of more frequent feeding.
“Most newborns and toddlers breastfeed about every two to three hours, but with cluster feeding they can have multiple feeds in a row with only about an hour between each feed,” says Dr. Madden.
Cluster feeding is a normal part of lactation that depends on supply and demand. The baby "demands" food, and the nursing baby's body learns to "supply" it based on the baby's feedback on their needs.
“Cluster feeding is a natural mechanism by which a baby communicates its milk needs to its mother,” says Dr. Ferry. "These frequent feedings send a message to the maternal feedback pathways in the brain, resulting in more milk for the mother."
But again, this can happen to formula-fed babies, because it's a programmed mechanism in babies. Formula-fed babies can also cluster during growth spurts, says Dr. Ferry. “Because the nutritional situation is slightly different, it is often not as pronounced as with breastfeeding. Often with formula feeding, the infant will begin to eat more formula at each feeding.
”
What is the typical age of cluster feeding?
Cluster feeding of newborns is common, but it can occur during the first few years of an infant's life.
"Typically, there is a growth spurt on the second day of a baby's life and babies are fed in clusters to stimulate breast milk production," says Demi Lucas, IBCLC of The Lactation Network. "Other common periods of growth spurts are the first week, 2 to 3 weeks of age, 6 weeks of age, 8 weeks of age, 3 months of age, and 6 months of age."
Lucas notes that this age also usually coincides with growth spurts when babies need more milk (or formula) to support their rapid development.
How long does a cluster meal last?
Cluster feeding can feel like a never ending cycle where the baby is laid down only to be picked up again. But the good news is that it usually lasts about two to three days, says Lucas, "then the babies go back to their normal feeding schedule."
Lukas also says that cluster feedings usually happen at the same time each day.
“Cluster feeding often happens in the late afternoon or evening,” says Lucas. Dr. Ferry says nursing periods typically last "several" hours. But if it happens all day, every day, it could be a sign of problems.
"If cluster feeding lasts more than a couple of days, it's a good idea to talk to a lactation consultant and/or baby's primary care provider to see if there are still issues that need to be addressed," says Dr. Ferry.
What is the difference between cluster feeding and inefficient feeding?
Lucas emphasizes that cluster feeding is normal and does not mean your child is eating inefficiently. But constant feeding can be stressful and make parents wonder if their baby is getting enough milk. “The inability to quantify how much milk a baby sucks while breastfeeding exacerbates this problem,” she adds.
Dr. Ferry says that the signs of effective feeding of a baby include:
- Satisfaction between feedings
- Having wet and dirty diapers
- Weight gain according to the age curve
In addition, Lucas says that cluster feeding stops after about two to three days - if the cluster feeding period continues for longer, this may be a sign that the baby is having trouble getting enough food.
There are many reasons for inefficient feeding! Hormonal problems or previous surgeries can affect milk production. Dr. Ferry says a poor latch and oral restrictions can also prevent a baby from getting enough milk.
This is why latching is critical to ensure that the baby is fed and milk supply is stable.
Dr. Ferry and Lucas both offer to arrange a meeting with a lactation consultant to discuss any concerns. They will be able to determine if the baby has feeding problems and, if so, what the underlying cause is and how it can be corrected.
How to stop cluster feeding
You don't actually need to stop cluster feeding - the baby will naturally grow out of the cycle within a few days. "It's how our bodies increase the amount of breast milk we produce for our babies, so it can't be prevented, stopped, or controlled," says Dr. Madden. "We need to look at it not as a problem, but as a normal part of breastfeeding."
However, cluster feeding may be excessive
Similarly, pumping parents will need to pump more frequently during cluster feeding periods—once per feeding.
Powerful pumping involves pumping for 15-20 minutes, waiting for 10 minutes, and then pumping again for 10 minutes. And then repeat again. Even if there is no milk, it stimulates the breasts.
How to support a breastfeeding woman during cluster feeding
"Cluster feeding can be exhausting for all family members and can make anyone caring for a baby feel a little helpless," says Dr. Ferry.
"A non-breastfeeding parent can support their partner by helping with other baby care tasks," says Lucas. "Changing diapers, comforting the baby, bathing, dressing the baby, and providing snacks, food, and water are extremely helpful."
Caring for a child is exhausting and often takes an entire village. So try to get help when you need it, and know that the hardest times won't last forever.
Original
Photo en.freepik.com
The child asks for food every hour: feed according to the regimen or on demand?
Kizino Polina Aleksandrovna
pediatrician, perinatal psychologist
What should and should not be done if a newborn baby asks for food every hour? Polina Kizino, a pediatrician and leading expert of the Smart Mama online school, gives advice on breast milk and formula feeding, as well as on cluster feeding of an infant, which will help even experienced mothers.
— Polina Aleksandrovna, why does the child ask for food every hour?
— A child needs frequent feedings at certain periods of his life and development. Here, the main problem is that often mothers do not distinguish between the child's need for food and his anxiety for other reasons. For them, a fussy baby is always hungry and needs to be fed. But acting by mistake, you can go beyond the norm.
— Is it worth keeping a baby's diet at all and how to avoid overeating?
— When breastfeeding, a baby can suck out different amounts of milk in different feedings and get hungry a little earlier or a little later, so a nursing mother needs to trust the baby more and follow his needs. The mixture stays in the baby's stomach a little longer than breast milk, and to avoid overfeeding, clear intervals between bottles are introduced. Mixed feeding will be a cross between breastfeeding and artificial feeding.
Overeating in a small child is rare.
In extreme cases, if so much is eaten that the stomach does not hold food, the baby will spit up an extra amount of milk or formula.
Read also
- How much and how often to feed the baby day and night, and whether to set feeding hours.
How often to feed a newborn
— Why is the baby constantly hungry? And what if he often asks for food at night?
— You need to be careful and careful with night feedings. When a baby asks for food and is fed every hour, this is called cluster feeding. It is acceptable for one or two days, but if this happens for a long time, it is not normal.
The problem is that frequent "snacking" may be a constant violation of the regimen, due to the fact that the baby does not receive enough attention from his mother. He may be full, but he needs to make contact with his mother, kiss her breast and thus relieve his anxiety. Therefore, you need to analyze the situation and try to understand why night feedings occur.
- Is it rational to reduce the amount of milk depending on the intervals between feedings?
- In the first month, you should not increase the intervals: on the contrary, you should try to stimulate lactation so that by the month it becomes mature. When a baby eats every three hours, and the mother suddenly takes a break, for example, at nine o'clock, this can affect the amount of milk later.
The baby is definitely growing. And if he received breasts at intervals of three hours quite regularly, then with the introduction of complementary foods, one feeding goes away, and the break becomes longer. With a systematic and gradual reduction in feeding, milk production adjusts to the rhythm of the baby's nutrition. The alternation of large intervals and frequent applications can negatively affect lactation. The body gets used to the lack of stimulation, and then it will be more difficult to increase the amount of milk in multiple feedings. Therefore, it is better to go to reduce breastfeeding gradually.
— Is feeding according to the schedule always a good thing?
- Feeding at the same time can be both a plus and a minus. Mom is calm, trying to adapt to the children's routine and understands what awaits her in the near future. The baby also adjusts to a certain routine, which gradually prepares him for complementary foods on schedule.
The disadvantages begin when the mother artificially tries to adhere to the regime, not relying on the needs of her baby and not “feeling” him. Even under a regime, allowance must be made for new circumstances. And if a child has a need for food, he does not need to refuse, especially a very small one who still does not know how to wait for physiological reasons.
— How to determine how much food to give during one feeding?
- When breastfeeding, it makes no sense to calculate the volume, and it is difficult to measure it. On artificial feeding, the calculation is based on the age and weight of the baby.
Usually, the amount of food per day is calculated: it is divided by the number of feedings at the moment. For example, if a child eats every three hours, then the volume is divided by eight or seven, and for older babies - by fewer feedings. Each age has its own formulas and calculations.
Approximate amount of infant formula by age and frequency of feedings
— How can you tell if a baby is gaining weight?
- We discussed earlier that at each age there are average norms (range) of weight gain. But gains above the norm does not mean the threat of obesity. Physiological features, height-weight proportions of the baby are taken into account. Even if the weight gain prevails over the increase in height, it is still not necessary to restrict the child in nutrition. It is important to meet his nutritional needs and not replace the milk/formula with water or dilute the formula with more water to reduce its calorie content. When nutrition is adequate, and the correct feeding regimen and eating behavior has developed in the family, as the child grows and masters new skills, the child will begin to expend more energy, and the reserves accumulated in previous months will quickly be used up.
— When is it time for an overweight baby to see a doctor?
— Babies under one year old are seen by a pediatrician every month. At the appointment, the doctor can look at more pronounced weight gain and discuss whether the child is active enough for his age or needs stimulation. After all, it happens that babies are ready to crawl and roll over, and parents leave them to sit in a deck chair without the possibility of moving, or children spend a lot of time in a stroller, where they are also unable to realize their motor needs.
Don't forget about endocrine diseases that lead to obesity, although they occur very rarely. If necessary, the pediatrician will prescribe a consultation with an endocrinologist.
— What advice does the World Health Organization give about feeding children?
- WHO says baby should be breastfed on demand. Wants to eat every 40-60 minutes - you need to feed and not wait until he stops asking for a breast or the time between feedings is maintained.
However, a child's anxiety does not always indicate that he is hungry. Breastfeeding is not only about nutrition, but also about interaction. Sometimes breastfeeding becomes a satisfaction of the need not so much for food as for communication. If the child lacks attention, affection, care, then he can ask for a breast much more often, because at the time of feeding he has the opportunity to closely contact his mother.
— What are cluster feedings and why do they occur?
— Cluster feedings have been talked about relatively recently. These are situations when the baby is applied to the breast very often for some time, literally "hanging on the chest" to be with his mother.
Peculiarities of cluster feeding:
- are often observed in babies of the first month of life;
- may appear in two to three months or recur sooner;
- often coincide with growth spurts, when the baby's excitability increases, he learns new skills, receives a lot of information from the outside;
- usually last one or two days, and if they are delayed, then it is necessary to analyze the sleep and wakefulness regimen, the presence of overvoltage, the adequacy of the child's nutrition and, if necessary, take measures;
- are not related to the mother's diet - however, in such a rather difficult period, it is desirable that the mother does not have aggravating factors in the form of a strict diet, which will negatively affect her well-being and mood.
A small child depends on his mother. When his level of anxiety rises due to certain changes in the body, he wants his mother to be around as often and as long as possible. Being on his chest for a long time, he calms down. This condition is normal for a child, and there is no need to wait for him to stop asking for breasts or asking for pens. You need to come to terms with the fact that there are such periods in the life of a baby, and organize your life in such a way that frequent cluster feedings do not interfere (slings and other carriers help).
Cluster feedings occur less frequently on artificial feeding because the baby does not connect food with mother as closely as with natural feeding. Mom has other ways of interacting with her baby that compensate for communication during feeding. Feeding on such days usually takes place, but the baby spends more time in her arms, and the mother is more actively involved in his life and pays more attention to him.
It is impossible and unnecessary to feed a child chaotically all the time.
When breastfeeding, it is important to take into account the needs of the baby and try to choose something between a regimen and its complete absence. Artificial feeding is easier - the ideal regimen depends on the frequency of feeding in accordance with the age and weight of the baby. When a child begins to ask for food every hour, the first thing to decide is whether he is hungry or has some other need. There are times when a baby needs a mother and he needs more communication, a change in position, a feeding place. This is the norm, not a disease that needs to be treated. Mom needs to carefully observe her baby, learn to feel his needs, and everything will be in order.
*The ideal food for an infant is mother's milk. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. MAMACO ® supports this recommendation. Before introducing new foods into your baby's diet, consult with a specialist.
* Breast milk is the best food for babies. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of a child's life and continued breastfeeding after complementary foods are introduced until the age of 2 years.
