Why does my baby cluster feed
Cluster feeding | Pregnancy Birth and Baby
Cluster feeding | Pregnancy Birth and Baby beginning of content4-minute read
Listen
Key facts
- Cluster feeding is when your baby wants lots of short feeds over a few hours.
- Cluster feeding is very common, especially in the late afternoon or early evening.
- No one really knows why some babies cluster feed, but it may be a way for your body to boost your milk supply.
- If your baby cluster feeds, this does not mean that you don't have enough milk.
- Cluster feeding can be exhausting; it's a good idea to think of strategies to help you cope when your baby feeds frequently.
What is cluster feeding?
Cluster feeding is a time when your baby wants lots of short feeds over a few hours. It's normal and often happens in the early days of breastfeeding.
Cluster feeding is a normal behaviour for your baby. It's more common in the late afternoon or early evening, but it can happen anytime of the day.
It seems that some babies prefer to fill up on milk for a few hours then often have a longer sleep.
Why do some babies cluster feed?
There is no particular reason why some babies cluster feed. Some people believe it might boost your milk supply. If your baby wants more milk, then feeding more often will trigger your body to make it.
Is my baby cluster feeding?
If your baby is having a lot of short feeds close together over a few hours, you are cluster feeding.
If you are cluster feeding, you might also find that your baby:
- has short rests or sleeps between these feeds
- feeds for a few minutes then pulls off and on the breast
- cries and is fussy during this time
Common worries about cluster feeding
Cluster feeding can make you physically and emotionally drained.
Many parents feel exhausted and frustrated. Some mothers say they feel like a failure, or that they lose confidence about being able to breastfeed.
You might worry that you don't have enough milk because your baby takes a long time to settle. You might also think your breasts feel empty.
But there is always milk in your breasts. They are never completely empty.
What can I do to make cluster feeding easier?
The first thing to remember is that this is normal. Cluster feeding doesn't mean that you don't have enough milk.
To make cluster feeding easier you can:
- relax and follow your baby's lead
- feed to their need
- look forward to a sleepy, settled baby after feeding
- try to rest in the early part of the day to prepare
- drink lots of water
- make sure you eat well — don't miss meals
- get as much family and partner support as you can
Things to look out for
Cluster feeding is a normal part of a baby's feeding routine.
Talk to your nurse, midwife or doctor if your baby:
- is not gaining weight
- is not producing wet and dirty nappies
- is not settling after they have finished feeding
Where can I go for help and advice about breastfeeding?
For advice and support contact:
- a lactation consultant
- your family health nurse
- Pregnancy Birth Baby on 1800 882 436
- the Australian Breastfeeding Association Helpline on 1800 686 268
Speak to a maternal child health nurse. Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. This is a free service, and is available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.
Sources:
Australian Breastfeeding Association (Cluster feeding and fussy babies), Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) (Infant and toddler nutrition), Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) (Breastfeeding)Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: May 2022
Back To Top
Related pages
- Breastfeeding your baby
Need more information?
Cluster feeding | Australian Breastfeeding Association
Baby feeds all evening? Witching hour, empty breasts, unsettled baby. It's usually all normal.
Read more on Australian Breastfeeding Association website
Is it really low supply? | Australian Breastfeeding Association
Fussy or crying baby? Soft breasts? Baby cluster feeding? Can't pump milk? It can be hard to know what’s going on.
Read more on Australian Breastfeeding Association website
Breastfeeding your baby
Breastfeeding is the most natural way to feed your baby, providing all the nutrition your baby needs during the first six months of life and a loving bond with your baby.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
Breastfeeding Tips and Videos | Tresillian
Find videos and top breastfeeding tips to answer your questions, including how long to breastfeed, milk supply tips, and weaning your baby.
Read more on Tresillian website
Why do some mums stop breastfeeding before 6 months?
Most new parents know 'breast is best', but while more than 9 out of 10 babies are breastfed at birth, few mums are breastfeeding exclusively 5 months later.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
How to increase breast milk supply
Find out what causes low breast milk supply, what is normal and how to boost breast milk production.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
A day in the life of a newborn
Most babies will start to settle into a daily pattern of sleeping, feeding and playing, whether you follow what your newborn does or establish a simple routine.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
Disclaimer
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.
OKNeed further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?
1800 882 436
Video call
- Contact us
- About us
- A-Z topics
- Symptom Checker
- Service Finder
- Linking to us
- Information partners
- Terms of use
- Privacy
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is funded by the Australian Government and operated by Healthdirect Australia.
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is provided on behalf of the Department of Health
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby’s information and advice are developed and managed within a rigorous clinical governance framework. This website is certified by the Health On The Net (HON) foundation, the standard for trustworthy health information.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.
The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.
Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.
Support this browser is being discontinued for Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
Support for this browser is being discontinued for this site
- Internet Explorer 11 and lower
We currently support Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox and Safari. For more information, please visit the links below:
- Chrome by Google
- Firefox by Mozilla
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari by Apple
You are welcome to continue browsing this site with this browser. Some features, tools or interaction may not work correctly.
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.
Why Do Newborns Cluster Feed?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.
How Can I Tell the Difference Between a Baby Who Wants to Cluster Feed and a Fussy Baby?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.
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.
What if My Baby Wants to Cluster Feed, but I Need a Break?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.
Tags
Health & Safety
Additional Blog Posts
-
Language barrier, neighborhood conditions associated with delayed care for ACL injuries in kids and adolescents
Read More
-
A Refreshed Behavioral Health Response Model: Behind the Scenes with Debrea Griffith and Jim Maurer
Read More
-
What Does a Seizure Look Like in Kids?
Read More
-
Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) Therapy Alleviates Liam’s Seizures
Read More
Master class on the topic "Application of technology for the development of critical thinking in elementary school lessons.
The "Cluster" method" Slide 1. Hello, dear colleagues!
Presentation
Slide 2. I would like to start my master class with a statement by Bernard Shaw: “If you have an apple and I have an apple, and if we exchange these apples, then you and I will have one apple left. And if you have an idea, and I have an idea, and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have several ideas. nine0005
The teacher needs to constantly learn, learn from each other. We are all different. But there is something that unites us all - this is the desire to become better for our students.
Slide 3. I'm going to ask you to write down a list of adjectives (5-6) that, in your opinion, characterize a successful person. (Colleagues create their own list of adjectives) 1 min.
Now circle 1 adjective from the list that best describes YOUR personality.
nine0005
Have you been critical of the choice of the word that characterizes you? Of course. So children need to be taught to be critical of the information they receive, comprehend it, “digest”, find additional information, check sources, and only then draw conclusions. And how to do it? How to teach students to find knowledge on their own? How to teach to highlight the main and essential in the text or in speech? How to develop such basic personality traits as reflexivity, communication, creativity, independence? nine0005
Slide 4. It seems to me that the answers to many questions can be found in the technology of developing critical thinking. The purpose of the technology is to develop the mental skills of students, which are necessary not only in studies, but also in everyday life - the ability to make informed decisions, work with information, analyze various aspects of phenomena, etc. The technology attracts by the fact that it can be used in various subject areas, at different lessons in elementary school.
This is a universal, "over-subject" technology. nine0005
Slide 5. What is critical thinking? This thinking is independent, generalized, problematic and evaluative, reasoned, social.
Slide 6. It seems to me that modern requirements for learning outcomes, the Federal State Educational Standard, are aimed at the development of just such thinking. This technology is based on the three-phase structure of the lesson: challenge, comprehension, reflection.
| Phase I | II phase | III phase |
On the slide, you see various techniques of this technology, there are quite a lot of them, and, probably, many of them are familiar to you.
nine0005
I would like to dwell on one approach in more detail. Cluster is a universal technique. It is great for any stage of the lesson, for many subjects in elementary school.
Slide 7. In order to clarify your expectations and fears in the course of acquaintance with the clusters, I propose to more clearly define what you expect (would like to receive) from today's master class and what you are afraid of.
On the slide, an apple tree is an image of your hopes, a bag is your fears. I invite you to share your hopes and concerns on the subject of Clustering. nine0005
Let's distribute apples: apples - expectations on a tree, and apples - fears we will send to a bag.
Slide 8 . So (further I read from the slide and by clicking on the “apple” I send them to a tree or to a bag).
- I will learn to distinguish some types of cluster.
- I think that this type of work is unlikely to be useful to students.
- I will be able to put into practice the acquired knowledge about clustering.
- Compiling a cluster is an exciting and useful activity. nine0005
- I can't do everything on time.
- Special terms and new words impede perception.
- Good luck in mastering the cluster method and compiling it.
Slide 9 . Consider the sequence of actions when compiling a cluster, they are simple and logical:
From the English word "cluster" cluster means
- Brush, swarm, bunch, bunch.
- A cluster of people. nine0122
United on any similar grounds.
Slide 10. A cluster is one of the strategically active methods that organizes the interaction between students and teachers. And the product of such activity is modeling - information arranged in a certain sequence. Mastering this information is the achievement of the planned results.
Clustering allows students to think freely and openly about a topic. nine0005
Slide 11. Clusters are different in structure: bunch, fish bone, herringbone, steps.
Slide 12. I propose to try out in practice one of the ways to introduce students to the cluster in elementary school, when students do not yet know what it is and therefore a way is needed that will show interest in the new. And this technique is drawing up a cluster using ready-made cards or the “Useful Envelope” manual, otherwise it can be called “Smart Envelope” . Whoever likes it.
Today I will introduce you to this technique using the example of the lesson of the world around us in the 3rd grade under the program "School of Russia".
Slide 12. The topic of the lesson is “Bodies, substances, particles”. I suggest that the children fill in the empty diagram at the beginning of the lesson, as they suggest.
Thus, students are faced with a difficulty, which we will resolve in the course of the lesson. Now I suggest that you feel like students and fill in this cluster in pairs. Before you is a diagram with empty windows, and in the envelopes the data necessary to fill in, try to arrange all the words in the diagram as you see fit. nine0005
- Filled in, then we proceed to the stage of comprehension, and go on the topic of the lesson, checking our assumptions in stages, starting from the left side of the cluster - what are the names of all the objects, living beings that surround us. Someone suggested that these are bodies, someone that these are substances. We check the text of the textbook.
Slide 13. So, bodies are all objects, living beings that surround us, they are divided into the following groups: natural, artificial and celestial. Now we can glue this part. nine0005
Slide 14. Moving on, what do bodies consist of? We assume that from substances.
Slide 15. We check our thoughts in the text of the textbook. Indeed, all bodies are composed of substances that are divided into 3 groups: solid, liquid and gaseous. Further, from the text of the textbook, children learn that particles in different substances are arranged differently, and they try to correlate the picture of the location of particles in a substance with its appearance.
Slide 16. Glue this part.
Slide 17. One part of the diagram remains - particles, from the text the guys find out that there are different particles - complex and simple, and glue molecules and atoms.
Slide 18. Thus, during the lesson, we confirmed or refuted our assumptions, figured out what bodies, substances and particles are, coped with the difficulty that arose at the initial stage of the lesson, and at the stage of reflection, we generalize with the children, we draw conclusions, we come to the conclusion that we have achieved the goals of the lesson, found out what bodies, substances and particles are, found out what groups they are divided into.
nine0005
This topic is quite voluminous and difficult to understand, but this way, using the cluster technique, you can visually systematize and summarize all the information.
This technique can be offered to children to work in pairs, as you worked today, you can organize work in groups, this is also quite convenient and productive.
Building a model, children learn to be attentive to the texts given in the textbooks, to the words of the author. Such work allows students to competently and convincingly compose their own statements. nine0005
Slide 19. I use the "Smart Envelope" technique in different lessons. Here are just a few examples. Children, united in 4 groups, formed a cluster when studying the topic "Parts of Speech" in the 3rd grade.
Slide 20. When studying synonymous and antonymic verbs in the 3rd grade, the children were able to find helper words for studying material about this topic.
Slide 21. One of the most difficult topics in the world around the 4th grade is the study of natural areas. At a generalizing lesson, the students and I made up a cluster on the topic "Natural zones of Russia". 6 groups of researchers worked at the lesson, at the end of the lesson they presented their natural zone to everyone. Based on the helper cards, the young scientists told about their zone. At the end of the lesson, we got a cluster. nine0005
Slide 22 . The “cluster” technique can also be used in literary reading lessons, when studying the images of heroes, and in a mathematics lesson, for example, compiling a cluster on the topic “Task”.
Slide 23. At the lessons I actively use the technique "Model - Description". Purpose: formation of the ability of students to work on the image of the hero, to characterize objects and phenomena.
Slide 24. It is useful for children to make "Model - comparison".
This model helps to form the ability of students to analyze, compare and generalize the information received.
Slide 25. Next technique "Model - Reasoning" . Purpose: Formation of students' ability to analyze, prove and select the necessary information. Building a model - reasoning to the Russian folk tale "Children of Santa Claus". Children argue which snowflake: they choose, justifying and proving which of the qualities the hero of a fairy tale has. nine0005
Slide 26. Cluster (clusters) - one of the most popular types of cluster, its purpose: To systematize students' knowledge on this problem.
Slide 27. So, what are the rules for composing a cluster
- A keyword is written in the middle of a blank sheet, which is the “heart of an idea, topic”.
- Everything that is remembered about the topic is recorded. As a result, words are scattered around.
nine0121 Systematization in progress. Chaotic records are combined into groups, depending on which side of the content this or that recorded concept, fact reflects. - As you write, the words that appear are connected by straight lines to the key concept. Each of the “satellites”, in turn, has “satellites”, new logical connections are established. As a result, we get a structure that graphically reflects our thoughts and determines the information field of this topic. nine0122
Clusters can be applied, as you saw today, at different stages of the lesson. You can also try to give children as a test of knowledge, for example, after they have completed the topic, give a cluster for self-completion. Well, in elementary school - this technique, it seems to me, is just a godsend, in any lesson.
Like every technique, the clustering technique has its pros and cons.
Pluses . The cluster develops motivation for learning and the best aspects of the student, teaches students to acquire knowledge on their own, develops interest in the subject, allows you to activate the process of developing students' communication skills, educational-informational and educational-organizational skills.
nine0005
Cons . Primary school children have their own characteristics. They cannot control their emotions, so the lessons create quite a working noise during the compilation of the cluster.
This method requires additional preparation for the lesson from the teacher - drawing up diagrams, preparing envelopes, cards.
The clustering method in primary school is best introduced gradually, cultivating a culture of discussion and cooperation among students.
nine0003 Slide 28. Let's go back to the beginning of our master class. Let's look at the apple tree and the bag. Summing up, I would like to know if your expectations were justified in the results of our lesson? I hope your fears were unfounded?
“What I want to know is an apple tree, what I know is a branch of an apple tree, what I give to a student is an apple, what he takes from me is a seed. But an apple tree can grow from a seed!
Slide 29-30.
Good luck to you! I hope my master class was useful for you, and you will apply the knowledge gained in your professional activities. nine0005
Resources
- https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%80
- http://kladraz.ru/blogs/chernova-sventlana-anatolevna/priyom-klaster.html
- http://www.openclass.ru/node/459297
Creative cluster "Workshop 21", Chelyabinsk. Interview with Olga Filatova...
Interview with Olga Filatova
Industriality and culture
Olga Filatova, head of the creative cluster "Workshop 21" in Chelyabinsk, spoke about the history of the premises and the problems of its operation, a diverse range of events held in the center, about the system of organization of work and related difficulties, as well as plans for development. nine0278
— Where did you start, how did you find this room?
— It all started in 2015.
At that time, I was already a hairdresser with great experience, and I have a colleague who is a stylist. We do photo shoots. At one point, my friend says - come to our basement, do a photo session. We came, and here - horror, no light, terrible dirt. We go down to this basement, and I say: “Maxim, excuse me, but not a single normal person will climb here to be photographed.” And we just go, like on excursions, with a flashlight. It was scary to reach the last room. Because it is at the very end, there is no light, no stairs. But we all, of course, passed, checked. nine0005
— Who was the owner?
- Once upon a time there was some kind of city organization here, that is, this cellar did not belong to the house, but to the city. Behind our wall, by the way, is a boiler. It still heats several houses, but at that time this boiler was heated by stove heating. We have two underground rooms, they face the courtyard. There was coal, it was poured from the yard through hatches.
But below us, where there are sofas now, the wall has already been laid with bricks, there were stoves. And coal was thrown into these furnaces, and our house heated several houses. nine0005
- Could this be a bomb shelter?
- The house is not pre-war, but already post-war. As for the bomb shelter, a dubious version, because we have a small window. It is the only one in the basement, so small. It seems to me that they did not make windows in the bomb shelter. Although, on the other hand, if something happens, God forbid, we can hide here with the whole house.
Is this a big room?
- Three hundred square meters. When we were doing repairs - it took about two years - they took out several KAMAZ trucks of garbage. These walls were covered with plaster - twenty centimeters - and painted over with paint. That is, when we discovered the stone, I did not know that it was there. We all seem to have dug up a treasure. Damn, we think we should leave, such a beauty! Accordingly, these pillars, which are now painted, are made of brick.
Here is a colored scaffold - this is the foundation of the house. That is, nothing could be destroyed here. Somewhere there was an old brick, we didn’t even paint over it, we just varnished it, because it is sprinkled. Each brick has its own story... On my conscience, this is the first repair. I didn't know how to approach this process at all. We were given funds, we found craftsmen, and we had to deal with the design, with the interior, with everything. And lead even these masters. nine0005
— Did you immediately have an idea?
— Before we found this room, there was an idea of a school, an educational center, an association. In fact, we were not looking for this room, it came to us by itself. We were just brought here to watch photo shoots. There was also a second floor, to put it mildly, bare. And when I saw it, I realized that it could turn out to be an interesting diverse presentation. You see, when you see this unusual space, your puzzles begin to take shape.
And you may not see the whole picture to the end, but you understand that this is it. By and large, any basement can be upgraded, but here only about five million are “dug” into the walls. Not everyone can afford it. nine0005
Is this your money or did you attract it?
— The guys, the owners of the basement, allocated funds for the repair. We made a design project, followed the masters, traveled, bought. They climbed, fit into these funds, bought paint on them. I came from outside and drive my money into someone's premises ... It's, somehow ... Five million is a lot, agree? In addition, the premises are not simple in terms of communications. It's a basement - five meters underground. And we are the first who fall under the underground currents, under some kind of sewage, when the snow melts, the water runs and it rains. If the city sewerage has risen somewhere, then those who sit in the basements are the first to fall. nine0005
— Have you ever had such situations?
- I beg you .
.. I already seem to be able to work instead of a plumber! We also looked into the wells ourselves, because the sewage system drowns us from time to time. The issue with the toilet was resolved - we put our own forced sewerage there. And the city sewer, which runs everywhere, has not been repaired for a long time. And our people are not educated. Most of them don't know how to use it normally. And they throw off something without getting there. The three houses that we heat throw everything into this sewer, even diapers. nine0005
— Do you catch all this?
- These locksmiths are catching, poor unfortunates. They get it. But we have to communicate with them. Get along with locksmiths. We are already known in the Housing Office, we no longer quarrel with them. At first they fought. This is a very long, very complex system. You call one, you call another ... Is it okay that I'm telling you this?
— That's what we came for.
- When the flood starts in the basement, I can't do it alone, I need a team of people, because the water runs in such a way that you can't stop it.
Several people collect water, someone takes out water and two people are needed on the street. We have a closed yard, there are cars on the wells. Therefore, one person guards at the gate so that they do not freeze, and I run, removing cars from the wells. You can call anyone, but they will come, see that there are cars on the wells and stupidly leave, they won’t even come here. We got to it for the first time, had a fight with them. We called them, but they did not come in, did not say anything. We say we are leaving. And then wait for them for a day, tinker with it. It's like the system on the Titanic. We have, it turns out, several basements in a row. The most extreme basement is from Timiryazev. And we begin to drown all in turn. nine0005
— Does the kindergarten own the next basement?
— Yes, the second one. Through the basement - there is a garden, or rather its laundry. Moreover, amazing people, they enter this laundry very rarely, maybe once a week. And when they come in, there is already trouble, trouble.
They already have trouble, and if I have trouble, they generally have trouble, trouble. They do not know this process, that it is necessary to work in conjunction. They call, they say they will come. But if they are not caught, then, as it were, it is useless. They will just walk around like chickens, waving their arms. I'm in the yard - kick all the cars and disperse. Because I need it. And apparently they don't. I told the administrator, sent a message: “At least tell them that if they have such a problem that they call us, we will resolve this issue until everything has reached us.” There is still a basement between us and them, but it is empty, abandoned. And it, when it starts to flood to the middle, and there, apparently, I have some holes in the stones, and all this water, it starts to run towards me through the wall. nine0005
— Is waterproofing expensive?
— What about waterproofing? If only all the stones... I believe that if she does not run from here, she will run from above.
This will be harder to clean up. So it's better...
— It's better to let through the wall.
— When we caulked the toilet, it had not yet escaped from the wall. We screwed up some more. I say: "Water, such a thing, it will find a hole everywhere." She stopped running here, she started running there. You see, she began to break through from somewhere. These are basements... Now, if you tell someone... this is the situation. It's all cool, people really like it here, but there is a dark side. nine0005
— Do the owners lease this space to you?
Yes.
- They paid for the repair, and then they take money from you. Do you make money on the events that take place here?
— Quite right, I hold events, we have a lot of things here. In general, as we can, we earn. For yourself, for this happiness. We have a beauty salon here. We sublet for events. These are master classes. Today I went through depilation. Shops that are for hairdressers work with me.
They come here. We are fine. There are chairs, a projector, a screen. A master class of any creative nature can be held. Birthdays - adults, children's, we even had weddings. nine0005
— Did you take catering from outside?
— I had a girl, she cooked herself. Unfortunately, administrators who cook for another forty people do not always come across. There was such a person, she left. And so catering - from the restaurant they come right here. With tables with large and round. It turns out to be a very good holiday. We have a concert here, there is an orchestra, musicians. Concerts, by the way, have been held many times. Such, ethnic character. And our guests sit on the floor, we spread rugs, pillows. Who lies, who meditates. Everyone is listening to music with a cup of tea, a cup of coffee. Some kind of creative get-togethers. In general, absolutely any character that can fit in. Up to a hundred people, we can accommodate such parties here. nine0005
— And how many events do you have per month?
— I would be happy if they went through every day.
We have been sitting here for three years. People have already learned more about us, of course, but there can be one event a week. Once a week, but once in a while is not necessary.
— This is a big event, but what about small events?
- Small events... We have sub-tenants, for example, a dance school. In the evenings we have guys dancing here. This is the room, see? These are showers. Especially when we were doing repairs, we calculated for the guys who would go in for dancing and sports. At the moment I am developing a new project - a women's school. There, just, we will introduce all sorts of gymnastics and trainings for women, hairdressers, make-up artists. Now we will come up with our own projects ... Of course, I am glad to let everyone come here for free, but I also need to pay rent, eat, drink, as it were, support it all. Not only do you pay rent, I need to pay the girls' salaries, to clean these three hundred square meters. nine0005
— Do you have a big team?
- The main five people.
The rest are coming and going.
- Functionally, who is this?
- Administrators; we have a person who cleans up. To nail, fasten there ... a man comes to us. I have an accountant. We are such a serious organization.
— Who is responsible for advertising?
- I have girls for advertising. I taught girls at school on Instagram. There is targeting. We have four Instagram accounts, we manage them all. We are actively involved in them. nine0005
Why four?
— We have a workshop right where the events are. My personal. Then we do hair cosmetics, for hairdressers. That is, these are side businesses to have money. We also sell, also with hairdressers, we have such beauty filters. Beauty respirators. That is the trade. In order not to put everything together, we made separate accounts. And now, if we do the project, another account will appear.
— Do your administrator girls lead the events? nine0282
Girls, yes.
As long as there are so many of us. But, I think that over time we will expand. It is very difficult to work as an owner, and a hired director in one person, and also as a hairdresser. Because as a hairdresser, I also take care of my clients. Now less, but still, they are. Therefore, perhaps, over time, the director will appear. It will be just between me and the administrator girls. It is very difficult to generate ideas and execute at the same time.
- May I ask an indiscreet question - does it pay off? nine0282
— Why do you think I have started so many businesses at the moment?
— Does it pay off only from all businesses?
- If everything works together, so that we do not work to zero. Because three years to zero is hard.
- If, relatively speaking, you don't sell anything else. Only one event…
— You won't be satisfied with just one event. To be honest, a lot depends on advertising. Guys from other cities come to us.
They find us by pictures, photographs. Designers called several times from Samara. An event is organized from another city, they are looking for a venue. And specifically, apparently, we highlight - lofts or art space. And who is looking for a specific place, they come to us. Agree immediately. nine0005
— Do girls also do advertising?
— We discuss everything together — about advertising, about targeting.
- Besides Instagram, what other channels?
— We have Facebook, VKontakte and word of mouth. At the beginning, I chose such a technique for myself, because at the initial stage there is no money, I need to work for a sarafan. That is, to drive a large number of people through themselves. You can arrange once a month, twice a month with someone for very large events. Know who networkers work well. There are a lot of them now. If you drive them to your place a couple of times, they begin to spread this information on other social networks. It flows by itself, you don’t even invent anything.
And the more people pass through you stupidly, the better. The most important thing is that they mark their geolocation. Because everyone starts at some startup, and there is not much money, it’s hard. At first, we also began to organize some events, without fully understanding the distribution of money. You work to zero, but you did a good promotion, you did a good advertisement. You should definitely have TV here. It also works well. Someone has to take pictures. Photographer is invited. The TV generally works perfectly. nine0005
— Do you invite them on purpose?
— Yes, we negotiate with TV channels free of charge. They are also interested in some new facts in the city. The first year they came themselves - can we film something with you? And if you know that you will have an interesting event in two weeks, you call them and say: guys, we have such an interesting project, if you want to see it, come. We negotiated with several TV channels, and there were free options.
For example, the Yuzhny Ural TV company filmed once, but the picture remained good and it turned out to be an excellent output. My neighbors and I fought very hard. For them, it was - never mind, you are on TV! And after that, they somehow became more careful with their statements. nine0005
— So, did the TV help you communicate with your neighbors?
— While the renovation was going on, they only communicated with the builders. They didn’t like that we were here at all, in principle, there. It was not clear to them why "you are sitting in the basement, and not us." They did not want to sit in an unrepaired room. As the repair appeared, they immediately decided that for some reason it was a common house economy. I say - not common house, but private. They went to the authorities, found out if it was possible to expel us from here. They were sent through the forest. They said, guys, don’t even bother, they are sitting on a legal basis. From this side they cannot approach us.
Then - people go through the gate, breathe the air, trample the grass, trample the asphalt. We also put stamps on the asphalt at first. And it began - what are you doing here? Or men asked - where are the women naked? I say - there are no naked women, we are engaged in creativity. Some, apparently, thought that we had a brothel here. nine0005
- Can you bring them all to some workshop?
- Tried. Youth, the younger generation, they come to us. We spent birthdays. This is fine. Slowly, slowly, of course, they will all catch up. There are those with whom we periodically swear - I did not put the car there. I try not to quarrel with them, to be a good girl.
— What age do you go to events?
- Different ages. Depending on what kind of event we are doing, who is interested in it. There are, for example, vegetarian events. They come from small to large. The oldest woman who celebrated her birthday with us turned almost ninety years old. Her grandfather sat contentedly, rocking in a rocking chair.
She was very happy that she was in such an amazing place. The main thing is that she should get out of here normally. nine0005
— Are there any activities for children?
— Of course, babies are the smallest. Even one year olds were brought here. We have people who organize events, especially for children. We can organize adults ourselves, but as for children, the specifics are special here, we have to invite from outside. It seems to me that thanks to the workshop I know the whole show business of Chelyabinsk. All hosts, DJs, everyone who participates in this party. We invite them. Now they are already our friends, they themselves are interested here. nine0005
— Are there partners who constantly help you with something?
— I work with Anton Bragin, he often holds events here. And he, as a screenwriter, director, organizes these events. We do. And who else do we have of these ... "Cosmodus". They arrange ethnic parties. Very similar to Goan discos, beautiful surroundings.
They hang such luminous white things, and with the backlight everything shines, blinks. But it's also a non-alcoholic party. People come to enjoy good quality music. nine0005
— Do any of your partners help you financially?
- Materially - nobody, morally - everything. "Don't teach me how to live, help financially." As for the material, I can only agree with the owners that I cannot pay rent in full today. I was lucky here, probably, that the guys I have are adequate. Of course, they don't help me in any way. If my pipe really burst, I save myself here. No one will help me, I have to do everything myself. nine0005
— Do you have any relations with the authorities?
— Thank God, there are no negative ones, but there were no positive ones either.
— Have you contacted them for support?
- Someone told me that I could do it, if only because charity events are also held here. In this case, I give rent free of charge. Not so long ago we held a charity event "Garage Sale".
The guys sold things, and the money from the sale went to charity for children who are sick. Accordingly, I let them in without rent, as if I also participated in this charity. We also cooperate with the Most Foundation, but it was not like that, so that I would go to the mayor's office to ask for something, this was not the case. nine0005
— Can we say that you have more beauty industry events than others?
— There are probably sixty percent of such events. Here we usually have a photo zone, there are lights, they change depending on what kind of people come, what events. There is a beauty salon here. There is a smell. I turn on the air conditioner, then it disappears. We removed the hood by the pipes. These pipes are already from the hood. There were thin pipes here. A thin pipe, and it got in the way. This is a new pipe. See, it's been welded on. She somehow walked in such a way that it was very difficult to put the box there. In general, this whole piece, there is such an artist Hundertwasser .
.. graffiti guys made from his work. We chose pictures. They did such, how to say, installation. In total, three artists worked here. This house was painted by Ruslan Sultanov-Ramnikov. This house also has its own history. These watches, see? Hundertwasser has a big, big picture, there is a clock, a pizza clock. We decided to upgrade them. Scissors and all our details that we periodically encounter. nine0005
— Do you have a beauty salon here?
— Yes, customers enjoy visiting it. You know, when a client is getting a haircut and people are dancing there, it's very unusual.
— Do you leave doors open?
- I leave open. We know everything about each other. We're like one big family here, to be honest. We come to the workshop, as home. We have a multicooker here…
— And how many people pass into this space?
- On average, several dozen, but it can reach up to a hundred people a day. Today, about forty people sat at the master class.
I was not here, I took the exams. And yes, there are a lot of people. Mirrors, by the way, did it yourself. Right, I myself was sitting, drawing. We looked for these nails, went to the market, all this was cut, drawn, all with our own hands. We also invented doors, but the most expensive thing is not the door here, but these coils, pendants. Their local kulibins did.
- Handmade. nine0282
Handmade, yes. What else do we have from homemade? Here are the tables. With us guys, if you notice, pallets are everywhere, everything is made of pallets. And here is the farthest room - this is my utility room. We've got some old stuff here. These are our bins, the bins of the Motherland, "everything that is acquired by overwork." This was the farthest room, which was the most frightening to reach through the dark basement.
- Even here the order is perfect.
- We are trying. Sometimes there is such a mess that you can break a leg. nine0005
— What are your plans for further development?
- In the plans - so that it all works quietly, generates income.
Well, as for the workshop, we've been testing the waters all this time, what works best. Either do-it-yourself events or rent. For rent - this is the least parks. But, as practice shows, there are tenants today, and tomorrow ... It's like waiting for the weather by the sea. Now, you know how we do it - I tell the girls that we are looking for schools that suit us and stupidly call them, we say that there is such a space. Maybe our rent will be a little less here. Maybe they'll like it here. Just to introduce people so that they come, have a look, and, perhaps, someone will stay and rent from us in the same way. I would like more people, when there are more of them it becomes just fun here. nine0005
— Do you want another director in the future?
— I just want to have more rest. Now there is no rest. I sometimes come here at ten in the morning and leave at midnight. Somehow I want, ideally, to come here for three hours and leave. As for the director, I don’t know yet, maybe I’ll raise from the current generation .
..
— And after the repair, how did it quickly pay off?
- Well, probably in a year. You don't expect it to be straight... A year for sure, and even a year is not enough. And today many people know about us. This is good, but the space is not yet working to its fullest, as I would like. nine0005
— And what about Svoboda? Are they competitors to you?
- "Freedom" - it began to develop. I was there not so long ago. There are a lot of organizations and they are all different. I think that they will have a development process of two years, since everything is in construction there. It's very difficult to get there. Here we are somehow in the center of the city, after all, we are. To get there, it takes a very long walk from the bus stop. And the area itself is not very developed. This, as I understand it, was bought by the Flacon plant, which is located in Moscow. They also built everything for a while. They're great. When I come to Moscow, I go there all the time.
By the way, when we were doing repairs here, it so happened that during this period I went to Moscow. For the first time I came to Flakon and went to take pictures of everything. And there are also painted walls ... I thought cool, so we think in the same way, so we are not behind the times. nine0005
— In addition to Flacon, do you have examples of similar spaces that you focus on?
- "Floors" in St. Petersburg. But there, as it were, everything is uncomplicated. If you really want to look at every corner here, you understand that the people did the repairs with their own money ...
— So, you have hope that the quality is done here?
- We have ... And people go to the interior. People go here for the interior. We have people going to the picture. A lot of people come to take pictures. We filmed several videos here. I am flattered to hear this from designers. I am not a designer. I made my first renovation in my life. nine0005
— Are you still working on interior design or have you let it go?
— There are still ideas.
Need money. Now no one will allocate them for refurbishment. It's just some design stuff. Some photos, some small things that you can do yourself. Someone brought a horse, now it hangs with us.
— Do you feel your uniqueness in the city?
Yes. Do you feel our uniqueness?
— (Anastasia) Well, we are comfortable and unique. (laughs)
— How do you feel? Here you work with us, that you got here...
— (Anastasia) Here is the atmosphere. All the people who come here, they get into such a space, and - oh, we have this here, in gray Chelyabinsk! Everything here is bright, beautiful, and people feel it.
— Yes, under this impression… It all gives off so pleasantly that you think: “Our eyes have been blurred over all this time…”
— Well, in the space of Stalinist architecture, this is unusual.
- I remember the impression I had when we just stopped by. My client went downstairs, and she sat in tetanus for twenty minutes. As soon as I planted her, I went somewhere on business, I return - she still sits at one point.
I say what are you? She's like - ah! And that's all she could say. She still comes here and says that every time I find some new details from you. And it's very nice.
— And what is your education?
— I am a clothing designer. Higher education in this specialty. I studied at the Chelyabinsk Institute of Design and Service - RBI. I went, took exams from the guys. In general, I am a hairdresser with twenty years of experience, fashion designer, technologist. nine0005
— Did you find out about this room only five years ago?
— Yes, but how could I have known about him earlier? Local people who live in these yards knew about him. True, there are those who think that we pulled something down ... No, guys, everything is as it was, the way it is. It seems to me that of all these cellars we are the lowest. Maybe there is still a corner, but they are all abandoned.
- "Workshop-21", what's the name?
- Well, we somehow got this name.
