Is this normal?? Cluster feed/dream-feed?

Al

Al

My baby and I have been working through some poor latching--shes 3.5 weeks old and had been taking a bottle of pumped for 1-2 feedings from Dad (until we were advised not to, and went back to breast only)

We were getting better with the latching, but 2 days ago she regressed--unlatching & going shallow/nipple-feeding. Yesterday we had pretty steady nursing throughout the day (every 2-3 hours on demand, with some longer comfort sucking here and there).

Come evening (7pm on to midnight) she was cluster feeding like crazy, wanting the boob every few minutes even though I felt drained and empty/soft. She finally stopped nursing & comfort sucking around 12:30am.

I tried to wake her with a diaper change at 2:30am but she was catatonic! She never sleeps that hard...she also didn't cry or murmer throughout the night, when she usually grunts up a storm! She didn't wake me for a feed by 5am, so I put her to my now engorged breast and she nursed well.

My question is: is this normal? Did this clever little one cluster a sort of late-night dreamfeed to tide us all over for a long sleep?? Typically I wake her up to nurse every 3hr. at night because she doesn't seem to stir on her own, which concerns me too.

Any similar experiences? She's been gaining weight (6 lbs. 15 oz. at birth to 7 lbs. at 1-week, 8lbs. this week) and having 6-8 wet and/or poopy diapers each day.

Any advice is helpful! Thank you

130 views • 0 upvotes • 8 comments

COMMENT (8)

pp

Posted at
It’s normal for babies your little girls age to cluster feed. At this point the go through growth spurts and development leaps. A lot of the times after babies cluster feed for long periods of time they will sleep for a good stretch as they wear themselves out she’s just breaking down all the goodness that she’s got from your boob. Also when babies are gaining weight great they tell you not to worry so much about waking them for feeds. Feed on demand when she wants boob offer it her. Also even when your boobs feel “soft and empty” there never really empty. They just feel that way. If baby skips a feed and your boobs feel engorged. You can always hand express just enough to feel comfortable xx

Sh

Posted at
When my daughter has a good cluster feed she will sleep better afterwards, which is normal. Also if your baby is above birth weight, and is producing that amount of wet/dirty nappies then you dont need to wake them. But it is personal preference. I no longer wake my daughter unless my boobs are going crazy and I need her on them lol.

Sh

Sh • Feb 1, 2020
You're welcome. I completely understand I was like it at first! As for your daughters latch is there any reason why it's not as good? Tongue/lip tie? Have you watched videos on YouTube about how to get baby to latch?

Al

Al • Feb 1, 2020
Thanks for the peace of mind--I have no idea what's normal and just freaking out a little 😅

J

Posted at
Have you tried a shield for her latch? Rather than pumping? 💐

Al

Al • Feb 1, 2020
Weened*

Al

Al • Feb 1, 2020
We did, and I got her seemed off the shield (She kept pulling it off & getting frustrated with it until we went straight nipple)

To

Posted at
My daughter is 4 weeks and when she clusterfeeds at night we get a 6 hour stretch of sleep. When she eats every 2-3 hours before bed she sleeps 4 hours. They say clusterfeeding before bed is then tanking up to sleep.