How to Survive Twin Cluster Feeding
Written by: Lindsay Castiglione, BS, IBCLC
It is 6:00pm, and you just finished nursing your twins. You *finally* get to use the restroom and grab something to eat. You look over, and your twins are gnawing on their hands and starting to fuss… “I just fed you!! You can’t be hungry again!” After a long day meeting everyone’s needs, you just want a few minutes of peace. Instead, you sit down to feed them for what seems like the millionth time that day.
“Is my supply low?”
“Is my milk not keeping them full?”
“Am I starving them?”
You are far from alone if you have had thoughts like this, especially if your twins are going through a period of cluster feeding. The term “Cluster Feeding” refers to a period of frequent, sometimes back-to-back feedings that are different from baby’s usual pattern. If you are the type of twin parent who depends on a schedule to thrive, cluster feeding can bring a lot of anxiety and frustration. Why does this happen? How can you try to move away from it? Read on for real-life tips from a lactation consultant & mom of two sets of twins on getting through these challenging times.
Why Does Cluster Feeding Happen?
As frustrating as it is, cluster feeding is normal infant behavior. Most newborns (and even many older babies!) feed every 2-3 hours, around the clock. As they sleep longer stretches overnight, you may see a more frequent feeding pattern during the day as they try to make up those calories. True cluster feeding is more than that; It would likely feel like you are feeding, burping, have a few minutes of a break and then repeat. It can happen for a few reasons:
Your twins are going through a growth spurt – these are so frequent in the first year! According to Kellymom.com, 7-10 days, 2-3 weeks, 4-6 weeks, 3 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 9 months are all common times to see a growth or development surge. Cluster feeding is nature’s way of making baby get the extra calories they need to fuel growth, as well as giving you a supply boost just when you need it most. Within a few days, your supply will increase to meet the demand your babies are putting on it, and feedings should space out again gradually.
Milk volume & flow are lower at night – The amount of milk available at any given time goes by a circadian rhythm, meaning it is higher (wee hours of the morning) and lower (late afternoon/evening) depending on the time of day. At night, babies may need to nurse more frequently and/or longer to get the same amount of milk they might get in a quick A.M. feeding. Bonus fact: Milk made in the evening contains higher levels of fat and the hormone melatonin, designed to help babies sleep longer.
Overstimulation – a newborn’s young nervous system can only take so much stimulation, and often by the evening they have reached that point. Since nursing is their favorite form of soothing, they may be seeking comfort more than food.
True low supply – Almost all parents dealing with bouts of cluster feeding worry the cause is low supply. In most cases this is not the root cause, but for some it is a genuine concern. As a lactation consultant, the first thing I ask is how many wet/dirty diapers the babies are producing each day, and what their past weight gain patterns have looked like. If you are exclusively breastfeeding and seeing the following, the chances are high this is NOT a supply issue:
· 6+ wet diapers and 3-4 bowel movements per day (this slows considerably after 6-ish weeks)
· Approximately 5-7oz gained weekly (after 4-ish months this slows as well)
The best thing to do if you have genuine concerns about your babies getting enough milk is to see a board certified Lactation Consultant, or IBCLC. They can do a “weighted feeding”, and calculate how much milk your babies are taking in. If it is less than optimal the IBCLC will identify possible cause,s as well as advise you on supplementation, ways to increase your supply, and how to help babies get the most milk possible when nursing.
The good news is that cluster feeding is usually temporary, lasts a sometimes as little as 2-3 days, and isn’t seen much after about 6 months of age.
Here are a few tips on making it though bouts of cluster feeding:
· Look at this as nature’s most amazing supply booster –cluster feeding is WAY more effective than any drink, herb, or food meant to help lactation.
· Put the babies down in a safe place or with another parent/caregiver and take a break if you need it. This can be as simple as going outside for a breath of fresh air, or a quick walk around your block.
· Reach out for support from other breastfeeding/chestfeeding parents. Since cluster feeding is considered normal infant behavior, so many of us have been right where you are. Hearing from other parents that this was a short phase for them, or what they did that helped can be really reassuring.
· Ride it out – I know, this isn’t what many of us want to hear, but for the majority of cluster feeding phases they are over in a few days. The more you can nurse during that time, the sooner it should pass.
· Make time for self-care during this challenging time. Make sure to stay well hydrated, eat nutritious foods, vent to a friend or loved one, and treat yourself to a special activity or other reward for all your hard work.
Hang in there! You’ve got this. If you would like to talk more with Lindsay about your unique feeding challenges, please reach out to schedule a virtual consultation. Clients leave consultations with defined feeding goals and a plan to meet them quickly and effectively using a plethora of personalized strategies. Email Lindsay for more information at lindsay@fullheartscollaborative.com.
Hello parents of multiples!
I’m Lindsay Castiglione, your go-to source for all things twins and breastfeeding.
Long before becoming a board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), I was a twin mama - twice over, to be exact. Through lots of hard work, determination and yes - luck - I was able to nurse each set of twins into toddlerhood. I now help families all over the world optimize twin parenthood through online prenatal multiples classes and virtual lactation consultations.
