Snuggling close to mom in a sling or baby carrier is instantly soothing for many babies. With practice, you can even nurse on the go to give yourself a change of scenery during long evenings of cluster feeding. Click the photo to check out our award-winning Sublime Nursing Bra. If sitting on the couch for hours is driving you crazy, try nursing in a new position.
For some extra rest, you can attempt to nurse in the side-lying or laidback positions. As mentioned above, try nursing while your baby is in a sling; that way, you can move around a bit and use your hands. Using pillows can also allow for some arms-free feeding sessions. Plan on being at home or in another setting that is comfortable and safe for both you and your baby. Although cluster feeding can seem endless, the good news is that in just a few months it will be nothing more than an afterthought.
For the moment, forgive yourself for letting a few household chores slide. Forget the rest of the world exists, and focus on the simplicity, beauty, and serenity of this time with your precious baby. While it can be exhausting, cluster feeding is completely normal and temporary. Know any other tips for coping with cluster feeding? Please comment below! Disclaimer: This content is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This is very common, and often occurs in the evenings. For example, your baby may nurse every hour or even constantly between 6 and 10 PM, then have a longish stretch of sleep at night — baby may even sleep all night.
It has nothing to do with your breastmilk or your mothering. Let baby nurse as long and as often as he will. Also, keep in mind that formula fed babies experience fussy periods in the evening, too — fussy evenings are common for all young babies, no matter how they are fed. The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine spells this out in their supplementary feeding guidelines :. They could be frustrated by the slow flow and go on and off the breast more often. Mastering breast compressions—pressing down on your boob while the baby sucks—can help, because it expresses the milk faster and more efficiently.
Sometimes babies who seem ravenous are having a growth spurt which lasts a few days. To make cluster feeding more manageable, get things done earlier in the day and lean on your partner for meals. Wegiel would make dinner while her older kids were at school and then reheat it. Also be prepared to lower your household standards. Feeling marooned on the couch? Nursing or pumping often is the best way to maintain supply and ensure your baby is getting all the breast milk he or she needs.
And while many moms find cluster feeding difficult to manage, know that over time, your baby will nurse less often and for less time, especially after introducing solids. You know the drill. Your baby is happy and content all day, and then dinner-time hits, and suddenly he or she is ornery, fussy, and seemingly inconsolable. This type of fussiness often goes hand-in-hand with cluster feeding. So, what gives? The good news is that many babies outgrow this fussy stage by 3 to 4 months old.
In the meantime, be patient and know that every ounce of milk and love your little one gets is precious.
0コメント