Cluster feeding

Cluster feeding is when your baby wants lots of short feeds over a few hours. It often happens in the early days of breastfeeding.

Cluster feeding is a normal and common behaviour for babies. Your baby may want to cluster feed in the late afternoon or early evening, but it can happen anytime. Some babies like to fill up on milk for a few hours and then have a longer sleep.

If your baby is having a lot of short feeds close together over a few hours, this is known as cluster feeding.

If your baby is cluster feeding, you might also find that they:

• have short rests or sleeps between these feeds
• feed for a few minutes and then pull off and on the breast
• cry and are fussy during this time

Your baby may cluster feed more often in the evening. This may happen because:

• they need to 'fill up' before a longer night-time sleep
• extra feeds in the evening can help maintain your milk supply for the next day
• your baby wants to suck for comfort, especially if they are tired from the day
• your baby may sense that you feel tired or stressed at the end of the day and cry because they want to be close

Cluster feeding may also happen when your baby is going through a ‘growth spurt’ (time of rapid growth and development). They may cluster feed at around 2 to 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months of age. 

Is my baby cluster feeding because I have a low milk supply?

Cluster feeding is common and not usually linked to a low milk supply. 

Your body adjusts the amount of milk you produce based on how often you feed your baby.

When your baby is cluster feeding, it can trigger your body to make more milk. 

If you are worried about your milk supply, there are ways you can check if your baby is getting enough milk by looking for signs, such as:

• how many wet nappies your baby has each day — wet nappies usually increase from about 1 in the first 24 hours to 6 or more per day by the end of the first week
• your baby’s growth — your baby’s doctor or nurse can help you understand if your baby is growing well using growth charts
• your baby’s behaviour — if your baby seems settled after feeding and has periods of being calm and alert 

Cluster feeding can be physically and emotionally tiring. Many parents feel unsure about their milk supply during this time, but these feelings are common and support is available. 

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.

Even when your breasts feel softer, they are still making milk and can continue to provide milk for your baby. They are never completely empty.

Cluster feeding can feel demanding, especially in the evenings. It can help to remember that cluster feeding is common and does not mean you don’t have enough milk. Getting support and taking care of yourself can make this stage easier.

Here are some tips that may help during periods of cluster feeding

• Remind yourself that this stage is usually temporary, even if the evenings feel long right now. 
• Ask for help from family or others in your household. Let them know how you are feeling and what would help, such as preparing meals or helping with other children. 
• Rest when you can, for example when your baby naps in the afternoon. 
• Do household tasks or prepare dinner earlier in the day so your evenings are less busy.
• Make your feeding space comfortable. Keep snacks, water and something to watch or listen to nearby. 
• Stay hydrated and eat regular meals to support your energy needs.
• Take a break if you feel you need one. Ask someone you trust to hold or comfort your baby for a while.

You can also talk with a lactation consultant, a health professional trained to support breastfeeding. They can offer individual advice and practical support.

To find a lactation consultant or maternal, child and family health service near you, use the Pregnancy Birth and Baby Service Finder tool (Opens in new tab).

Cluster feeding is a normal part of many babies' feeding patterns. 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

Your doctor can check you and your baby to see if there is a medical reason for your baby being fussy.

Learn more about cluster feeding (Opens in new tab) on the Australian Breastfeeding Association website. 

Read about breastfeeding (Opens in new tab) on The Royal Women’s Hospital website.  

Visit Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA) for mental health information and support during pregnancy (Opens in new tab) and the first year of parenthood.  

Languages other than English

The NSW Government’s Multicultural Health Communication Service has translated their breastfeeding tips for new mothers (Opens in new tab) into many community languages. 

The Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health (Opens in new tab) has health resources in other languages, including pregnancy and infant feeding information.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Australian Breastfeeding Association has a collection of breastfeeding resources (Opens in new tab) for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families. 

Breastmilk Talk ‘Ngaminjang Djama (Opens in new tab)’ is a video resource where Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people talk about breastfeeding.