Health and wellness, parenting, nutrition, fitness

This content is reviewed and approved by our midwife Lydia Schorah.

If you’ve found yourself trapped under a tiny but determined newborn who refuses to let go of your breast for hours on end, welcome to the world of cluster feeding. If you’ve ever questioned whether it’s possible for a baby to actually drink that much milk, or whether you’ll ever sleep again, you’re not alone.

Cluster feeding is one of those things that isn’t always mentioned in the baby books but hits you like a truck in those early weeks. It’s exhausting, confusing, and let’s be honest—sometimes just plain overwhelming. So let’s talk about it. Let’s talk about what it really looks like, why it happens, and most importantly, how you can survive it.

What is cluster feeding?

Cluster feeding is when your baby wants to nurse back-to-back, often in the evenings, but sometimes at random times throughout the day. Instead of the typical 2-3 hour stretches between feeds, you might find yourself feeding every 30 minutes—or nonstop for what feels like an eternity.

It usually peaks between two to nine weeks, with many babies going through especially intense spurts around the three-week and six-week marks. The good news? It doesn’t last forever (even though it absolutely feels like it will in the moment).

Why do babies cluster feed?

First, let’s clear something up: cluster feeding is not a sign that you’re not making enough milk. In fact, it’s usually a sign that everything is working exactly as it should be.

Here’s why babies do it:

The emotional toll of cluster feeding

Let’s be real—cluster feeding can feel relentless. You sit down to nurse, thinking you might be able to watch an episode of your favourite show, and suddenly three hours have passed, your dinner is cold, and you’re still in the same spot. Your arms ache, your nipples are sore, and you’re wondering how something so small can be so insatiable.

You might feel touched out, drained (literally and figuratively), or even resentful. And then, of course, comes the guilt—because shouldn’t you be soaking in every moment of this newborn phase?

If this sounds familiar, please know that you are not alone. Feeling overwhelmed does not mean you don’t love your baby. Feeling frustrated does not mean you’re failing. It means you’re human, and cluster feeding is hard.

How to survive cluster feeding

Since you can’t really avoid it, here are a few ways to make cluster feeding a little easier:

When to seek help

While cluster feeding is normal, there are some signs that might indicate something else is going on:

If any of these apply, reach out to a lactation consultant or your baby’s doctor. There could be an underlying issue like a latch problem, tongue tie, or low milk supply that needs addressing.

Where to go for support

You’re doing an amazing job

Cluster feeding can make you feel like all you do is nurse, and honestly, in those early weeks, that’s not far from the truth. But it doesn’t mean you’re failing or that something is wrong. It means your baby is growing, your body is doing its job, and you are showing up for your little one in the best way possible.

So if you’re in the thick of it right now, know this: You’re not alone. You’re not failing. And you will get through this—one (very long) nursing session at a time.

If you need more support with breastfeeding you can use our chat box on the membership dashboard to ask a question to our team of midwives.

This content is reviewed and approved by our midwife Lydia.