Why does my baby want to breastfeed more often at certain times?

Cluster feeding refers to when a baby asks to feed very frequently at certain times of day. For example, a baby may have a rough rhythm of feeding every 2 or 3 hours, then shorten the gaps between feeds at certain points in the day. As surprising as it may seem, this feeding pattern is normal and could even be described as expected [1]. Cluster feeding is therefore part of normal breastfeeding.

The signs that your baby needs cluster feeds are often the following: 
- They show classic hunger cues and may cry until they are breastfed
- They are feeding continuously or very frequently 
- There is no problem — your baby is doing well 
- They are wetting their nappies as usual.

This feeding behaviour is more commonly observed in the late afternoon, particularly in newborns. They may ask to feed for 2, 3, 4 or even 5 hours at a stretch, with a feed every 20 or 30 minutes.

In any case, bear in mind that this feeding pattern is consistent with normal breastfeeding and does not in any way indicate that you are not producing enough milk. If you have any doubts, you can monitor your baby's weight gain. 

Clustered feeds and feeds at irregular times are unsettling in a social context where the norm is formula feeding, with meals quickly structured so as not to risk impairing the digestion of an artificial milk developed from cow's milk (far less digestible than breast milk). There is a strong tendency to favour a set number of feeds for formula-fed babies, which makes it puzzling to find that a breastfed baby does not follow the same pattern of one feed every 3 or 4 hours, for example, even though it is also a newborn. The question of whether the baby is receiving enough nourishment when feeding more frequently than before then naturally comes to mind.

Jacqueline Kent and her colleagues collected data on lactation and feeding frequency in 71 women exclusively breastfeeding on demand a healthy infant aged one to six months. A feed representing the volume taken from one breast, a meal corresponds either to a single-breast feed, a coupled feed (second breast suckled less than thirty minutes after the end of the first breast feed) or a clustered feed (the infant returns to the first breast less than 30 minutes after the end of the second breast feed). Meal frequency ranged from 4 to 13 (mean 7.9 ±1.8) per 24 hours [2].

In the first days of life, your baby feeds regularly as they drink small amounts. They are learning to coordinate suckling, swallowing and breathing, and the quantities of colostrum and then transitional milk you produce are perfectly suited to this learning phase. Over time, your milk supply increases, you produce mature milk and your baby receives more at each feed. They suckle larger amounts and gradually space out their feeds. However, they may start wanting to feed much more frequently, and for a number of different reasons! 

Simply put: your baby needs to be soothed!
Most babies find breastfeeding very comforting, especially if they have been overstimulated throughout the day!

A great many processes take place in a baby's brain during the first year. This can lead babies to change their rhythm from one day to the next. Some people worry that the baby may develop bad habits — yet this is simply not the case. Babies have random feeding patterns and this is part of their normal development. Moreover, if they are overtired or overwhelmed by emotions, the best way to help them settle will be the breast. There is nothing wrong with this — quite the opposite, in fact; it brings nothing but benefits.

Indeed, suckling during breastfeeding in newborns is associated with the release of oxytocin by the infant, which is the hormone of love and attachment [11].

In all cases, whatever the reasons for these more frequent feeds — otherwise known as cluster feeding — it is important to let your baby feed freely, as this will help maintain your milk supply. Cluster feeding is normal and you should not rely on a strict feeding schedule — feed your baby on demand. 

It is possible that your baby may have difficulty feeding. This is often due to a positioning issue or insufficient milk production. The baby receives less milk than they are seeking and feeds in a disorganised way. The first signs of a poor latch are pain during feeding or cracked nipples, and the fact that your baby is not gaining weight despite frequent feeds. They may also spend more than an hour feeding each time and yet their weight gain remains modest. It is a good idea to consult a specialist who will be able to determine why the baby is not feeding well.

For correct latching, you need:
- your baby has their tummy pressed against you; if you are worried they may be struggling to breathe, try pressing their bottom in a little more or lifting your breast,
- your baby takes a good mouthful of breast (nipple and areola) in their mouth, in order to properly stimulate milk production. 
- your baby's lower jaw is far enough away from the breast to carry out the suckling action correctly.

During breastfeeding, if your baby is suckling and swallowing milk regularly, then all is well!

If your baby is not latching well, seek advice from an IBCLC lactation consultant.

There's no need to set a strict feeding schedule — breastfeeding on demand is the way to go!

According to the Haute Autorité de Santé: "There is no demonstrated benefit to reducing the number and duration of feeds, nor to setting a minimum interval between 2 feeds. Indeed, restricting feeds is associated with earlier cessation of breastfeeding, a higher frequency of nipple pain and engorgement, and more frequent use of breast milk substitutes. There are inter-individual differences in the frequency, duration and regularity of feeds. This makes it necessary for the infant to be close to its mother 24 hours a day." [12] 

Science has not yet reached a consensus on what defines infant colic. Many babies do indeed have episodes of unexplained crying that can appear suddenly and often occur in the evening.

Infantile colic is a benign condition in which an infant experiences unexplained crying. It affects approximately 10 to 40% of infants worldwide and peaks at around six weeks of age, with symptoms disappearing by around three to six months [13].

In these moments, babies are not always soothed by breastfeeding, although it is never harmful to them. Indeed, a baby cannot drink too much breast milk.

Cluster feeding is normal, particularly in the early weeks to maintain milk production, or during growth spurts. The key is to continue feeding on demand, even if it takes time and can be very tiring… To support your body and your energy levels, you can take a postpartum supplement multivitamins.