Explain Cluster Feeding?

[JLTS925]

hi! first post! I loved reading The Baby Whisperer.

I am hoping someone can elaborate on the cluster feeding in the evenings. Is the point of cluster feeding to get more calories than I'd usually feed my 7 WO before bed or are you supposed to feed baby the same amount as usual but just closer together time frames? For instance, DS usually eats 5oz at 6P and 9P and then bed. So if I wanted to cluster feed do I feed him 5oz at 6P, 8P and 10P? That seems like a lot and I doubt he'd take it all. I'm thinking maybe less ounces every two hours starting in the early evening?

Any help or tips or advice GREATLY appreciated! thanks so much

[michaeljacknnugg]

My understanding of it is from breastfeeding, so hopefully this is of some use. I have no idea how much he took, but like you say we brought the feeds closer together as bedtime got closer.

So on 3hr EASY we were aiming for 7am, 10am, 1pm feeds. I then did a 3pm, 5pm and 7pm (and 9pm until approx 12 weeks). It is just to give them the opportunity to get as many calories in during the day as they choose - and often helps with the fussiness too!

[JLTS925]

thanks for the response! It seems like he is intaking just as many ounces two hours apart as he would if I fed him the usual 3 hours apart but the past few nights I've been feeding closer together in the evening he has been sleeping through the night! I don't really understand why but I'm not going to complain!

[michaeljacknnugg]

That's fab! Sleeping through at this age is a rare thing so enjoy!