How long does cluster feeding go on?

[MummaSue]

Is it pretty much for as long as you breast feed?

DD still cluster feeds like mad (some days) in the afternoons. Yesterday felt like she was feeding for hours - which she kind of was.

I don't mind at all, am just wonderinf.

Thanks
Sue xxx

[onthefly]

Probably just depends. Don't think DS did it much after 3 months. He always fed pretty frequently, though.

[~clover~]

DS did it for a few months. Can't remember exactly. 3 or 4 months.

[Calluna]

DS only stopped cluster feeding 2 weeks ago. Lol
until then he was feeding from 6 to 9 pm every night.

[LimeSlice]

Charlotte would still cluster feed to about 6 months or so (she didn't start solids until 7 months, and 7.5 months until she was on a couple of meals a day) so BF was still all the rage! lol

[OceanPrincess]

I find DS cluster feeds when I can track back to possibly having a low supply... like today, I am tired and dehydrated so he's probably had to work harder to get more milk. The evenings when I am well rested (as much as us mummas ever can be!) and have had lots of fluids, he feeds better and doesn't cluster feed so much.

But he is still going, he's coming up to 4 mths.

[Laranna]

DD stopped cluster feeding around 7-8 months. Occasionally she will still have a bit of a cluster feed in the evening or wee hours of the morning.

[MummaSue]

Cool thanks guys!!

That makes sense about the low supply thing being linked to tiredness and dehydration. I could probably do the same and link the two things!!

xxxx

[Barb Glare]

Here's the scoop for you. Cluster feeding goes on for pretty much as long as you have kids. When they are babies they want @you@ and any smart baby knows that when mummy's nipple is in their mouth, she is right there for them. Breastfeeding settles and comforts then at that time of the day when our natural biorythms are at a low ebb. The snack is good too. Pre schoolers wake up from their afternoon sleep hungry and scratchy - feed them. School kids - have the pantry well stocked. They get home from school and "want, want want" until dinner - toast, biscuits, fruit, drinks. And, yes they could get it themselves - but they still want their mum to listen to the events of the day - the big kids version of cluster feeding. I often long for the time it was as simple as putting a boob in their mouth.