cluster feeding question

[Lewis's Mummy]

DS2 cluster feeds of an evening from about 4:30 through until about 8pm give or take an hour or so either side depending on who knows what... DS1 wasn't a cluster feeder at all, so I'm in uncharted waters here a little... and there's probably a really simple answer I can't find for myself through all the fogginess of life with a 1 month old, so some advice please...

When should I change sides during cluster feeding? If we're up to the right side at the start, for example, and he feeds for a few minutes then stops and wants more in another hour or so, I've been sticking with the same side, treating it like it was the same feed... but at some point I have to switch to the other side right? With normal feeds I find it pretty straight forward, just starting the next feed on the other side of course, but with cluster feeding, figuring out when that next feed is is difficult...

[studymum]

Hiya, both of mine have cluster feed till 15 weeks DD2 is still doing it off and on.

If you know the time spand that they generally do it in, and how often, it makes it easier and then you can block feed.

So if it goes for say 4 hours generally, split it in 2, so any feed in the first 2 hours comes from one side, the next 2 hours comes from the other.

Hope that helps

[onthefly]

Sounds pretty normal. I'd just switch whenever it felt right to - ie, if same breast not empty use it again, if one side's obviously very full, then go with that one - try not to stress too much about which one goes next, if he's feeding that often then he'll empty them both eventually.
DS was pretty much feeding continuously for 3-4 hours in the evening, so didn't really have this problem

[Jennifer13]

I think you're doing the right thing - treating it as the same feed for up to two hours and then switching.

FWIW my DD was a cluster feeder and I discovered it quickly led to her being much more settled after she finished and sleeping for a lot longer. So for you this extra feeding at that tricky evening time at least has a pay-off!

Sounds like you're doing a good job of responding to his needs.