06/18/2026
Those early days of motherhood are beautiful and magical, but they also occur while actively recovering. You're sore and possibly a little overwhelmed and then all of a sudden your baby seems like they're not getting enough milk.
Cluster feeding typically starts around a week after birth, and is characterized by frequent feedings. Although it can feel like baby is not getting enough, there can be many reasons for cluster feeds like:
🩵 Growth spurts - babies go through rapid growth physically and developmentally, and those leaps often require more calories
🩵 Growing milk supply - frequent feedings send signals to the mother's body to produce more milk to meet the demands of a growing little one
🩵 Comfort - suckling releases stress relieving hormones in babies that help them feel comfortable and safe
🩵 Stomach size - in the early days, your baby has a stomach about the size of a cherry. They'll naturally require small and more frequent meals to accommodate their tiny bellies.
Cluster feeds don't last forever, but they can feel like it in the moment. If you're in the midst of endless feedings, know you're not alone. 🩵
