(lactation activist)
A Motherlode of Breastfeeding Information
Evening Cluster Feeds
Most women have never heard of "evening cluster feeds" yet almost every breastfeeding baby does that at some point. This is the natural way that a baby increases your milk supply. A breastfeeding baby needs to regulate the supply of milk to match its developmental needs at the time. As breastfeeding is a supply and demand type system, each baby needs to demand the proper supply for itself. Frequently babies will use the "evening cluster feed" method to increase the supply of milk for upcoming growth. Evening is the time of the day where your supply can be the lowest. Mothers often complain of their babies nursing endlessly throughout the evening. This seemingly endless nursing serves an important purpose. This allows the baby to insure that its own supply will not grow smaller. If a baby senses the supply of the mother starting to wane, she will increase feedings to help bump up the supply.
There are many ways to be to cope with continuous evening nursing. Predicting and preparing for the nursing time in the evening is the best way. Having dinner prepared early can make a big difference. Knowing that you will be unavailable for a period of time each evening can be prepared for. Having help in the evenings instead of during the day can take off some of the pressure. Maybe your husband can take baby for an evening stroll and allow you some time to get ready for the long nursing session. Making sure to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day helps you to have an adequate supply in the evening. Rescheduling evening activities for earlier in the day can help to keep you from missing important events.
Sometimes just the knowledge that it is a normal and important process for your baby can make it easier to deal with. Many women think that if your baby is nursing so much she must not be getting enough. This is not true. A baby's nutritional needs change from day to day and breastfeeding is perfectly suited to match his changing needs. Your baby can nurse more or less depending on her needs. A formula-fed baby doesn't have this luxury. She must make do with what she is given each day. The constituents of formula never change or fluctuate like breastmilk. Breastmilk is a dynamic fluid, which adjusts to perfectly meet the baby's needs at the right time. Allowing this system to work at a peak means letting your baby nurse as frequently as she needs to. Baby's naturally increase feeding in the evening in preparation for the long night. Most babies go for a longer duration between feedings at night. They need this extra nursing to help them through the night and to assure another day's supply of milk.
Follow your baby's cue. Sit down, get a drink of water, grab a book and relax. Your baby knows that both of you can use the down time after a hectic day. Let your baby use "evening cluster feeds" to stock up for the night and to keep your supply flowing freely. Prepare for this time so you can truly relax. Take this time to let the stress of the day go. Let those mothering hormones flow. Think of this time not as a time of inactivity but as a gift of relaxation that your baby gives you each evening.
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