So mama, you are going to breastfeed! Well, here’s the thing, it’s not without its drawbacks but it is without question best for your baby. It’s also not in question whether or not it is a wonderful thing for you! Here’s something I’d never heard of before breastfeeding: cluster feeding. But, we’ll touch on that more in a minute!
The bonding with your baby that happens during breastfeeding is so irreplaceable.
I cried for weeks when I had to stop breastfeeding. My milk supply dried up when I got to my second trimester in my next pregnancy and I was heart broken over it. I haven’t been that way with the closing of any other phase in my baby’s life!
Hi! I’m Meghan and I’m a military wife, stay at home mama, and homemaker and today I want to talk with you about breastfeeding!
Breastfeeding is magical.
Cluster feeding is a challenge.
When breastfeeding, you can expect your uterus (therefore tummy) to start looking more deflated a lot more quickly because of the oxytocin released.
Most women who breastfeed report ease in weight loss following pregnancy.
Breastfeeding is also known to lower the risk in mothers of type II diabetes, breast and ovarian cancers, and high blood pressure.
Those are just the benefits for mom. Benefits for baby are endless!
Breast milk also contains stem cells which can help repair babies bodies! There are so many benefits to going this route.
That being said, breastfeeding is known to be a challenge and comes with drawbacks.
If you are a working mom, this can be tough to keep up! Constantly feeding and pumping when you aren’t with your baby 24/7 is no picnic!
Even if you are with your baby all the time, there are times when breastfeeding can be mentally challenging. For me, that time was cluster feeding.
I had no idea what cluster feeding was or what it was a part of breastfeeding. Once I looked it up though, it made complete sense.
Once your baby starts needing more milk for a growth spurt/what have you: they start feeding like crazy! For hours on end my baby wanted me.
When this is happening it is easy to feel trapped and a prisoner to your decision. I can’t say that cluster feeds tempted me to quit, but I was definitely quite the concoction of hormones and hateful for my husband to deal with!
Add that to a little bit of postpartum depression or anger and you’re sure to be miserable. So is your poor spouse! I’m here to help you both get through this without losing your minds.
Here’s my best advice on what to do while you’re feeling couch bound with your sweet bundle.
Find a show to binge while your baby is cluster feeding.
If you’re going to have to be trapped on the couch, might as well be enjoying your visit there!
Anything you can do to help yourself relax is important.
This will definitely be one of the most stressful times you experience during breastfeeding! You want to add to that only relaxation. Not stress.
Watching something that either you’ve seen before or you find predictable and lighthearted is definitely the way to go.
Now isn’t the time for suspense, stress, and I’m going to be honest here watching anything you don’t want to! (You can run and tell your husband I said so, I’ll take one for the team.)
Read a book with your baby.
Did you have a special childhood book that you cannot wait to share with your baby? Now’s the perfect time.
Introduce your child now before they even comprehend it! It’s fun for you, and great for baby’s language development.
This can really pass the time and keep you engaging with your baby. Truly was one of my favorites when I had a newborn.
I loved the Tale of Despereaux and Peter Pan. Both are perfect for sharing with my baby boy and I leapt at the opportunity to enjoy it with him.
Even if he totally didn’t get it yet.
Pamper yourself when your baby is cluster feeding! Take baby to the bath with you. Bubbles, candles, and beverage of choice coming right up!
Swim diaper x1.
Non-alcoholic drink of choice x1.
Baby x1.
Mama x1.
Candle x5.
Boom. Bubble bath time.
When was the last time you took a bubble bath mama? It’s been too long I’m pretty sure.
Whelp, now’s the time.
Any time baby needs something from you that requires you to be stationary: capitalize on that!
You will thank me later!
Now would also be a great time to slip the baby into a wrap and apply a face or hair mask. Do something that makes you feel good because this is a time when breastfeeding can get stressful.
I know I got grumpy really quickly at this point postpartum and I’m thankful for the grace I was extended by my husband.
Looking back I can see that minimizing my stress was absolutely necessary in order to be less of a terror.
With our next child, I’ll be wiser.
Read and meditate on scripture.
Find a few scriptures that are encouraging and speak on perseverance and self-control and read and pray on them continuously.
God gives us encouragement to lean on him throughout scripture. He alone can prosper us and satisfy our wants. He alone can help us reach our goals. Not by our own strength but by His.
Here are a few scriptures listed below you can turn to at this time for encouragement and meditation.
- 1 Chronicles 16:11: Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.
- Galatians 6:9: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
- Romans 5:3-5: Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
- Psalms 86:11: Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Don’t take on any new obligations while you have a baby who is cluster feeding.
If you have a baby who is transitioning into a growth spurt, today is not the day to volunteer to help break down church Christmas decor.
In life there is a season for everything but this time may not be the most involved you ever are at church!
Or any other programs you’re involved in for that matter.
You are practicing selfless service already by giving your baby an all access pass to dominate your day! There is only so much you can do for everyone else and right now you’re already doing a lot!
Don’t spread yourself too thin or set yourself up for disappointment by setting the bar at a level that is unreachable by you at this phase in life!
There will be a day when you don’t have a breastfeeding bundle anymore.
Then, there will be more you to give! Let everything have its time.
Don’t try to get anything done! It will be there for you when baby is done.
This is a hard thing for me to admit, being a bit of a type A mama. But sometimes, you can’t do it all!
I don’t know what’s on your plate! Maybe it’s laundry, maybe it’s dishes.
Some things can wait! If everyone still has socks and underwear, it can wait.
If you are completely out of dishes but you have a stockpile of solo cups and paper plates, break ‘em out ma! Now is the time for disposable cutlery to shine. If you aren’t completely out yet, let them pile up. They will still be there tomorrow.
Read on to find out what you can do if it can’t wait. Say everyone really is out of socks and underwear.
Ask for help.
This is one of those times when it is totally acceptable to ask for help. Whether that be from a spouse, parent, or church member, if you have to put food on the table but you can’t leave your couch, that’s a problem.
If you need to catch your laundry up or need to catch up your dishes and you can’t do it, it either has to wait or you need help!
Some things can’t wait! That’s when you turn to other people in your life for help!
This is why they say it takes a village. It’s so important to ask for help when you need it and you may need to ask for help to survive the heavy task of cluster feeding!
I hope you leave here today encouraged, informed, and prepared to manage the stress that can come with cluster feeding!
I hope to see you back on the blog sometime soon. If you’re looking for more mama content like information on cloth diapering, click here!
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