Cluster feeding refers to a pattern of

breastfeeding Breastfeeding, also known as nursing, is the process where breast milk is fed to a child. Infants may suck the milk directly from the breast, or milk may be extracted with a Breast pump, pump and then fed to the infant. The World Health Orga ...

where an

infant In common terminology, a baby is the very young offspring of adult human beings, while infant (from the Latin word ''infans'', meaning 'baby' or 'child') is a formal or specialised synonym. The terms may also be used to refer to juveniles of ...

feeds frequently in short intervals over a period of time, often during the evening or late afternoon. This phenomenon is a common behavior in

newborns In common terminology, a baby is the very young offspring of adult human beings, while infant (from the Latin word ''infans'', meaning 'baby' or 'child') is a formal or specialised synonym. The terms may also be used to refer to juveniles of ...

and young infants and is often associated with growth spurts,

developmental milestones Child development stages are the theoretical milestones of child development, some of which are asserted in nativist theories. This article discusses the most widely accepted developmental stages in children. There exists a wide variation ...

, and the body's adjustment to the demands of breastfeeding. However, cluster feeding without such reasons may also be a sign of issues such as delayed lactogenesis, low milk production, or an improper latch.

References

{{pediatrics-stub Breastfeeding