By Anna Cave-Bigley
There’s a moment, somewhere between exhaustion and surrender, when you realise that breastfeeding is about so much more than just milk.
I had read about cluster feeds before my first son was born—I knew they were normal, that babies go through these intense periods of wanting to feed constantly. But nothing prepared me for the reality of it. Hour after hour, I sat there, feeding and feeding, wondering if I’d ever get up from that chair again.
And just when I thought we’d settled into a rhythm, the comfort feeding began. The feeds that weren’t about hunger but about connection. The ones where he wasn’t guzzling, just softly sucking, as if the act itself was the only thing anchoring him in the world. I realised then that breastfeeding wasn’t just about nourishment. It was his safe place. His reassurance. His way of saying, ‘I just need you right now.’
At first, it felt overwhelming—being needed that much, that often. But I also realised that, if I was going to spend hours each day doing this, I needed to make it more comfortable for myself, too.
Because while breastfeeding is natural, it’s not always easy. And the right support—the right rituals, the right tools—can turn these endless feeds from something you simply endure into something that actually feels good.
The Reality of Cluster Feeds: When It Feels Like It’ll Never End
The first time my son went through a cluster feeding phase, I thought something was wrong. Surely he couldn’t still be hungry? Surely this wasn’t normal? I remember texting a friend at 3 AM, my baby latched for what felt like the thousandth time that night, asking “Is this normal? Why won’t he stop feeding?”
She told me the words I needed to hear: “Yes, it’s normal. No, your milk isn’t running out. Yes, this will pass.”
Cluster feeding is how babies stimulate milk production during growth spurts—it’s nature’s way of making sure your body knows to make more milk. But that doesn’t make it easy. Your arms ache. Your back hurts. You feel stuck in place for hours.
I learned quickly that, if I was going to survive these marathon feeds, I needed to stay hydrated, keep my energy up, and actually make myself comfortable.
One of the biggest shifts for me was having a warm drink within reach every time I sat down to feed. Not just water (which, let’s be honest, gets boring after the tenth glass), but something that actually supported my body while it worked overtime.
That’s when I developed with Hilary The Breastfeeding Herbata and it became a non-negotiable part of my feeding routine. Every time I settled in for a long feed, I had a warm, nourishing mug in my hands—packed with moringa for iron, oat straw for stress support, and fennel to keep digestion running smoothly.
It wasn’t just about hydration—it was about giving my body back what breastfeeding was taking from it.
And honestly? It changed everything. I stopped feeling so depleted. I had more energy. I actually looked forward to those quiet moments with my tea and my baby, rather than dreading how long the feed would last.
Comfort Feeds: When Nursing Becomes More Than Just Food
As the months passed, I noticed a shift. Not every feed was about hunger. Sometimes, my son just wanted comfort, closeness, a moment of stillness in a big, overstimulating world.
At first, I worried. Was he feeding too often? Should I be cutting back? Was he using me as a pacifier? But then I realised—this was exactly how it was meant to be.
Breastfeeding isn’t just about filling a baby’s stomach. It’s about security. Regulation. Connection. It’s about those late-night feeds when the world is quiet, and your baby sighs softly against you, completely safe. It’s about those moments when they fall asleep at the breast, hand gripping your shirt, unwilling to let go just yet.
And if these moments were going to happen a hundred times a day, then I needed to make them feel as easy and as comforting for me as they were for him.
I started building little rituals around these feeds—ones that made me feel just as nourished as he was. A cup of The SABI Calming Herbata in the evenings, its lemon balm and chamomile easing me into a sense of deep rest. A soft, oversized robe that made those long, sleepy feeds feel warm and cocoon-like. A moment to breathe, reset, and let go of the idea that I should be doing anything else.
Turning Nursing Into a Ritual That Feels Good for You, Too
For so long, I thought of breastfeeding as something I had to get through. But when I started taking care of myself in the process, something shifted. It became a ritual. A time to slow down. A moment to just be, instead of always doing.
And if there’s one thing I wish someone had told me earlier, it’s this: Make breastfeeding comfortable for you, too.
Set up a feeding station with everything you need—your tea, your snacks, a cozy blanket, something to lean back against. Brew a big batch of Breastfeeding Herbata in the morning and sip on it throughout the day. Keep a stash of quick, nourishing foods so you don’t forget to eat. Find a way to make these feeds feel like a break, rather than a task.
Because breastfeeding—whether it’s cluster feeding, comfort feeding, or something in between—isn’t just about sustaining your baby. It’s about sustaining you, too.
And when you feel nourished, when you feel supported, when you make space for yourself in this process? Every feed feels just a little bit better.
HORMONAL & PROUD
Created as a brand to help women navigate the toughest moments in pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum — and practically every stage of life –– The SABI is changing the narrative around our hormones from one of taboo, embarrassment, and loneliness to awareness and even, pride. As more than a wellness brand, The SABI offers a carefully-crafted line of products to carry you through your hormonal journey, including rituals, supportive tools, and ancient herbal remedies that have been tested time and time again by women and now come backed by medicine. The SABI is a blend of science and nature conceived by women who have experienced the joys and deep struggles of bringing a child into the world, the pains of a heavy, difficult period, miscarriage, and difficulty conceiving.
We invite you to get to know your body and its cycles better –– to really understand what is going on inside. Learn to use your hormones to your advantage no matter your stage of life, and know that you can support and balance your hormone levels. We are here to help with the information, understanding and natural tools to support your body and the emotional process along with it.
