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Understanding your baby’s hunger and fullness signs
From birth to the first 2 months
Babies cannot talk, so they use signs or cues to tell you when they are hungry, full, tired, or need comfort. Learning these signs helps feeding feel easier and helps your baby feel safe and understood.
How often babies feed
In the first few weeks, your newborn baby will want to be fed every 1 to 5 hours.
Most babies will breastfeed about 8 to 12 times every 24 hours. These times can be different between babies, so it is always best to follow your baby’s hunger signs.
Young babies will wake a few times a night to feed. If your baby does not wake up through the night, ask your child and family health nurse for advice.
Signs your baby is hungry
Try to feed your baby before they start crying, because crying is a late sign of hunger.
Signs your baby may be hungry
- stirring or wiggling around
- opens their mouth
- moves their head toward your breast
- makes sucking noises
- sucks their fingers or puts hands in mouth
- stretches their body out
- moves around more than usual
- cries or gets fussy and unsettled.
If your baby is crying or unsettled, they may be trying to tell you something like they are tired or need a nappy change.
Try to avoid giving your baby a dummy when they are younger than 4 weeks of age. Dummies can make it hard to see signs that your baby is hungry and this may cause you to delay or miss feeds. This can then cause your body to make less breast milk.
Signs your baby needs a break or is full
- closes mouth
- turns head away from breast or bottle
- stops sucking
- spreads their fingers and toes
- spills milk out of their mouth.
If you see these signs, give them a break from feeding. After a break, offer the breast or bottle again. Your baby will show you when they are finished by keeping their mouth closed or turning their head away.
Baby feeding cues (signs) - TERM (health.qld.gov.au)
What is responsive feeding?
Responsive feeding means feeding your baby when they are hungry and stopping when they are full. Babies know when they are hungry and full. You do not need to follow a feeding schedule.
Responsive feeding:
Helps your baby feel safe and secure
Builds a strong bond between you and your baby
Helps your baby learn healthy eating habits
Helps prevent overfeeding
How to practice responsive feeding
Watch and respond
Look for hunger signs and feed early
Pause or stop when your baby shows they are full
Never force your baby to finish a bottle or feed
Feeding tips
Hold your baby close and make eye contact
Let your baby set the pace
Take breaks if needed
It is okay if they do not finish the bottle
Create a calm feeding space
Keep feeding time quiet and relaxed
Hold your baby skin-to-skin when possible
If you are worried about how much milk your baby is getting, talk to your child and family health nurse or your family doctor.
Important safety information
Do not prop feed (using pillows or blankets to hold the bottle in your baby’s mouth). This can cause choking, suffocation, ear infections, and tooth decay.
Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle. This can cause choking, chest infections, ear infections, tooth decay and sleep problems.
Always hold your baby while feeding.
Understanding your baby’s crying
Crying is how babies communicate. They may be:
Hungry
Tired
Bored
Uncomfortable
Wanting a cuddle
Try comforting your baby with a nappy change, holding, rocking, or cuddling before feeding if you are unsure.
Be kind to yourself
No parent gets it right all the time. It is normal to miss signs sometimes. Being a “good-enough” parent is enough.
If feeding feels hard or confusing, it is okay to ask for help. Support is always available, and it is never too late to learn.
You can find parenting programs across NSW or ask your child health nurse.
More resources
Remember
By watching and responding to your baby’s signs, you help them feel loved, safe, and understood. Trust yourself and enjoy getting to know your baby.
Watch these videos to learn more about picking up on your baby’s cues. Cues are signs your baby gives to tell you what they are feeling or needing.
