How to Recognize If a Newborn is Hungry

Newborns eat often. Their tiny tummies can't hold a lot of food at one time, so they have to eat at least every two to three hours. Breastfed babies may even eat every hour since breast milk digests more quickly than formula. Knowing the typical feeding schedule for a newborn is one way to meet your baby's needs, but learning how to read your baby's cues can help you learn when he's hungry even when it's not on schedule.

Instructions

    • 1

      Look for early signs of hunger. The Kelly Mom website says these may include smacking the lips, opening and closing the mouth and sucking on the lips, tongue, hands, toys or clothing. Other signs include bringing the hands to the face, clenching the hands and flexing the arms and legs. Responding to these early signs can keep your baby from becoming very upset from hunger.

    • 2

      Note active signs of hunger. These may include rooting, or moving the mouth around to look for the breast, puckering the mouth as if to suck, sticking out the tongue, nuzzling your breast, squirming, fussing, breathing fast or hitting you on the arm or chest.

    • 3

      Respond before you note late signs of hunger. These may include moving the head from side to side and crying. HealthyChildren.org says your baby may cry from hunger when he wakes up, but this cry can quickly escalate to screaming -- which can make it harder to calm your baby. By feeding your baby before these late signs of hunger appear, you can keep him from getting worked up, which can lead to gas or spitting up.

    • 4

      Check on your baby when you know it is getting close to time to feed. You will be able to notice any signs of hunger early, before your baby becomes upset or inconsolable.

    • 5

      Stock formula and other feeding supplies so you have them on hand when your baby is hungry. If you wait until you see active signs of hunger to begin preparing a bottle, your baby may quickly move into late hunger and become very upset. Get your supplies ready when you see early signs of hunger or when you know your baby is about to be ready to eat, based on the feeding schedule.

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