It can feel like a guessing game sometimes, but our little ones often give us signals long before they start crying when they’re hungry. Early hunger cues might include rooting, lip smacking, or bringing hands to mouth. As hunger progresses, you might see squirming, fussiness, or turning head side to side. Crying is usually a late hunger cue, meaning baby is already quite distressed. Recognizing these earlier signs can make feeding times much calmer for everyone.
What are some of the subtle or obvious hunger cues you’ve noticed your baby displays, and how have you learned to ‘read’ them?
My little one (3 months) starts with really enthusiastic hand-sucking and then turns her head side to side vigorously. If I miss those, the cries come quickly! I’ve found it’s so much easier to get a good latch or calm her for a bottle if I catch her during the hand-sucking phase. It’s like a peaceful protest before the full-blown tantrum.
For my 6-week-old, it’s a very specific ‘eh, eh, eh’ sound she makes, almost like a little whimper, and then she’ll start rooting around like a tiny bloodhound. It’s definitely taken some practice to distinguish it from other fussiness, but now I know that sound means feed me now! It’s amazing how quickly you learn their unique language.