How to tell if your baby is hungry

Your baby will give you cues when she is hungry:

squirms or has rapid eye movement while the eyes are closed
roots or turns her head when her cheek is stroked
opens her mouth and searches
smacks her lips
makes sucking movements
puts her hand in her mouth
cries (the last cue)

Having your baby stay in your room will make it easier to watch for the following feeding cues.

You don't have to worry about overfeeding your baby. Your baby regulates the amount she takes in at each feeding.

Source: Allina Health's Patient Education Department, Guide for the Care of Children: Ages Birth to 5 Years Old, fifth edition. For inclusivity, this guide uses "them" and "their."

Reviewed By: Allina Health's Patient Education Department experts, including the Pediatric Department of Allina Health Coon Rapids Clinic

First Published: 02/01/2010

Last Reviewed: 01/01/2016