11 Signs Baby Is Hungry

Babies cry for several different reasons, including when they are hungry. And newborns seem to be hungry all the time. So, how do you know when your baby is crying because he is hungry? It is normal for new parents to become overwhelmed, not knowing what their baby needs. Your little one knows how to tell you what it is they need. Don’t be too hard on yourself. With time, you will learn to understand what your baby’s cries mean. However, in the meantime, here are 11 signs baby is hungry and needs to be fed.

11 Signs Baby Is Hungry

By the time your baby is crying, he is usually upset or very hungry, as crying is a late signal of hunger in babies. A baby will start signaling that he is hungry by giving several types of hunger cues before he resorts to crying. Here are some of the early signs of hunger that your baby may exhibit:

• Babies get excited when they think about food, so your baby might seem more active and awake.
• He will turn his head to the side as if he is looking for food.
• Opening and closing his mouth, almost like a little bird waiting for his parents to feed him.
• He might turn his head towards your chest or breast, or baby bottle.
• He might make sucking motions with his mouth even when not having his pacifier.
• He might drool more, smack his lips, or stick out his tongue.
• Hunger babies tend to suck on their fingers, clothing, or hands.
• Frustrated or impatient babies start clenching their hands into fists.
• He will stare at you and follow your movements around the room with his eyes as if you are his main source of food.
• He might give you a distress look or furrowed brow, as if he is asking when it is time to eat.
• According to the Dunstan baby language, making a “neh” sound before he starts crying is a sign of hunger.

What Happens When Babies Get Hungry?

Hunger pangs in a baby’s tiny stomach will generally wake him up, even if he is in a deep slumber. If your baby  is sleeping longer than usual, or longer than he should, consult a feeding guide or chart to see if he is feeding regularly enough according to his age.

The rule of thumb for newborns is that they do not frequently sleep for four hours or longer at any given time. Occasional long naps like this are fine, especially if he is tired and mom needs some shut-eye too. However, if your little one frequently chooses sleep over feeding, then you might need to talk to your pediatrician to ask if you must gently wake your baby to feed.

How Do You Know If Your Baby is Feeding Sufficiently?

Moms are often unsure about whether their babies are getting enough milk, particularly if their babies are exclusively breastfed. Don’t stress too much. Your baby will soon learn how to signal that he needs more milk. More importantly, find a position that works well for you both as far as a good latch is concerned. So, that you are ready when you spot his hunger cues.

How Often Do Newborns Feed?

A newborn baby will feed regularly, typically every two to three hours, or sometimes more. He should feed up to twelve times during a 24-hour period. This regular sucking signals your body to produce more milk to feed your little one.

Babies have various signals to tell you that they are not hungry or fed. Here are some of the signs that signals he does not want to feed.

• Pushing away from the bottle or breast.
• Closing his mouth and not latching on, or continuing sucking.
• His hands are unclenched and relaxed.
• His body is completely relaxed, almost a little limp.
• He looks content, sometimes even smiling.
• He looks around and shows interest in other objects or playing.
• He appears drowsy and ready to doze off again.

Conclusion

We hope this post sharing signs baby is hungry has been helpful. Frequent checkups with your pediatrician, including getting your baby weighed is essential to see if he is gaining weight according to his age. The expected weight gain for babies is around 5.5 to 8.5 ounces (155 – 240 grams) each week during the first four months after birth. Some babies might even gain more which is also good. As long as your little one is gaining weight steadily and growing, you know they are getting enough milk.