Babies have lots to say, even if their words are not clear.

From birth, your baby communicates with many sounds, hand movements, and facial expressions. They will let you know when they are happy, excited, curious, sad, uncomfortable, or mad. Your baby will even let you know when they are hungry or full! Any time you feed your baby, it is important to pay attention to their hunger and fullness cues.

Feeding your baby when you first see hunger cues can prevent some crying. Your baby’s hunger cues will get bigger and bigger to try to get your attention. First, your baby may start sucking on their fists, or get squirmy and look uncomfortable, then they will get more irritated and fussy and they may even cry. When you give your baby what they need early on, when you first notice cues, then they will not have to get as upset to get your attention.

Let’s look at some common hunger and fullness cues.

One cue by itself may not show hunger or fullness. Babies will often show multiple cues at one time when they are hungry.

6-7 months

Hunger:

Brings hand to face or sucks on lips, hands, fingers, toes, or even toys. They are saying, “I’m hungry!”
Smiles and looks at you during feeding. They are saying, “I want more!”
Moves head towards spoon or tries to swipe food toward their mouth.

Fullness:

Seals their lips together. They are saying, “No more, thank you.”
They are distracted or looking around. They are saying, “I am curious about the world, and not hungry anymore.”
Turns their head away from the food. They are saying, “That was yummy, and I am all done.”
May get sleepy while eating.

8-12 months

Hunger:

Reaches for spoon or food. They are saying, “Oh look, food! Yum!”
Points to food or gets excited when they are near food. They are saying, “Oh wow! Can I have some?”
Asks for specific food with words or sounds. They are saying, “I know what that is! I want some!”

Fullness:

They slow down eating. They are saying, “I am getting full.”
They close their mouth tightly and push food away. They are saying, “No more, thank you.”
Shakes their head to say “no” or says the word “no.”
Starts playing with their food instead of eating it. They are saying, "I am not hungry anymore."

sign language

Help your child communicate thier needs using sign language. This resource offers a video link to many signs babies and children can use before they are able to use their words.