Signs That Your Baby Is Hungry

Doctors and lactation specialists recommend feeding your baby whenever he or she is hungry (on demand). As you first start breast-feeding, you may wonder how you will know if your baby is hungry.

Signs that your baby is hungry include:

• Putting his or her hands in or near the mouth.
• Sucking on his or her hands, lips, or clothing.
• Moving his or her head from side to side or facing toward something as if to try to breast-feed (rooting).
• Nuzzling mom or squirming around as if to try to find the breast.
• Moving the tongue in and out of his or her mouth.
• Getting fussy and crying.

Credits

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Revised	April 14, 2011