Signs That Baby Is Still Hungry

Although your baby can’t talk yet, they have several ways of communicating their needs. By paying attention to the subtle cues, you can begin to understand your baby’s needs and respond accordingly. The signs below will help you know if your baby’s still hungry.

It’s difficult to know exactly how much milk your baby’s getting if they’re breastfeeding. If your baby appears to still be hungry after a feed, it’s natural to wonder whether they are getting enough. The answer isn’t always to give them more milk, but to work out why your baby is still hungry. This article will help you to spot baby hunger cues.

How to know if my baby is still hungry

Although every baby is different, a good indication your baby is still hungry is if they cry for a feed more often and feed for longer when you do offer them their milk.

As your baby grows, so will their appetite which can make it difficult to keep up with a feeding routine for long. At around 6 weeks of age, many babies go through a growth spurt which can mean they are hungrier for up to a week. Being prepared for this growth spurt and subsequent increase in appetite means you can simply increase the frequency or amount you feed them, and allow the pattern to settle back after a few days.

Too early to wean

Because an increased appetite is one of the first signs a baby is ready to wean, many mums wonder whether their hungry baby is in fact ready for solids. However, weaning is not recommended until around 6 months, and definitely not before 17 weeks, because up until then, your baby’s digestive system is too immature for anything more than breastmilk or infant formula.

Is it really hunger?

Some babies like to suck simply for comfort’s sake, even if they’re not hungry. Your baby is too young too differentiate between their need for food and their need for comfort. Once they learn that sucking relieves their need for food, they can confuse it and think that sucking will also relieve their need for comfort. Demanding milk may actually be a request for comfort or attention, so if your baby seems to want something and you don’t think they’re hungry, try a cuddle instead.

If you have any questions about when to start weaning, you can always call our Careline team on 009647723342222 between the hours of 9am and 5pm Saturday to Thursday.