How do I know if my baby is hungry?

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it” -Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Same goes for baby hunger cues! They can be really subtle. There are “early” and “late” cues. You want to catch your baby showing those early feeding cues so that they (and you) have a more pleasant feeding experience.

The “breast-aurant:” Think about the state in which you do your best eating. Imagine you go to a restaurant. You’re not starving, but interested in the menu. You get your appetizer before major hunger pains have set in. As a result, you eat at a reasonable pace, can enjoy your food, and digest it more easily.

Ever been to restaurant when you’re starving? Or chug your water bottle after being super thirsty? You might wolf down your food or drink, and then feel bloated and unsettled. Same goes for babies! Have you ever tried to drink something while crying? It doesn’t go well.

Baby Hunger Cues  

Early cues (baby’s thinking, “hmm, I’m curious and would love the savor the food here”)

• Licking or smacking lips 

• Opening mouth and sticking out tongue 

• Rooting (turning head side to side & opening mouth) 

• Trying to suck on anything  

More animated cues (baby’s thinking “my stomach is starting to growl. When will the waiter be over with our bread?”)

• Putting hand to mouth 

• Wiggling 

• Squirming 

• Raising arms 

• More rapid breathing 

• Arching the body 

Image source: Queensland Government

Late cues (baby’s thinking, “I’m pissed, I’m starving, I’m crying. I can’t even focus on drinking or eating right now. The last time I ate while crying, I ate too quickly and got a stomachache”)

• Crying 

• Flailing arms 

• Turning red 

• Baby needs to be calmed first

Image source: Queensland Government

In the first few weeks, feed your baby often. Don’t go beyond 3 hours between feeds (from start of feed, to start of next feed, ex: 9 pm, then 12 am, 3 am) until your baby is back at their birth weight. Then talk to your pediatrician about feeding frequency.

How much will my baby eat at one feeding?

Full term babies generally eat:

✅Day 1: ½ -1 teaspoon (2-10 ml)

✅Day 2: 1-3 teaspoons (5-15 ml)

✅Day 3: ½-1oz (15-30ml) 

✅Day 7 to 10: 60-81 oz (2-2.7 oz)

✅Average of 26oz (788ml) per 24 hrs by the end of the 1st month (~2-4 oz per feed) 

Written by Kathleen Stern (bio here). For more infant feeding and parent support, reach out to Kathleen at www.strongnestconsulting.com

Last updated December 15, 2025