When your baby is hungry or thirsty, he will communicate with you in a variety of verbal and non-verbal ways called feeding cues. Keep your newborn with you day and night to learn and watch for her feeding cues.

Baby will be more relaxed and calm if fed before he cries. Your baby will also indicate that she is satisfied and the feeding is completed with her body.

Verbal feeding cues

• Sustained whimpering and crying.
• Crying is a late feeding or waking cue.

Non-verbal feeding cues

• Hands to mouth.
• Licking and/or smacking of lips.
• Moving of arms and legs.

Hunger posture

• Arms and legs are bent.
• Shoulders lifted and tense.
• Hands are fisted.

Signs that your baby is satisfied (satiated)

• Fists relax with fingers open.
• Hands begin to fall below shoulders, down to his side.
• Arms and legs are relaxed.
• Baby will stop swallowing and fall-off or release the breast or bottle on his own.