Understanding newborn feeding cues

Welcoming a newborn into the world is a beautiful experience, but it also brings uncertainty, especially when it comes to feeding. New parents often ask, how to tell if a newborn is hungry? The answer lies in observing subtle behaviours known as feeding cues.

These early signals can help you better understand when to feed your baby and how much milk they need to satisfy their hunger. Recognising infant feeding cues supports responsive parenting, bonding, and calm, happy feeds.

Before diving deeper, here’s a quick overview of what you’ll learn in this article:

What are newborn feeding cues?
What are the differences between early, mid, and late hunger cues?
Why is it best to respond early to signs that your baby is hungry?
How do you interpret and respond to infant hunger cues?
How do you tell when your baby is full and satisfied?

What are newborn feeding cues?

Young infants or newborns can’t use words, but they’re still brilliant communicators. Feeding cues are the ways babies signal their readiness to feed. These signs usually appear in stages as your infant becomes hungrier, from quiet gestures to more obvious demands such as crying.¹

Rather than creating a stringent breastfeeding schedule, it is generally recommended to feed your baby when they communicate that they want to be fed – this is known as responsive feeding.²

Learning what newborn feeding cues are helps you feed your baby at the right time and avoid unnecessary tears. Whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, paying attention to infant feeding cues encourages smoother, more successful feeds.

Early feeding cues to look out for

The most peaceful feeding experiences often begin with recognising early feeding cues. At this stage, your baby is calm and giving gentle signs of hunger, such as:¹

Sucking on clothes or hands
Licking their lips
Opening the mouth
Turning the head from side to side (known as rooting)
Becoming more alert or stirring from sleep

These are early signs newborn is hungry. Acting at this point helps avoid the stress and fussiness that can follow when feeding cues newborns display are missed. It also makes latching and feeding easier for both of you.¹

Mid-infant hunger cues to look out for

If you miss early signals, your baby will soon give mid-stage or active hunger cues. These behaviours are more energetic and obvious:

Rooting becomes stronger and more frantic¹
Stretching³
Increased body movements (i.e. head bobbing)¹
Light fussing or grumbling starts¹

At this point, your baby is asking more assertively for food. Understanding these infant hunger cues correctly and on time helps you respond before they become too upset to feed.

Late-stage signs a baby is hungry

Crying is often thought of as the primary hunger signal, but it’s actually a late-stage cue.¹ When all other feeding cues are ignored, your baby is likely to resort to more demanding responses as a last attempt to communicate. Late hunger cues include:

Intense crying or screaming¹
Turning red³
Agitated body movements¹

Feeding at this stage can be more difficult, as your baby will be too upset to feed. You will need to first comfort and calm your baby before attempting to feed.¹

If you’ve been wondering how to tell if a newborn is hungry, aim to catch hunger cues well before this stage. Noticing earlier signs your baby is hungry can create a more relaxed feeding routine for both you and your baby.

How to respond to infant hunger cues effectively

Once you recognise infant feeding cues, respond gently and consistently. Hold your baby close, ensure they are calm and awake, and prepare to feed in a relaxed environment. If breastfeeding, offer your breast when you see early feeding cues. For bottle-feeding, ensure your baby is alert and positioned comfortably.

Responding quickly helps build trust and lets your baby know their needs will be met. Over time, this consistent responsiveness strengthens the emotional connection between you and your baby.⁴

If you prefer to bottle feed, using a bottle that supports a natural latch, like the Philips Avent Natural Response Baby Bottle, can help you and your little one achieve calm, comfortable feeds, every time.

Hunger cues: How to tell your newborn is full

Just as babies signal hunger, they also show when they’ve had enough. Understanding these signs helps avoid overfeeding and unnecessary discomfort. Fullness cues include:⁵

Your baby is closing their mouth
Turning away from the breast or bottle
Relaxing their hands or body

Paying attention to signs a newborn is hungry creates a foundation of trust and emotional safety. When babies learn that their subtle cues are noticed and respected, they become more settled and secure. This reduces crying, supports feeding efficiency, and boosts parental confidence.³

Understanding the feeding cues newborns communicate also makes feeding less stressful. Rather than guessing or waiting for cries, you develop a strong, responsive rhythm with your baby, strengthening your relationship in the long term.

Does your baby want to feed frequently or even constantly? Learn about cluster feeding with our essential guide.