Article By Taniya Gisel, Board Member / Writer at Latino and Urban Autism Awareness & Acceptance 

One of the fundamental aspects of parenting is deciphering your child's cues, especially when it comes to hunger and fullness. Even before they can articulate their needs verbally, infants and toddlers communicate through subtle signs and gestures. Recognizing and responding to these cues is crucial for establishing a healthy feeding relationship. This article aims to guide parents through the signs of hunger and fullness in children from birth to 23 months, promoting a positive approach to feeding that respects their autonomy. 

Birth to 5 Months Old:

Signs of Hunger:

Puts hands to mouth: Your baby may instinctively bring their hands to their mouth, signaling a readiness to feed.

Turns head towards breast or bottle: A clear indication that your child is seeking nourishment.

Puckers, smacks, or licks lips: These actions suggest anticipation and readiness for feeding.

Clenched hands: An early sign of hunger that may precede crying.

Signs of Fullness:

Closes mouth: Indicates satisfaction and the end of the feeding session.

Turns head away from breast or bottle: Communicates a lack of interest in further feeding.

Relaxes hands: A sign that your baby is content and no longer hungry.

6 to 23 Months Old:

Signs of Hunger:

Reaches for or points to food: Demonstrates an interest in eating and trying new foods.

Opens mouth when offered a spoon or food: Signals eagerness to consume.

Gets excited when seeing food: Displays enthusiasm for mealtime.

Uses hand motions or sounds to express hunger: Developing communication skills to convey needs.

Signs of Fullness:

Pushes food away: Indicates a decrease in interest or a sense of satiety.

Closes mouth when food is offered: A clear signal that your child has had enough.

Turns head away from food: A physical cue that your toddler may be finished eating.

Uses hand motions or sounds to express fullness: Communicating satisfaction and a desire to stop eating.

Allowing Autonomy:

Empower your child to decide how much they want to eat. Avoid pressuring them to finish a bottle or consume all the food on their plate. Remember that food should not be used as a reward or punishment, fostering a positive attitude towards meals.

Understanding your child's hunger and fullness cues is a continuous journey that evolves as they grow. By attentively observing and responding to these signals, parents can establish a healthy feeding dynamic, promoting a positive relationship with food that will benefit the child throughout their life. Encouraging autonomy in eating helps foster a healthy attitude towards food and supports the development of lifelong healthy eating habits.

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DATA SOURCE: Signs Your Child is Hungry or Full | Nutrition | CDC