Cues: What Your Baby Is Trying to Tell You

Babies are born ready to communicate. They use cues to show you what they need. Sometimes their cues are hard to understand at first. Watching your baby helps you learn what they're trying to tell you.

With practice, you'll get better at reading their cues. Your baby will get better at showing them. Responding to cues quickly — before your baby gets upset — helps them cry less and helps them learn to trust you.

Remember: You can't spoil a baby. Responding to their needs helps them feel safe and build trust.

Hunger Cues

Newborn babies need to eat 8-12 times every 24 hours. Their stomachs are very small, growing from the size of a cherry to an egg in four days. Newborns are more likely to cry from hunger than older babies.

Early signs your baby is hungry:

• Licks or smacks lips
• Opens and closes their mouth
• Sucks on hands or fingers
• Turns head toward your hand when you touch their cheek (rooting)
• Makes sucking noises
• Moves arms and legs

Late signs:

• Fussing or squirming
• Crying

Aim to feed before your baby reaches the crying stage. Calm babies tend to feed better.

Fullness Cues

Your baby is full when they:

• Suck slower or stop sucking
• Relax their hands and body
• Turn away from the breast or bottle
• Close their mouth
• Push away
• Fall asleep

Once you spot these signs, stop feeding. By letting your baby decide when they’re done, you help them with appetite control.

Engagement Cues

As your baby gets older, you'll notice when they want to interact, learn, or play.

Your baby wants to engage with you when they:

• Have a relaxed face and body
• Follow your voice and face with their eyes
• Reach toward you
• Stare at your face
• Raise their head toward you

Overstimulated Cues

Of course, babies also need breaks from playing and learning.

Your baby could use a break when they:

• Look away, turn away, or arch their back
• Frown or have a glazed look
• Stiffen their hands, arms, or legs
• Yawn or fall asleep

Give them space when you see these signs.