Feeding cues

By recognising early feeding cues, you can offer a breastfeed to your baby when they are alert and ready but still calm. In this way, your baby will attach and feed more effectively. 

Why feeding cues are important  

• gives your baby an opportunity to attach and feed well  

• gives you time to get you and your baby comfortable for the feed

• lets your baby know you are there when they need you

• satisfies your baby's hunger and thirst 

• keeps your milk supply up.

• tense, jerky movements of their arms and legs 

• crying.

• it's harder to calm baby down to feed.

• they may have more difficulty attaching to your breast because their tongue is raised and they can't get enough of the breast into their mouth

• they may not feed well if they are still upset

• you may find your nipples become sore if your baby isn’t well-attached.

Some babies start crying as soon as they wake or if you missed the opportunity to offer a feed sooner. If your hungry baby is crying, try putting them to the breast. This may calm them and they may feed happily. 

If your baby is too upset to attach, try:

• Placing your baby on your chest above your breast
• Skin-to skin contact with you or your partner
• Walking around with your baby near your available breasts
• Hand expressing a little milk onto their lips
• Gently stroking your baby’s mouth with your nipple may trigger the suck reflex.