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When your baby shows hunger or fullness, respond promptly and lovingly. This is called “responsive feeding” and it’s a great way to nurture healthy development. The joy of responsive feeding is all about bonding while you nourish your little one. Learn to read their signals, build trust, and enjoy every feeding moment together.
Responsive breastfeeding involves a mother responding to her baby’s cues and her own desire to feed the child. It acknowledges that feeds are not just for nutrition, but also for love, comfort, and reassurance between baby and mother.
Responsive feeding, previously known as ‘demand feeding’, is an approach where feeding is guided by the infant’s cues, promoting co-regulation.
Responsive feeding is based on the principles of responsive parenting. Responsive parenting is characterised by:
Recent studies indicate that ignoring the natural ‘on-demand’ feeding patterns that newborns tend to follow can have negative effects both in the short and long term. Babies often need frequent and small feedings to gain weight after leaving the hospital, especially in the early days of breastfeeding.
On the other hand, forcing older babies to eat when they aren’t hungry can lead to a misunderstanding of their body’s natural hunger and fullness signals, increasing the risk of obesity. Therefore, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advocates for ‘responsive feeding’.
Responsive feeding has many benefits, including:
Over time, you’ll learn to recognize your baby’s hunger cues. Recognizing hunger cues before your baby cries makes feeding easier.
When your baby is hungry, they might:
Remember, not all sucking or crying means hunger. Babies often suck for comfort, which can confuse parents. Sometimes, they just need cuddling or a diaper change. Recognizing feeding cues can be tricky, but watching your baby’s eyes, gestures, and sounds can help.
When your baby is full, they might:
Prioritising responsive feeding is crucial for newborns. Because breast milk is easily digested, you should breastfeed your baby 8–12 times daily for the first month to boost milk production.
Initially, breastfeeding should be “on demand,” meaning feeding your baby whenever they display hunger cues, typically every 1-1/2 to 3 hours. On the other hand, some babies may feed every 90 minutes. As babies grow, they tend to breastfeed less frequently and may establish a more predictable feeding routine.
By the time your baby reaches 1–2 months old, they generally nurse 7–9 times daily. Remember, the time between feedings is counted from the beginning of one feeding to the start of the next; for instance, if you start at 6 a.m., the next feeding might be around 8 a.m., then 10 a.m., indicating feedings “about every 2 hours.”
Newborns shouldn’t go more than 4 hours without feeding, even at night. For bottle-fed babies, feeding every 2 to 3 hours is common, with at least 8 feedings within 24 hours. Initially, babies may consume half an ounce per feeding, gradually increasing to 1 to 2 ounces after the first day or two.
By the end of the first month, most babies typically consume 3 or 4 ounces per feeding every 3 to 4 hours. At 6 months old, they may take in 6 to 8 ounces at each of 4 or 5 feedings daily. Introducing solid foods into their diet around this time is also recommended.
Around 6 months old, infants need more energy and nutrients than breast milk provides alone, so introducing complementary foods becomes crucial. This age also signifies readiness for new foods, and improper timing or methods can stunt infant growth. Key principles for appropriate complementary feeding include:
As children grow, sticking to regular meal and snack times helps them stay hungry when it’s time to eat and know when the next meal or snack will be. This routine also reduces conflicts over food between scheduled eating times.
Feeding infants can be challenging. When your baby is fussy, the instinct to feed them right away is common. However, it’s important to consider if this is the best approach in the long run. Look for signs of hunger, and if none are present, try different soothing methods that might better meet your baby’s needs.
Many breastfed babies also receive breast milk in a bottle. While true responsive feeding isn’t possible with a bottle because of the risk of overfeeding, mothers can still strengthen the bond with their babies.
Paying attention to feeding cues and holding your baby close during feeds helps meet their nutritional needs and fosters emotional bonding. Recognizing hunger signals allows you to respond promptly, making feeding easier and building trust. Physical closeness during feeding provides comfort and supports your baby’s emotional and social development.
When your baby shows signs of hunger like rooting or agitation, it’s important to feed them promptly. This helps meet their needs right away and fosters a secure and comfortable feeding experience. Offer the breast or bottle calmly, allowing them to feed at their own pace. This not only provides nutrition but also strengthens your bond with your baby.
Calmly offer the bottle and gently encourage your baby to latch onto the teat. Hold the bottle close to your baby’s mouth and gently brush the teat against their lips, encouraging them to open their mouth and latch on. Avoid forcing the bottle into their mouth, as this can create stress and discomfort. This gentle approach helps your baby feel secure and more willing to feed, making the feeding experience more positive and relaxed for both of you.
Pacing the feeds means letting your baby eat at their own speed, without rushing. It’s about being patient and giving them the time they need to drink their milk or formula comfortably, without any pressure.This approach can help prevent issues like overfeeding and allows the baby to control their feeding rhythm, promoting a relaxed and enjoyable feeding experience.
Avoiding forcing your baby to finish their feeding means respecting their cues of fullness. Instead of urging them to consume more than they want, allow them to dictate their intake. This approach supports their natural ability to regulate their appetite and prevents overfeeding, ensuring a positive feeding experience.
Being warm and nurturing during feeding means holding your baby close, making eye contact, and smiling. Talk to them gently, use soft touches, and maybe sing a lullaby. This creates a pleasant feeding experience and strengthens your bond, helping your baby feel secure and loved.
If your baby is upset before feeding, try calming them with a cuddle and skin-to-skin contact. Hold them close to regulate their temperature and heartbeat, reducing stress. Gentle rocking or talking can also help soothe them.
Create a calm feeding environment. Choose a quiet spot, use a comfy chair and pillow, turn off distractions, and keep dim lights. Hold your baby with their head slightly elevated for a secure and enjoyable feeding time.
This reduces stress and the risk of overfeeding. It’s also beneficial if parents handle most feeds themselves, especially in the early days.
Paying attention to feeding cues and holding your baby close during feeds helps meet their nutritional needs and fosters emotional bonding. Recognizing hunger signals allows you to respond promptly, making feeding easier and building trust. Physical closeness during feeding provides comfort and supports your baby’s emotional and social development.
When your baby shows signs of hunger like rooting or agitation, it’s important to feed them promptly. This helps meet their needs right away and fosters a secure and comfortable feeding experience. Offer the breast or bottle calmly, allowing them to feed at their own pace. This not only provides nutrition but also strengthens your bond with your baby.
Calmly offer the bottle and gently encourage your baby to latch onto the teat. Hold the bottle close to your baby’s mouth and gently brush the teat against their lips, encouraging them to open their mouth and latch on. Avoid forcing the bottle into their mouth, as this can create stress and discomfort. This gentle approach helps your baby feel secure and more willing to feed, making the feeding experience more positive and relaxed for both of you.
Pacing the feeds means letting your baby eat at their own speed, without rushing. It’s about being patient and giving them the time they need to drink their milk or formula comfortably, without any pressure.This approach can help prevent issues like overfeeding and allows the baby to control their feeding rhythm, promoting a relaxed and enjoyable feeding experience.
Avoiding forcing your baby to finish their feeding means respecting their cues of fullness. Instead of urging them to consume more than they want, allow them to dictate their intake. This approach supports their natural ability to regulate their appetite and prevents overfeeding, ensuring a positive feeding experience.
Being warm and nurturing during feeding means holding your baby close, making eye contact, and smiling. Talk to them gently, use soft touches, and maybe sing a lullaby. This creates a pleasant feeding experience and strengthens your bond, helping your baby feel secure and loved.
If your baby is upset before feeding, try calming them with a cuddle and skin-to-skin contact. Hold them close to regulate their temperature and heartbeat, reducing stress. Gentle rocking or talking can also help soothe them.
Create a calm feeding environment. Choose a quiet spot, use a comfy chair and pillow, turn off distractions, and keep dim lights. Hold your baby with their head slightly elevated for a secure and enjoyable feeding time.
This reduces stress and the risk of overfeeding. It’s also beneficial if parents handle most feeds themselves, especially in the early days.
Responsive breastfeeding means mothers respond promptly to their baby’s feeding cues and emotional needs, fostering a strong bond while adapting to the child’s developmental stages.
Responsive feeding means letting babies eat when they’re hungry and responding quickly. This promotes healthy eating, reduces obesity risk and encourages self-feeding. It respects babies’ natural hunger and fullness cues.
With time, you’ll notice when your baby is hungry before they cry. Hunger signs include making sucking noises, moving their eyes, searching for the bottle, wiggling, and putting things in their mouth. They may also lick their lips or become fussy.
When full, babies may take breaks, unlatch, get distracted, or turn away. Not all sucking or crying means hunger; they might need comfort or a diaper change. Watch their eyes, movements, and sounds to understand these cues.
Responsive feeding is crucial for newborns. Breastfeed 8-12 times daily to boost milk production, every 1.5 to 3 hours based on hunger cues. Bottle-fed infants should eat every 2 to 3 hours, with at least 8 feedings daily.
Starting at 6 months, introduce different complementary foods. Keep breastfeeding on demand up to 2 years, feed patiently, and maintain hygiene. Set regular meal and snack times to help children anticipate meals and reduce conflicts.
Responsive feeding means noticing your baby’s hunger cues and creating a nurturing feeding environment to strengthen the parent-child bond. Recognize early signs like rooting or agitation for timely feeding and a positive experience.
Gentle bottle feeding and respecting cues of fullness prevent overfeeding. Being warm and nurturing, soothing your baby before feeds, and minimising distractions create a calm feeding atmosphere, promoting healthy eating habits and reducing stress.
Responsive feeding encourages feeding on demand, even during the night. However, if your baby is gaining weight well and there are no concerns from your healthcare provider, you may allow them to sleep longer stretches at night.
Signs that your baby is getting enough milk include regular wet diapers (at least 6 per day), consistent weight gain, and contentment after feeds. Your healthcare provider can also assess your baby’s growth and breastfeeding latch to ensure adequate milk intake.
When introducing solid foods, responsive feeding involves offering new foods in small amounts and paying attention to your baby’s cues of readiness and acceptance. Let your baby explore different textures and flavours at their own pace to develop healthy eating habits from the start.
In the early months, babies may need to feed frequently (about every 1.5 to 3 hours) based on their hunger cues. As they grow, the frequency may decrease, but responsive feeding continues to adapt to their changing needs.
Using a pacifier is appropriate if your baby seeks comfort sucking but isn’t showing hunger cues. It can help satisfy their need for sucking without overfeeding. Ensure to offer the breast or bottle when your baby shows hunger signs rather than relying solely on a pacifier.
Responsive feeding encourages feeding on demand, even during the night. However, if your baby is gaining weight well and there are no concerns from your healthcare provider, you may allow them to sleep longer stretches at night.
Signs that your baby is getting enough milk include regular wet diapers (at least 6 per day), consistent weight gain, and contentment after feeds. Your healthcare provider can also assess your baby’s growth and breastfeeding latch to ensure adequate milk intake.
When introducing solid foods, responsive feeding involves offering new foods in small amounts and paying attention to your baby’s cues of readiness and acceptance. Let your baby explore different textures and flavours at their own pace to develop healthy eating habits from the start.
In the early months, babies may need to feed frequently (about every 1.5 to 3 hours) based on their hunger cues. As they grow, the frequency may decrease, but responsive feeding continues to adapt to their changing needs.
Using a pacifier is appropriate if your baby seeks comfort sucking but isn’t showing hunger cues. It can help satisfy their need for sucking without overfeeding. Ensure to offer the breast or bottle when your baby shows hunger signs rather than relying solely on a pacifier.
1. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2017). AAP Responsive Feeding Print Fact Sheet.
2. Chicago Feeding Group. (2022). ‘What is Responsive Feeding?’
3. HealthyChildren.org. (April, 2024). ‘How Often and How Much Should Your Baby Eat?’
4. KidsHealth. (November, 2019). ‘Breastfeed Often’.
5. Maeville Pediatrics. ‘Is My Baby Still Hungry? Responsive Feeding Explained and Why You Should Adopt This Feeding Pattern’.
6. National Health Service. ‘Feeding on Demand’.
7. National Center for Biotechnology Information. (August, 2016). ‘Responsive Feeding’.
8. Society of Behavioural Medicine. ‘A 3-Step Approach to Responsive Feeding During Infancy and Beyond’.
9. UNICEF UK. (2017). ‘Responsive Feeding Infosheet’.
10. World Health Organization. (No date). Infant and Young Child Feeding.
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