Heard of the advice:
“Feed whenever your baby cries!”
“Sucking must mean they are hungry!”
These are two myths that I will debunk for you.
Yes your baby cries when they are hungry but they also cry when they are tired, frustrated, overstimulated, gassy, in pain and need comforting.
Feeding every time your baby cries can lead to more challenges. These challenges can be over feeding, colic, reflux, tummy upsets and sleep deprivation for both you and baby.
Sucking is also a tool many new mums use to feed a baby.
But sucking isn’t controlled by hunger.
Your baby learns to suck in the womb at 32 weeks gestation. Many babies can suck on their hands or thumbs before they are even born.
Sucking is an involuntary action (reflex). This means your baby does not have control over when to suck to feed or to help settle.
The sucking is initiated by touch. The nipple, a finger, a dummy or pacifier or a teat from a bottle ate all tools that can initiate the sucking reflex. Sucking for hunger becomes more controlled and voluntary after the age of 8-12 weeks.
It’s very important to have knowledge about your baby’s feeding cues and to recognise that when your baby has been feeding well and they fall asleep they are satisfied. If and when you your baby cries after a feed, they are not necessarily hungry but may be tired, have gas or need comforting.
Babies will often tell you they are not hungry by pushing themselves away from you when trying to latch. Don’t force a baby to feed as this might work against you.
Get my Newborn guide – ebook to help you gain more knowledge.
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