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Recognizing Hunger Before the Crying Begin
New parents often wonder how they can tell if their newborn is hungry. Is it just when they're crying? Well, babies can't talk of course, but there are cues that parents can look for.
There is the rooting reflex. It's where babies will root or turn their heads to look for a food source. You can check this by stroking a baby's cheek with a finger and see if they turn their head and try to eat your finger.
They will also put their hands to their mouth and suck on their hands. And they can start smacking their lips and opening and closing their mouth as if they were sucking on something.
When to Check in with Your Pediatrician
Babies often tend to become more active when they are getting hungry as well. Crying is one cue also, and it's the one parent usually thinks about. But if your baby gets to the point of crying, you may have missed the subtle signs and the baby is letting you know they are mad at you because you missed feeding time.
So if your baby is not doing these signs at all and they're not really eating like they're supposed to, it might be time to go see your pediatrician and just make sure everything is okay.
More Answers to Your Questions on Keeping Your Kid Healthy
Latest trends and issues in children's health on the Healthy Kids Zone with Dr. Cindy Gellner
