Feeding on Cue

Feeding on cue is about responding to your baby’s natural needs for food, comfort and closeness. Trust your instincts, follow their signals and know that you're building a strong foundation for both your baby’s health and your breastfeeding journey.

What is “feeding on cue?”

Feeding on cue means nursing your baby whenever they show signs of hunger, also called feeding cues. These include:

•    Mouthing movements
•    Rooting (turning head toward the breast)
•    Tongue protruding
•    Hand-to-mouth movements or sucking on hands
 

Why is feeding on cue important?

Feeding on cue offers many benefits for both baby and parent:

• Supports milk supply: The more your baby nurses, the more milk your body produces.
• Builds strong milk-making tissue: Frequent feeding in the first few weeks helps establish long-term milk supply.
• Improves latching: Babies feed better when they’re calm and showing early hunger cues.
• Brings comfort and connection: Nursing meets both emotional and physical needs.
• Promotes healthy weight gain: Babies who nurse frequently often gain weight faster and have less jaundice.
• Reduces engorgement: Regular nursing keeps milk flowing and breasts more comfortable.
• Encourages longer breastfeeding duration: Following your baby’s lead helps sustain breastfeeding over time.
   

How do I know when my baby is full?

Signs that your baby is satisfied include:

• Relaxed arms, legs, and face
• Appears calm or sleepy
• Doesn’t root when their cheek or lips are gently stroked

Let your baby nurse as long as they want. They’ll usually come off the breast on their own when full.
 

Why should I avoid pacifiers and bottles early on?

To help establish breastfeeding:

• Babies suck differently on pacifiers and bottles, which can affect how well they latch at the breast.
• Pacifiers can mask hunger cues, making it easy to miss when your baby needs to feed.
• Less stimulation at the breast means your body may not produce enough milk to meet your baby’s needs.

If you need to supplement, talk to a lactation consultant about alternatives like cup or syringe feeding.

Why does my baby want to feed so often?

From your baby’s perspective, they were just in the womb, where they were always held, warm and nourished. Frequent feeding is natural because:

• Breast milk digests quickly
• Your baby is growing rapidly
• Nursing provides comfort, not just nutrition

Your baby may go through growth spurts at around 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months, during which they’ll feed more often. This helps your body adjust milk supply to meet their needs.

What happens during a feeding?

At the start of a feeding, your baby gets foremilk — a more watery, protein-rich milk. As they continue nursing, they receive hindmilk, which is richer in fat and helps with weight gain and feeling full.

Let your baby finish one breast before switching. If they’re still hungry, offer the second side. At the next feeding, start with the breast you ended with last time.

If you have more questions or concerns, talk to your baby's pediatrician or a lactation consultant. You've got this!