Your 6 to 12 month old’s hunger & fullness cues
Understanding your baby's hunger and fullness cues is a key part of the feeding journey. It helps you manage their unique needs and encourages positive eating habits from the start. From 6 to 12 months, your baby's communication skills are growing, and since they’ll use nonverbal cues to let you know when they’re hungry or full, it’s important to know what to look out for.
From 6 to 7 months
Knowing when to feed
At this stage, your baby’s menu may have expanded to include more purées, cereals and baby food varieties. Their experiencing excitement over food can turn mealtime into a fun, playful experience for the both of you. Recognising hunger cues will help you know when they’re ready to eat.
Hunger signs
- Crying or fussing: Still cries or fusses when hungry for milk or desires food
- Reaching for spoonfuls of food
- Opening their mouth and leaning towards the bowl or spoon
- Staring at you while eating as if to say, “I’m not done yet.”
Knowing when they’re full
Whether breast-, bottle- or spoon-feeding, your baby makes their wishes known when they’re full.
Fullness signs
- Turning their head from the nipple if it’s breast or bo ttle
- Leaning away from the food and possibly pushing the spoon away
- Clenching their mouth shut to prevent further feeding
- Spitting out food even if they typically enjoy it
- Pushing the bowl or food away
- Slowing down, becoming distracted or looking elsewhere
- Falling asleep during feeding
From 8 to 12 months
Knowing when to feed
By now, your baby is eating small portions more frequently. You are learning their cues for hunger and fullness and how they respond to your behaviour. As they’re developing and changing, so are the ways they’re communicating with you. Their cues will develop in terms of your response to them. If they’re trying to tell you something but you aren’t recognising it or responding to it, a child will try a different way.
Hunger signs
- Kicking his legs and banging on the high chair tray says “Hurry up with the food, Mum.”
- Putting fingers in his mouth and fussing, which lets you know he may be hungry.
- Carefully watches as you prepare his food, and is excited when you present it.
- Reaches for food when he sees it says “time to eat.”
- Eats with full attention on you and anticipates the next bite.
Hunger signs
- Kicking their legs or banging on the high chair tray as if to say, “Hurry up with the food!”
- Putting fingers in their mouth and fussing, signalling hunger
- Watching you intently as you prepare their food and showing excitement when it’s ready
- Reaching for food when they see it
- Focusing on eating and eagerly anticipating the next bite
Knowing when they’re full
As they grow, your baby will continue to show clear signs when they’ve had enough to eat.
Fullness signs
- Turning their head or leaning away from the spoon
- Shutting their mouth tightly and shaking their head to signal they’re done
- Pushing their bowl away or trying to knock the spoon from your hand
- Losing interest in eating and looking away
Every baby is unique, and how they tell you they are hungry or full will also be unique. Use this guide as a start to help you tune in to your child’s mannerisms and temperament. Learning their hunger and fullness cues takes time and patience. Observing their behaviours and responding to their signals will help foster a positive and healthy relationship with food.
Remember, feeding time is an opportunity to bond with your baby, to support their development but also for you to enjoy the journey.
Frequently asked questions
We’re here to help. Browse through our common questions to get quick answers.
How often should I feed my child?
Every baby is different, and their feeding needs can vary based on their age, appetite, and development stage.
Pay attention to their hunger cues, like reaching for food or fussing, to guide when to feed them. Offering
meals and snacks at consistent intervals can help create a routine, but let their signals lead the way.
Why does my child spit out food all the time?
Spitting out food can happen for many reasons. Your child might be exploring textures, flavours, or how to
control their tongue and mouth as they develop feeding skills. It could also mean they’re full, tired, or simply
not interested in that particular food. Stay patient and offer variety. If they seem consistently uninterested in
eating, it’s worth observing their patterns and adjusting as needed.
How much should my toddler be eating
Portion sizes for toddlers are typically much smaller than adult servings. A balanced diet with a mix of
vegetables, fruits, grains, proteins, and dairy (or alternatives) spread across meals and snacks is ideal. Let your
toddler's hunger and fullness cues guide how much they eat, rather than focusing on finishing the plate.