How Do I Know My Baby Is Full?

If your baby has just started solid foods, you’ll probably be wondering how much you should be feeding your baby.

Just ask your baby! Babies are born with a brilliant system which regulates how much food they need – they eat when they are hungry, and till they are full! Simple.

I’m Full!

Signs to look out for to know your baby is full:

• Your baby turns the face away from the food
• Your baby purses the lips when you offer food
• Your baby spits out the food (if your baby has been on solids for a while; if you are just introducing solids, this is not a sign of being full)
• Your baby pushes food away or hands it back to you
• Your baby falls asleep
• Your baby appears uninterested or distracted
• Your baby starts to eat smaller morsels
• Your baby eats slower
• Closer to a year, your baby may even shake the head ‘no’

What You Need To Do

Respect the wisdom of your baby’s body. Your baby has its own appetite, just like we do. Do not force-feed your baby or develop a tendency of overeating. At first, babies will only eat a spoonful or two, and in the meanwhile, breast milk is providing sufficient nutrition. Do not insist on feeding a particular quantity for fear of malnutrition. There will also be days when your baby eats more than usual, and less on days of teething or other discomfort. Just go with the flow.