Why is my newborn always hungry? A parent’s guide

Those first days and weeks after your baby is born can feel like a whirlwind of feed, sleep, repeat. No sooner have you finished one feed than you’re straight onto the next, and it’s puzzling how this tiny newborn can feed as often as they do.

If you’re asking, ‘why is my newborn always hungry?’, you’re not alone. From growth spurts and cluster feeding to a growing appetite and getting the hang of your baby’s hunger cues, our complete guide covers everything you need to know about your hungry baby.

‘Why is my newborn always hungry?’, ‘why is my newborn still hungry after feeding?’ - these questions we hear from new parents all the time (so you’re definitely not alone).

Your baby’s tummy is about the size of a walnut on the day they’re born¹ and is still only around the size of an egg when they’re one month old². Because their tummy is so small, it fills up with milk very quickly. So, while it may feel as though your newborn is always hungry, they’re really only taking in tiny amounts at a time.

If you’re feeding your baby breast milk, this is much easier for them to digest, and you’ll probably find that you’re feeding your baby less and more often compared to formula-fed babies². Rest assured that this is completely normal.

As helpful as it would be, babies don’t come with a manual when it comes to, well, everything.

Trust us when we say that your baby won’t waste any time telling you they’ve got a hungry tummy, and you’ll soon learn to spot their hunger cues - those tell-tale signs that they’re ready to feed. In no time at all, you’ll feel more confident when it comes to following your instincts and your little one’s lead.

So, what do hunger cues look like?

Look out for your baby⁴:

• Wriggling and getting restless.
• ‘Rooting’ and looking around.
• Sucking on their fingers and hands.
• Opening and closing their mouth.

Crying might be one of the most obvious (and the loudest!) signs your little one’s ready for a feed, but this tends to be one of the later signs of hunger. If you can feed your baby before they start to cry, then they’ll generally be easier to feed.

Following those early hunger cues isn’t always easy, though, especially if you’re out and about or keeping up with other children, too. If your baby starts to cry and gets to ‘code red-feed-me-now’, follow our top tips:

• Cuddle your baby - keep them close and gently rub their back.
• Try some skin-to-skin.
• Gently hum or sing to your baby as you prepare their feed.

It’s one thing to understand why your newborn is always hungry, but you might also need the answer to another common question: ‘Why is my newborn still hungry after feeding?’

The answer could be one of two things: either your baby is going through a growth spurt, or you’re experiencing something known as ‘cluster feeding’. Let’s take a closer look.

You probably can’t believe how quickly your baby is growing (how did their tiny newborn baby grow ever fit them?!).

A growth spurt occurs when your baby experiences rapid growth and weight gain⁵, and your baby will likely go through several during their first year. Be prepared for their appetite to increase when they’re going through a growth spurt, and for any feeding patterns or routines you’ve settled into going right out of the window:

“Just when I thought I’d ‘cracked it’ and had my baby’s feeding patterns sorted, a growth spurt would change things up again. After the first couple, I decided to go with the flow and follow my baby’s lead. You know your baby, so don’t be afraid to trust yourself - you’ve got this.” - Sylvie’s mum

Growth spurts tend to last a few days at a time and often happen around⁶:

• 2-3 weeks old.
• 6 weeks old.
• 3 and 6 months old.

If your newborn is always hungry, you might be experiencing ‘cluster feeding’. This is where your baby wants to feed more frequently - sometimes even constantly - and typically occurs in the first 3-4 months after they’re born⁷.

Babies will ofttn cluster feed through the night, so try to get plenty of rest. We know it’s not always easy, especially if you’re also looking after other children. But if you can, try to squeeze in a couple of naps during the day to keep your energy up.

While they might be tiring, cluster feeds are very important for establishing your breast milk supply, so that your body can keep up with demand⁵. You can cluster feed with formula milk, but be careful not to overfeed your baby, and always watch for signs that they’re full⁷.

Cluster feeding patterns are a completely normal part of your baby’s growth. Just keep following your little one’s lead and feed them as much and as often as they need to keep them happy and healthy.

If your newborn is still hungry after feeding, you might be wondering whether they’re getting enough milk. It can take a while to feel confident about your baby’s feeding habits, and below you’ll find a few things that will help you to know your baby’s getting what they need.

If your baby is gaining weight steadily, has regained their birth weight, and your midwife is happy with their growth and development, this is a very reliable sign that your baby is getting enough milk⁸.

While regular nappy changes aren’t an obvious cause for celebration, they’re the reassurance you need that your baby is getting what they need. Expect to change your newborn’s nappy between 10 and 12 times a day (wet nappies should be heavy). As they get a bit older, this will reduce to around 6-8 times a day⁹.

If you’re breastfeeding, there’s no way to know how much milk your baby is taking. Make sure that when they start feeding, they start with a few rapid sucks before settling into long, rhythmic sucking.

Other signs that they’re feeding well include⁸:

• Your baby’s cheeks are rounded, and don’t become hollow when they feed.
• You can see (and hear) your baby swallowing the milk.
• Their mouth is moist after feeding, perhaps with some milk residue.
• Your baby looks relaxed and contented after feeding. You might hear this referred to as ‘milk drunk’.
• Your baby comes off the breast of their own accord.
• Your breasts are softer after your baby has fed.

If your baby is regularly still hungry after breastfeeding or bottle feeding, your first thought might be that they’re ready for the next big step – their first taste of solid foods. However, it’s important to hang fire.

Ideally, you should wait until your little one is at least 6 months old before you start them on their weaning journey¹⁰. Even then, they should still get most of their nutrients and energy from breast milk or infant formula while they get used to the idea of eating solid foods.

Your baby’s fussiness isn’t always the sign of a hungry tummy, especially if your baby has just been fed. So what else could be? 

Your baby will have been practising their sucking reflex whilst in the womb from as early as week 11 of your pregnancy. Babies find the sensation of sucking very soothing, which is why you might find them seeking  comfort from your nipple, a dummy or the teat of their bottle¹¹.

Some babies become fussy and unsettled after feeding due to reflux, which happens when milk travels back up their food pipe from their stomach¹². For some babies, sucking can help ease the discomfort.

Reflux in babies usually gets better on its own, but don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare professional if you need some advice and guidance about how to manage the symptoms, which include¹²:

• Bringing up milk during or after a feed.
• Being unsettled and fussy during feeding.
• Hiccuping or coughing during a feed.
• Crying.
• Not gaining weight.

It could be colic if your little one is unsettled, crying, or irritable after a feed, especially if you can’t pinpoint why they’re unsettled. Learn more about spotting the signs of colic and taking care of your baby and yourself.

Take a look at our handy tips for calming and soothing your little one:

• Look for signs that your baby is tired - it might be time for a nap.
• Change their nappy.
• Check their temperature - it might be that your little one is too warm or a bit chilly.
• Cuddle them. Try some skin-to-skin contact or use a sling to carry them around. Sometimes your baby may just want a little time with you.
• Calm your surroundings. Babies can get overstimulated, so limit loud noises and bright lights.
• Play with and talk to them. Babies get bored, too!
• Give your baby a nice warm bath - this often does the trick.
• Take your baby for a walk or a drive.

Here’s our advice to help your baby feel happy, content, and satisfied after feeding⁸:

• Ensure your baby is latched onto your breast correctly. Read more about how to breastfeed.
• Feed your baby on demand - that way, they’ll feed when they’re hungry.
• Offer your baby both breasts during a feed.
• Express some breast milk after each feed to build up your milk supply.
• Keep your baby close, maintain eye contact, and have plenty of skin-to-skin.
• If you’re bottle-feeding, prepare all the necessary equipment so that you can get their feed ready when needed.
• Try the paced feeding technique to help avoid tummy troubles like overfeeding and trapped wind.
• Wind your baby regularly.

Always seek medical advice about your baby’s feeding journey if:

• Your baby isn’t gaining weight.
• Your baby is refusing to feed.
• Your baby displays the symptoms of any other illness or tummy bug, as a rash, high temperature, persistent vomiting, or a cough.
• You need help or support with breastfeeding.
• You think that your baby may have reflux or colic.
• Your baby is especially irritable.
• Your baby is unusually sleepy and drowsy.