How do you know when your BF baby is hungry?

I'm finding it more and more difficult to work out when my baby is hungry and sometimes feel like I'm feeding him when he's not that hungry. He mouths everything now he's almost 5 months so that's not a sign anymore and he could go 4 hours without crying with hunger if I left him. How do you know if they're hungry now? I'm also not sure whether the number of feeds should go down now he's a bit older.

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Heya, I've found that she will fuss but her thumb won't soothe or the dummy or teether toys! Then it's time for boobie. I'm trying to stick to set times for feeding and shuffle as and when the schedule changes Awake & feed 6:30 1st nap 8:10 - 9:30 Feeding 9:40 2nd nap 11:30-12:30 Feeding - 12:40 3rd nap 2:15-3:15 Small Feeding: 3:30 Baby rice 4:00 Bottle 4:30 Nap 4 5:45-6:15 Feeding 7:30 Bedtime 8:00

My baby's the same, only she won't go that long without crying/whining. I just offer her when she gets fussy or when she's chewing toys/her fists more aggressively. She will also look at me sometimes as if to say "why aren't you giving me what I need". But most of the time it's complete guess work and very often she didn't want any food and comes off immediately. If she doesn't want food, she won't eat, so I'm not worried about overfeeding her. The NHS also says you can't overfeed a breastfed baby. Not sure about number of feeds going down, but it's probably the same as with most things, as long as there are still plenty of nappies and your baby is still gaining weight, it's probably okay. You could always check with your HV or get in touch with La Leche League or the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 021

I’m not sure if you have a breastfeeding group near you but mine said at this age they’re often not interested in eating as much during the day because the daytime is so exciting and they may want to feed more at night. I’m not sure if that sounds like your little one? I tend to offer every 2.5ish hours or before I go out or if he gets fussy. Like above he’ll eat if he’s hungry or just take a bit. I second the gaining weight and wet nappies as that positive indicator too☺️ There’s a really helpful group on facebook called Breastfeeding and lactation support uk which is fab and you can ask questions.

I couldve written this myself! I'm also worried because before he would feed for super long (around 30 mins) but now doesn't seem to fuss if I take him off after 5? But he's waking loaaadss in the night so maybe it's the problem mentioned above!

@Hafiza a lactation consultant also told me babies get much more skilled at getting the milk out, so a 4-5min feed might be all they need at this time. My baby still does 20 min feeds though but only really during the night

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