It\u2019s a scene that we\u2019ve watched play out in film, novels and pop culture: A baby cries, and the mother instinctively reacts. \u201cShe\u2019s hungry,\u201d she may say, and her baby easily settles down when feeding starts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The idea that babies use crying to communicate hunger is one of the most widespread misconceptions today about infant feeding. It\u2019s highly prevalent among new and experienced parents, and even perpetuated by some well-meaning but uninformed medical professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, babies do not cry when they start<\/em> to get hungry; they cry when they are very <\/em>hungry and distressed. A crying baby probably showed earlier, more subtle signs of hunger before she started to cry. And once a baby starts crying, it can be much more difficult to help them settle down, let alone initiate a positive feeding experience.<\/p>\n\n\n