How can you tell if its hunger?

[brightside]

I am assuming DS is not hungry if . . .

he can be settled eventually with a dummy

he doesn't really cry-is just fussing

he usually sleeps through the night without feeds

the odd occasion when I do feed him (because he just won't settle) he takes less the next day

Am I making the correct assumptions? DS has been waking a lot lately and I am really trying not to feed him so we don't get into a habit and him start to take less in the day. Am I doing the right thing?

[teezee]

yes i believe you are correct. also, if lo will settle but wakes within an hr generally it means that they are hungry although it may be a problem with gas and/or pain if lo isn't taking as much the next day. try to isolate all other things before feeding. it may also be you need to do a bit of sleep training if it is affecting the next days' feedings. what does your routine look like? could lo be overtired? overstimulated before bed? possibly be getting to much sleep with naps?

[brightside]

Thanks for answering. We are just having such a rough few days. We do have some issues with 40 minute naps but most days, DS will take one long one of about 2 hours and he's usually fine after the short naps. We have had some days where he has had 4 hours of day sleep and others where its only been about 2.5 hours. He always has a nap every 2 hours and at bedtime he goes to bed at about 1.5 hours of A time but usually only falls fast asleep by his usual 2 hours. He is always asleep by 8pm latest. We have the same routine at bedtime each night. I just can't seem to pinpoint what has made his wakings worse over the last week, which is why I was wondering if I was ignoring the fact that he might actually be hungry.