Reading Appetite Cues in Infancy: A Role for Nutrition Education

Infants communicate complex aspects of appetite through a variety of behaviors. In newborn babies, mouthing and orientation towards odors from breast milk signal preference, whereas in older infants likes and dislikes are signaled via facial expressions. Infants communicate readiness to eat by sucking their hands and eliciting the hunger cry, and indicate satiation through a wide repertoire of behaviors ranging from subtle facial expressions, shifts in gaze through to changes in gesture and bodily movements including turning their head away. Filming mealtime interactions reveals the dynamic nature of infant communication and caregiver response. Optimal responsiveness to infant cues may be influenced by individual characteristics of the mother and the mode of feeding (breastfed or formula). A series of studies has used video capture to characterize the ways in which infants communicate appetite. We have then translated this into an educational resource for healthcare professionals and caregivers on how to identify, interpret, and respond to these cues. There is a potentially important role for nutrition education in promoting both the principles of good nutrition as well as ways to read then respond sensitively to infant appetite cues.