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The habits we learn early can stay with us for a lifetime 鈥� which is why it鈥檚 better to learn good habits early, not bad ones. This is especially true with eating habits. More and more, research shows that overweight babies grow into overweight children, who grow into overweight adults. One of the very best ways to prevent obesity is to start before they are two years old, preferably right at birth.

That鈥檚 why the American Academy of Pediatrics really wants parents to know about responsive feeding.

Most parents feel better when their baby eats more 鈥� and eats on a predictable schedule. It鈥檚 comforting and reassuring. It helps parents feel certain that their baby has had enough to eat. It also makes it easier to organize the day or give instructions to babysitters. But when we push babies to eat more than they want, or to eat when they aren鈥檛 hungry, it can teach them bad habits that put them at higher risk of obesity.

It鈥檚 really important that babies eat when they are hungry and eat only as much as they need. That鈥檚 where responsive feeding comes in. Responsive feeding is learning your baby鈥檚 cues for hunger, and for being full, and responding appropriately to those cues.

Here are some signs that a baby might be hungry:

• she puts her hands in or near her mouth
• she makes sucking noises
• she puts her hands on her belly
• she is more active, moving her hands and feet
• she cries 鈥� but this is a late sign, often coming after the earlier signs didn鈥檛 bring food.

Parents should respond warmly and promptly to these signs, and should let the baby stop eating once she鈥檚 full. Signs of being full include:

• stopping and starting feeding frequently
• spitting out or ignoring the bottle or breast
• unlatching from the breast
• turning the head away
• slowing down, or falling asleep.

If a baby is showing these signs, parents should stop feeding, even if the baby has eaten less than usual, or less than the parent would like them to eat. That way, the baby learns to listen to her hunger cues and stop eating when she鈥檚 not hungry anymore, habits that can help keep her at a healthy weight for life.

If a parent is worried that their baby isn鈥檛 getting enough to eat, or isn鈥檛 growing well enough, the best thing to do is call the doctor and make an appointment. At the appointment, the baby can be weighed and examined to check for any problems. If there are problems, the doctor and parents can make a plan to address them and get the baby back on track. If there aren鈥檛 any, parents can feel comfortable listening to and following the baby鈥檚 cues.

The bottom line for parents: you provide, your baby decides.