Glossary · Behavior
Satiety cues
The signals a child gives to indicate fullness: turning away, closing the mouth, slowing down, pushing food away, losing interest. Responsive caregivers learn to read these and stop offering food when they appear, supporting the child's ability to recognize their own hunger and fullness.
What fullness looks like by age
Babies from around 6 months often close their mouth, turn their head away, push the spoon or food away, or start playing with food instead of eating. Toddlers add words and gestures: shaking their head, signing "all done", trying to climb down, or dropping food over the side. Older children may simply say they're full, slow down, or start talking more than eating.
Hunger has signals too
Hunger has its own signals: reaching or pointing at food, opening the mouth when food comes near, getting excited at the sight of a meal, and, for older toddlers, asking. Watching for both sides helps you serve food when your child is ready and stop when they're done.
Responding to "all done"
- Take the first clear sign at face value and end the meal calmly.
- Skip the "one more bite" and clean-plate rules.
- Serve small portions and let your child ask for more.
- If your child is hungry again soon after, the next snack comes at its usual time.
Why it matters day to day
When children are listened to as they say they're full, they get practice noticing their own hunger and fullness. It also takes tension out of meals, because the table stops being a negotiation. Appetite naturally rises and falls from day to day, so a small meal today is part of normal eating. If you're worried about how much or how little your child eats, talk with your pediatrician.
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References
Related terms
Miriel uses this concept across food scans, meal plans, and AI Coach responses where it is relevant to a child's profile. For the underlying clinical and scientific basis, see the research page.