How To Stimulate Baby’s Taste Buds?

The sense of taste allows a person to receive critical information about the nature of the substance they ingest. The development of the sense of taste and getting used to new tastes begins before birth, and the fetus, which is already developing in the womb, is able to taste sweet and sour. This is the most advanced sense of the newborn, which does not mean, however, that parents could not stimulate the baby’s sense of taste by their own actions. This will help the child get used to the new tastes and compositions.

The flavors pass from mother to baby

The fetus begins to get used to the first flavors by drinking amniotic fluid, the taste of which is affected by the food eaten by the mother. Getting used to the most common foods in your environment continues after birth during breastfeeding, and the taste of breast milk also changes according to the food your mother eats. The taste of breast milk can also affect a child’s future taste habits.

Experts have found that the sweeter the amniotic fluid tastes, the more often the fetus swallows it. This is because sweet refers to carbohydrates, i.e. a non-toxic and safe source of energy, while sour refers to toxic foods. Even after birth, a child likes more sweet than sour and salty flavors during the first months of life.

How to stimulate a baby’s taste buds?

Parents can stimulate a baby’s sense of taste in different ways to help him or her become familiar with different tastes and mouthfeelings. Below are a few examples of this type of stimulation. The tips can be implemented at the stage when the child has started eating solid foods.

Combining familiar and new flavors

It is common for a small child to like certain flavors more than others, and he may reject some foods immediately. To prevent this, you should try combining flavors familiar and pleasant to your child with new flavors. The same food can be offered to a child on several occasions so that he gets used to its taste and composition. In general, however, providing different and varied foods is important so that the child does not get bored with the food.

Avoiding the display of negative emotions

It is important to try to feed the baby in a variety of ways, regardless of parental preferences and taste habits. Likewise, parents should avoid expressing their disgust with expressions and gestures when eating unpleasant food, as this can also make the child feel disgusting with the food.

Different structures and mouthfeel

At some point in their development, a small child puts everything in his mouth. This is a perfectly normal and baby way to explore the world. This is why it is worth offering a child to taste not only different flavors, but also different looks, colors and feelings at an early stage. All of this entices you to taste a variety of dishes.

Avoiding salt and sugar

The baby’s kidneys are not yet fully developed, and processing large amounts of sugar or salt is still difficult for them. Feeding spicy foods should also be avoided. Soft fruits and vegetables are a great way to stimulate your baby’s taste buds.

Respecting the baby’s pace

Each child develops at their own individual pace, and some children adopt new flavors faster than other children. Parents must therefore be patient in introducing their baby to new foods. A child’s own rhythm determines when he or she is ready to eat what flavors and how large portions of new foods he or she wants to eat.

Under no circumstances should eating situations be turned into repetitive battles, and the child should not be forced to eat. Some children even take months to adopt new flavors and compositions. The best way to stimulate your baby’s taste buds is to make the eating experience a fun activity.