Stages of Babies Know the Taste of Food, from Birth to 12 Months

Medical Video: Baby and Toddler Milestones, Dr. Lisa Shulman

The ability to recognize the very important taste possessed by the baby, this is of course related to the intake and food to be consumed. Maybe all mothers wonder when babies get to know the taste of food. The answer is when the baby is still in the womb. Yes, when in the womb exactly at the age of pregnancy enters the 9th week, the mouth and tongue of the fetus begin to be formed. At this age, taste buds (the parts contained on the tongue that act as recipients of taste) begin to appear on the fetus' tongue. Then, how do babies recognize taste?

Newborns up to the age of 3 months

After your baby is born, the sense of taste that is on the baby's tongue is very sensitive. Even the ability to feel the taste that is owned by the baby is better than adults because it has taste buds that are larger and many in size. These taste buds are not only on the tongue, but also on the tonsils and the back of the baby's throat. Babies will feel sweet and sour at that time. But they prefer sweetness. This is one reason why your baby likes breast milk.

Infants aged 3-6 months

Babies who are three months old will develop on the tongue. This is indicated by the baby always putting fingers or stuffing into his mouth. This condition indicates that the baby tries to understand different tastes and textures. Then when the baby is 5 months old, he can already know and recognize the salty taste, even though it is not a good idea to give him salty food at this stage.

Infants aged 6-12 months

Babies may be given complementary food when they enter 6 months. From complementary foods provided by breast milk, babies begin to get to know taste. When a baby is given complementary food for the first time, he will be shocked and try to adapt to the taste of the food he just knows. This happens because for 6 months the baby only knows sweetness.

Some experts suggest giving babies a variety of complementary foods. This is to help the baby get to know the taste and increase the 'insight' you will feel. Starting from here, tastes and preferences for food will be formed. When a baby entering the age of 7 months begins to learn to hold his own food, this is a good opportunity for you to give him other solid foods, so the baby will get to know their taste and texture.

Will the baby have food tastes like his parents?

Not necessarily. Baby's taste is influenced by various things, although one of them is genetic. Your baby may tend to like the taste of the food he feels while still in the womb - this depends on what you eat. But over time, the baby will recognize the taste and get used to the taste of food given to him. The period where the baby knows the taste is very influential on his likes and tastes until he grows up.

How do you introduce various food flavors to babies?

First of all, give your child a food that is dense but has no taste, such as vegetables or fruits that have no taste. Then, after he is accustomed to the texture of the dense food, give him solid, flavorful food. You can start giving vegetables that have sweet taste, such as carrots or sweet potatoes. Sweetness is preferred by babies even before he is born, but try not to add sugar to the food you give.

When you provide complementary breastfeeding to babies, your baby may not immediately receive it. It takes time for adaptation to get to know the taste and make it like the taste of the food. Therefore, some experts say that at least give baby food as much as 8 times before deciding your baby doesn't like it.

Stages of Babies Know the Taste of Food, from Birth to 12 Months

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