The development of taste in babies

It is exciting to discover together with the baby how different skills, aptitudes and also the senses are developed. Of the five senses that we have, the sight, the ear, the taste, the smell and the touch, the one that first develops is the taste , that already begins to awaken in the maternal womb.

It is exciting to discover together with the baby how different skills, aptitudes and also the senses are developed. Of the five senses that we have, the sight, the ear, the taste, the smell and the touch, the one that first develops is the taste, that already begins to awaken in the maternal womb.

We make an emotional trip through the taste buds of the baby, from pregnancy to its first months through the time of his birth and that discovery of breast milk, a flavor and smell that will accompany him for life. How the sense of taste develops

How taste develops in babies

What is certain is the sense of taste begins to develop before birth. Through the amniotic fluid, the baby discovers the different flavors that his mother eats and it seems that these prenatal taste experiences can partly determine his later preference for some foods or others. From the moment of birth, the baby continues to increase his sensory experience of taste through breast milk.

In its first months, the sense of taste will gradually develop based on those flavors that distinguish breastfeeding. The clear preference for sweet flavors that will prevail throughout childhood is related to the taste of milk, both breast milk and formula milk. But we continue to advance in the development of taste.

By 5 months, the baby is already experimenting with textures and tastes putting objects in his mouth. The number of taste buds will increase and is able to recognize the differences between flavors. After 6 months, when the baby begins to eat solid foods, you may be surprised or even reject some flavors because they are too different from the milk to which you are accustomed.

This moment is crucial to determine the future feeding of the baby. We must insist on food again and again, even if at first it rejects them. That rejection comes from ignorance, from novelty, not necessarily because you do not like the taste. If we want our baby to grow up healthy, we must include all kinds of food in his diet. And if you get used to it from baby, it will be much easier for us to succeed in the subsequent infant feeding.

Laura Vélez. Editor of Guiainfantil.com