Introducing New Flavors to Babies

Breast Milk Introduces New Flavors 

• Your newborn tastes more new flavors during breastfeeding. Spices, herbs and natural flavors from foods such as onions and garlic can give breast milk a distinct taste. This introduces your baby to the taste of foods in your diet.  
• Breastfeeding moms should eat a diversity of foods — especially fruits and vegetables — to maximize the nutritional content of their breast milk. 

Try Foods More Than Once-Key! 

• Babies are naturally afraid of new things so you may have to serve the same food several times before your child takes a taste. If your child doesn't like a food, reintroduce it again in a few days to build exposure and familiarity. 
• One of the best things parents can do is make mealtimes calm and enjoyable. Refrain from pressuring your child to eat certain foods. Model good eating behavior in front of your children,  and keep exposing them to a variety of colorful foods. 
• Once your child has progressed to table foods, serve dishes with seasonings that are part of your family food culture such as cinnamon, curry powder, chili powder, cilantro or garlic. 
• Avoid highly spicy seasonings that could irritate the mouth or tongue such as cayenne pepper or hot sauce until your child is a bit older. 
• Also, keep salt to a minimum so that your child gets used to the natural flavors of unsalted or lightly salted foods.  

Conclusion: 

Eat a diversity of foods during and after pregnancy, as babies are experiencing flavors before they enter the world and during breastfeeding. After breastfeeding, continue to expose children to a variety of colors and flavors. 

Motivational Quote: “Be yourself. An original is so much better than a copy.”   --  Unknown