07/02/2023
During pregnancy. If a pregnant person is making a habit of eating at least one "unusual," new, or bitter food a few times per week it exposes the baby in utero to this flavor. The flavors pass into the amniotic fluid, giving the unborn baby an early "taste" of foods that they may then be more willing to eat later. Babies drink amniotic fluid during pregnancy.
Infancy. Eating a wide variety of foods while nursing can increase a child's exposure to those foods through human milk. Making flavors more familiar decreases the chance a child will reject them in solid foods.
Once a parent introduces solids at about 6 months old, they should offer one new food at a time, with a plan to include bitter vegetables, fish, and a little bit of spice from the very beginning. Parents can introduce foods with a variety of textures and smells. Babies have immature taste buds, which make them open to eating just about anything their first year or so of eating solid foods. When starting solids, food must be soft and small enough to prevent choking.
Toddler. Between 18 months and 2 years of age, many children start to show a dislike of unfamiliar foods called "neophobia." Going with the flow while also making it a habit to eat family meals together might make things easier on all family members.
I would recommend continuing offering at least one food the child dislikes at each meal whether the child eats them or not along with a healthy balance of other foods they like. To avoid food waste, parents can serve small portions of foods more likely to be rejected.
Having said all that, with my two children, one is still very picky as a teenager whereas the other is not. How is it for you and your children?
