Nutrition from birth
A few hours after birth, infants can make facial expressions in response to tasting sweet, bitter, and sour flavors. Babies press their lips together and show a grimace when tasting something sour. In contrast, newborns will relax their face and respond positively to a sweet taste.
A learning process for taste already begins in the womb. It has been shown that a fetus is capable of “tasting” the amniotic fluid. Breast milk resembles amniotic fluid in both smell and taste, which enables a baby to recognize its own mother’s milk.
Breast milk has a sweet taste and provides the newborn with complete nutrition and protection. It also introduces new flavors derived from the mother’s diet. For example, if the mother enjoys carrots and eats them regularly, that flavor will be passed on to the baby through the breast milk. This way, the baby becomes familiar with different tastes and learns to appreciate them.
Breastfeeding is the most beautiful and best gift a baby can receive. The love and connection with your baby during breastfeeding is truly unmatched. Breast milk contains many valuable nutrients and antibodies that are essential for your baby’s growth and development. A baby benefits most from these advantages when breastfeeding is continued for at least six months.
