Your baby’s sense of taste is extremely good after birth, and the taste buds in his mouth develop further with different flavors.
From birth to the 3rd month
At this stage, your baby’s sense of taste is very sensitive. In fact, when a baby is compared to an adult, the taste buds in its mouth are stronger than the taste buds in the adult’s mouth. In newborn babies, the taste bud can be found on the tongue as well as on the back of the tonsils and throat.
During the first three months, your baby can distinguish sweet and bitter tastes. They prefer sweet flavors like breast milk.
Between 3 – 6 months
By 3 months of age, your baby’s tongue has grown. You may notice her putting things like toys or blankets in her mouth. This shows that he uses his language to try to understand different textures and tastes.
At about 5 months, your baby’s sense of taste changes and she/he may be more responsive to salty tastes. Still, it’s not a good idea to give your baby salty food at this stage.
Between 6-12 months
At 6 months of age, the taste of the solid foods you will give after breast milk and formula may surprise your baby. After getting used to the taste of milk, it is quite natural for the her/him to react to other foods.
When you start solid food, you will find that your baby immediately likes the taste of the new food. It is also likely that he/she will refuse certain foods and you may need to try to feed the refused foods a few more times. Experts argue that your baby needs to try the food at least eight times to decide whether she/he likes it or not.
At about 7 or 8 months, your baby has the skills to try solid foods on her/his own. This is a good opportunity to try new flavors and explore different textures with the help of a variety of soft fruits or vegetables.