Taste Preferences in Babies: When and How do They Develop? with Alison Ventura, PhD

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

When do babies start learning about taste? And how can I help my baby learn to like a wide variety of foods? In this episode I interview Alison Ventura, PhD a researcher who worked at the Monnell Center and studied how taste preferences develop in infancy. We cover some of the research that studies fetal learning when babies react to their pregnant mom’s diet as well as the transfer of flavor compounds through breastmilk.

SUMMARY OF EPISODE

In this episode we’re talking about:

• HOW to read baby’s cues and follow their lead…even when you’re tempted to pressure feed

• WHY we need to step back and support our baby’s autonomy as they learn to self-feed

• WHAT emotional support at mealtimes looks like…it’s easier to do than you think!

ABOUT THE GUEST

• Dr. Alison Ventura is a PhD researcher at CalPoly San Luis Obispo who runs the Healthy Kids Lab

• Dr. Ventura’s previously worked at the Monnell Chemical Senses Center where she studied how babies develop food preferences

LINKS FROM EPISODE

• Episode 310 - Healthy Bottle Feeding: How to Be Responsive with Alison Ventura, PhD https://blwpodcast.com/episodes/310 

• Dr. Ventura’s lab’s page is here: https://healthykids.calpoly.edu/ 

• Dr. Ventura’s personal website linking to her taste preference research is here: https://www.alisonkventura.com/

• Monnell Chemical Senses Center: https://monell.org/ 

• Episode 155 - Bitter Vegetables: How to Safely Offer Bitter Vegetables for Baby-Led Weaning https://blwpodcast.com/episodes/155 

TRANSCRIPT OF EPISODE

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