Our first taste experience

Innate or acquired?

Even before birth a baby can perceive - and enjoy - sweetness. Scientists have proved this by observing foetuses. They have discovered that the taste buds, (clusters of receptor cells on the surface of the tongue) are already functioning from the third month of pregnancy. These enable the baby to recognise that the amniotic fluid tastes different when the mother is given glucose.

The baby’s facial expression and behaviour changes in response to the sweet flavour. The child swallows more often and may even give the ghost of a smile.

Newborn babies soon show a liking for sweet things but an aversion to salty, bitter or acid flavours. They will accept and swallow a drop of sweetened liquid placed on the tongue and will look relaxed and sometimes smile.

Do very young babies “remember” what happened in the womb? Later, through experience and upbringing they learn to appreciate other flavours.