HHS HealthBeat (December 03, 2007)

Eat right, Baby

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Want Baby to eat those green beans? Keep trying. A researcher who watched babies’ brows furrow and noses wrinkle when they were first getting the foods says the babies ate more, over time.

Julie Mennella of the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia reported on it in the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Journal, Pediatrics. 

Mennella also found that accustoming babies to new foods starts early. Moms who ate more peaches while they breastfed had babies who tended to like peaches.

``I would recommend that women eat the fruits and vegetables that they enjoy while they’re pregnant and lactating because the baby is going to learn about these flavors, since they’re going to flavor both amniotic fluid and mother’s milk.’’ (12 seconds)

So: ``Eat your peaches, Baby.’’

``You first, Mom.’’

The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: May, 26 2008