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Can repetition help babies learn to appreciate flavors ?

Posted by Elin Oresten on

Did you know that children may need to be exposed to a taste up to 10-15 times before they appreciate it? A child's taste can simply change over time if you offer the food multiple times.

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Introduce flavors before the neophobic phase

There is a good opportunity to introduce new flavors (and textures) from when a baby is between 4-6 months and 12-18 months.

This is because when children are around 12-18 months old, they tend to become something called "neophobic," which means they generally become more afraid of new foods (and even certain foods they previously liked). In this phase, it often takes more exposure to new foods than before for the child to learn to like the taste (if they ever do).

If the child has been exposed to flavors before then, it can increase the chance that they will continue to like the flavors even during this tricky phase. For example, it can be good to expose the child to different types of vegetables and fruit so that the chance increases that these important food groups can be part of the child's diet when they grow up.

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Easy to misinterpret reactions

It may also be good to remember that it is easy to mistake a young child's reactions to food and interpret them as a sign that the child does not like the food. Of course, this can sometimes be the case, but often it is due to something else.


Examples of reactions that are easily misinterpreted are that the child shivers, spits out the food, makes faces, chokes, throws the food, etc. All of these things can be due to something completely different, such as the motor skills not being fully developed.

Good products for taste training

Elin gives tips!


If your child doesn't seem to like something new that you've served, they don't have to eat it - but try offering it again to see if they might like it more then.


We should never force a child to like something or to eat something the child doesn't want. But to give them the opportunity to try again, and again, and again. But in the end, of course, you have to throw in the towel if it doesn't work out.

More about taste training on the blog

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Elin Oresten Knatteplock

/Elin Oresten

Lic. nutritionist and founder of Knatteplock.

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Benefits of eating the same food the whole family

Make picked food at home

Children love to imitate, by eating the same food it facilitates learning and makes mealtime a positive experience of togetherness. As a parent you don't have to feed but can sit next to and enjoy the food.

Picking food gives children the opportunity to explore a variety of textures and consistencies at their own pace. This can lead to a healthier relationship with food and a greater enjoyment of eating. By offering different textures and flavors, the child gets a broader taste palette, and there is a greater chance that the appetite will continue even during the naturally picky period that usually comes around two years. Research shows that children who are introduced to a more varied diet from the start eat more variety and more vegetables later in life.

  • Promotes exploration and independence at mealtime.
  • Develops early chewing skills.
  • Simplifies family meals and strengthens community.

Why finger food ?

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Promotes exploration and independence at the meal
Develops early chewing abilities
Simplifies family meal time and strengthens the community

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Encourage the joy of eating by letting your child explore flavors and textures on their own. Start the food adventure today - we are here for you and your child through messes, discoveries and challenges.
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Common questions about picking food

Finger food is a way of offering food where the baby/child eats themselves either with their hands or with a spoon.

Finger foods give children the opportunity to explore a variety of textures and consistencies at their own pace, from an early age. This can lead to a healthier relationship with food and greater enjoyment of eating.

Make sure your baby shows signs of being ready for solid foods. She should be able to sit up in a chair on her own, be able to bring objects to her mouth on her own, and show an interest in food. Maybe your baby is reaching for your food or looking at your plate with fascination, then there is probably interest!

Consider offering foods that are fairly soft but easy to grasp. For example, sweet potato sticks, slices of liver pâté, cooked broccoli or omelette/pancake strips. Sandwiches with butter and/or liver pâté are also perfect for practicing motor skills. Slippery foods that are difficult to grasp can be rolled in seeds or sandwich crumbs. For example, avocado or banana. But in general, it is good to offer the baby what the rest of the family eats as often as possible.

Small babies don't have a pincer grip so it's big pieces that matter at first. The pieces should be longer than the palm of their hand because small babies (6 months) often can't open their palm on request. It may feel scary but it's actually safer with bigger pieces than smaller pieces when it's a small baby! If they take too big bites they spit it out again.

Read more here.

Many people worry about how their children will be able to chew finger foods without teeth. The good news is that it goes very well. Young children process food with their tongue, palate and toothless jaws.

Children only get molars when they are a little older (over 1 year old) and waiting to introduce solid foods until then can have negative consequences for the child's eating development.

Children don't learn to chew by eating puree, they learn to chew by practicing chewing different textures in their mouths.

Read more here.