Did you know that eating is a full-body, multisensory experience? From the very first days of life, babies begin processing sensory information that influences their feeding journey. Understanding this can help parents and caregivers foster a positive and developmentally appropriate approach to feeding.
Early Sensory Development and Feeding
An infant’s sensory system plays a crucial role in the development of oral sensorimotor skills. The mouth contains some of the earliest-developing sensory receptors, meaning that a baby starts experiencing taste and texture sensations right from birth.
In fact, early taste exposure begins as soon as day one. Breastmilk, for instance, carries flavors influenced by the mother’s diet, introducing a baby to a variety of tastes even before solid foods are introduced. Formula-fed babies also experience distinct flavors depending on the type of formula used. Research suggests that these early exposures contribute to food and flavor preferences later in childhood, making those first feeding experiences even more impactful.
Introducing Solids: A Multisensory Event
When it’s time to introduce solid foods, it’s important to remember that eating involves more than just taste. A child must process the experience through multiple sensory systems, including:
- Olfactory (Smell): The aroma of food plays a significant role in taste perception and acceptance. Even the exposure to different smells of food may play a part.
- Touch (Tactile): The texture of food, as well as the sensation of it on lips, tongue, and hands, influences acceptance and tolerance. Allowing them to explore food early on is an important step in food acceptance.
- Vision: Babies observe the color, shape, and presentation of food before even taking a bite.
- Taste (Gustatory): Exposure to a variety of flavors is important to aid in developing a diverse palate.
- Auditory (Hearing): The sound of food being chewed or the crunch of a bite can be either inviting or overwhelming.
- Proprioception: The way food feels in the mouth helps with motor planning for chewing and swallowing. Oral motor exploration on teethers early on can help this experience be more positive.
- Balance (Vestibular): Postural control and head stability affect a baby’s ability to sit up and eat safely. We want to ensure that a baby has good trunk control and is seated in a supported position prior to introducing solids.
- Interoception: Internal cues, like hunger and fullness, guide how much a baby eats. Early feeding experiences will influences these cues.
By acknowledging all these sensory factors, therapists and parents can support a child’s feeding experience in a way that promotes comfort, curiosity, and skill development. A positive, pressure-free approach that respects the child’s sensory processing abilities sets the stage for lifelong healthy eating habits.
Final Thoughts
Feeding is more than just nutrition—it’s a full sensory adventure. Recognizing how early sensory experiences shape food preferences and comfort levels can help caregivers create a supportive and enriching feeding journey for their little ones. Our role as therapists involves educating parents and equipping them with the tools to carry out feeding therapy goals at home where the child will get the necessary practice to master and integrate the feeding skills they are gaining. Ready to dive into feeding therapy and expand your clinical skills? Be sure to sign up for the next cohort of Feed The Peds®!
