How many times may infants need to be exposed to a new food before they accept it?

How many times may infants need to be exposed to a new food before they accept it?

• A. Up to 20 times.
• B. Once.
• C. Five times.
• D. Thirty times.

Answer: (A)

Repeated exposure to a new food helps infants learn to accept it. Infants don’t usually take to a new taste right away; it often takes multiple experiences for the flavor and texture to become familiar and acceptable. Guidance from pediatric practice suggests acceptance commonly emerges after several exposures—often around 8 to 15 times, and in some cases up to about 20 exposures. Hence, saying “up to 20 times” best reflects the typical range for becoming willing to eat a new food. To support this process, offer the new food in small portions alongside familiar foods, keep the atmosphere relaxed, avoid pressuring the child, and repeat exposure across several meals or days. If a child continues to reject a food after many attempts, consider trying again later with different preparations or textures.

Repeated exposure to a new food helps infants learn to accept it. Infants don’t usually take to a new taste right away; it often takes multiple experiences for the flavor and texture to become familiar and acceptable. Guidance from pediatric practice suggests acceptance commonly emerges after several exposures—often around 8 to 15 times, and in some cases up to about 20 exposures. Hence, saying “up to 20 times” best reflects the typical range for becoming willing to eat a new food.

To support this process, offer the new food in small portions alongside familiar foods, keep the atmosphere relaxed, avoid pressuring the child, and repeat exposure across several meals or days. If a child continues to reject a food after many attempts, consider trying again later with different preparations or textures.