Sensitive Periods in Human Flavor Learning

Sensitive Periods in Human Flavor Learning

The goals of the proposed research are to specify the timing and consequences of the sensitive period for flavor learning in infants who are being breastfed or formula fed. The investigators will conduct a randomized within- and between-subject study of women and their infants during a 15-month window.

This is a randomized clinical trial on both breastfeeding and formula feeding infants to determine the effects of the timing of flavor experiences on subsequent food acceptance in both members of the dyad.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy, term infants and their mothers
• Infants 2 wks (+/- 2 wk of age)
• Mothers and infants exclusively breastfeeding or exclusively feeding a cows-milk based formula
• Mothers must be older than 18 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

• Infants who were preterm or have medical conditions that interfere with feeding or eating
• Mothers who had gestational diabetes or are diagnosed with a major illness requiring treatment or surgery
• Mothers who will be going back to work full-time before the infant is 4 months old
• Mothers who are allergic to any vegetables
• Subjects will not be excluded because of economic status, gender, race or ethnicity.