Where does amniotic fluid come from?
That fluid surrounding the baby is actually flavored by the foods and beverages the mother has eaten in the last few hours.
The Scent Of Amniotic Fluid
Introducing Babies To Food Culture
"And just like the European rabbit, the babies who had experienced carrot in amniotic fluid or mother's milk ate more of the carrot-flavored cereal," says Mennella. Instilling A Love Of Chinese Flavors Before Birth
New research by the Monell Chemical Senses Center finds parents can influence a baby's tastes and food memories before they are born.
"Things like vanilla, carrot, garlic, anise, mint -- these are some of the flavors that have been shown to be transmitted to amniotic fluid or mother's milk," Julie Mennella, a researcher at Monell, told.The babies are feasting on the flavored amniotic fluid, forming memories of these flavors even before birth.
For example, eating broccoli while pregnant means there's a better chance your baby will like broccoli more than another baby would, whose mother did not eat broccoli.