Mealtimes with a baby can be unpredictable one moment, a delighted giggle, the next, a spoonful of food flung across the room. But what if those frowns and puzzled expressions weren’t signs of dislike but rather curiosity?
A recent study by Heinz reveals that nearly half (45%) of UK parents struggle to interpret their baby’s mealtime cues, making feeding time more stressful than enjoyable. Additionally, 48% of parents admit they would find mealtimes far more rewarding if they could better understand their baby’s reactions.
Understanding Baby Cues with Expert Insight
To support parents in navigating mealtimes with confidence, Heinz has teamed up with leading Clinical Child Psychologist, Dr Angharad Rudkin. With over two decades of experience working with children and families, Dr Rudkin helps decode baby body language, providing insight into the hidden meanings behind their mealtime behaviours.
“Babies are natural communicators,” explains Dr Rudkin. Every expression, from wide-eyed wonder to a furrowed brow, tells us something about what they’re experiencing. The key is learning how to interpret these signals.
Decoding Baby Reactions at Mealtimes
Dr Rudkin breaks down the most common baby reactions and their meanings:
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Frowning: While adults often associate frowns with dislike, for babies, it usually signals curiosity. They’re processing a new taste or texture, not necessarily rejecting it.
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Eye Contact: Babies rely on eye contact for reassurance, especially when trying unfamiliar foods. Engaged and supportive responses from parents encourage exploration.
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Lip-Smacking: This is a sign of enjoyment! Babies experience food with their whole mouth, using lips, tongue, and gums to explore new flavours.
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Clenched Fists: Tension in the hands often indicates discomfort, whether from overstimulation, frustration, or a dislike of a particular food.
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Flailing Arms: Usually paired with crying or shouting, this signals distress. However, if the baby is smiling or laughing, it can also indicate excitement.
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Sticking Out Tongue: A playful gesture, often showing curiosity and openness to trying new foods.
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Spitting or Dribbling: Rather than outright rejection, spitting food out is a way for babies to explore new textures. Dribbling can also indicate enjoyment, as excess saliva is produced when they like a flavour.
Heinz’s Commitment to Happier Mealtimes
Almudena Rein, Head of Heinz First Foods, emphasises the importance of understanding these cues: “Behaviours like frowning or spitting out food are often signs of curiosity rather than rejection, as babies explore new flavours and textures. By recognising these signs, parents can respond with confidence, making mealtimes more positive and enjoyable for both them and their little ones.”
For over 90 years, Heinz has been dedicated to creating high-quality baby food that supports parents through every step of introducing solids. With expertise in crafting nutritious meals designed for little taste buds, the brand continues its mission to make mealtimes stress-free.
To further help parents, Heinz is also sharing ‘Heinz’s Happy Highchair Hints’ on their Heinz for Baby UK Instagram page, offering tips and support to transform mealtime chaos into joyful bonding moments. For happy mealtimes, it Has to Be Heinz.
