title: Food-related sensory experience from birth through weaning: contrasted patterns in two nearby European regions.
abstract: This study describes infant feeding practices among mothers from two European regions from the perspective of early sensory experiences. Two groups of mothers, one in Dijon , France (n=139), the other in Aalen , Germany (n=157) with infants aged 4-9 months were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Clear between- and within-group differences in weaning practices were found, particularly with respect to breastfeeding duration (Aalen>Dijon) and exposure to flavour variety early in weaning (Dijon>Aalen). By 4 months, 65% of infants in Dijon and 20% in Aalen, had received their first non-milk, solid foods. Before beginning to wean, 39% of mothers in Dijon offered their infant a variety of foods "just for a taste". This was the case for only 25% of mothers in Aalen. During the first 28 days of weaning, infants in Dijon were offered a greater number of vegetables compared to those in Aalen and more frequent changes from day-to-day. Thus, while Aalen infants were likely to be exposed for a longer period to different sensory experiences via breast milk, Dijon infants tended to be exposed to a greater flavour variety during the first weeks of weaning.
authors: Nestlé Research Center, CH-1000, Lausanne 26, Switzerland.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Maier
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Chabanet
authors: Benoist
authors: B
authors: Schaal
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Leathwood
authors: Sylvie
authors: S
authors: Issanchou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D005602:France; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D008297:Male; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013649:Taste / Q000502:physiology; D014675:Vegetables; D014886:Weaning