Pregnancy Fun Fact: Can Babies Taste Food in the Womb?
In a way, yes. Your baby can’t eat your dinner, but they can get a little hint of its flavour. Some flavours from the food you eat pass into the waters around your baby, and your baby swallows those waters as they grow.
It’s a lovely thought. Every meal you enjoy is a tiny tasting session for your little one.
How does my baby taste what I eat?
Your baby floats in a fluid called amniotic fluid, often known as the waters. Your baby swallows small amounts of it every day. Some flavours from the food and drinks you have can reach these waters, so as your baby’s taste buds develop, they get a gentle early taste of your meals.
It’s a sweet way you and your baby are already sharing everyday life together.
When do babies start to taste in the womb?
Taste buds start forming early in pregnancy. The NHS says your baby already has a tiny mouth and tongue with taste buds at around 9 weeks. By around 22 weeks, the NHS says your baby’s taste buds are developing and could be influenced by what you eat. Their sense of taste keeps growing until birth.
It’s amazing how much your baby is learning before you even meet.
Do I need to eat differently in pregnancy?
You don’t need to eat more, but some foods are best avoided while you’re pregnant. The NHS advises skipping things like raw or undercooked meat, liver, raw fish and alcohol. Alongside that, a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables is ideal, and a mix of flavours is a lovely bonus for your baby.
If you’re looking for practical meal ideas or want to compare what different guides cover, read our guide to six pregnancy nutrition books and cookbooks.
Foods to avoid in pregnancy
The NHS says it’s safest to avoid:
- raw or undercooked meat, and game such as venison, pheasant and goose
- liver and liver products, as they contain a lot of vitamin A
- unpasteurised milk, cream and yoghurt, and some soft cheeses unless cooked until steaming hot
- raw fish and shellfish, including sushi made with raw fish, plus swordfish, shark and marlin
- raw or runny eggs, unless they have the red British Lion stamp or the Laid in Britain logo
- alcohol
Keep caffeine to no more than 200mg a day. The NHS foods to avoid page has the full list.
Within those limits, the NHS recommends a variety of foods and at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. There’s no need to eat for two.
If sickness means you’re relying on toast and crackers for a while, focus on what you can manage and add variety gradually when you feel able. If sickness is severe or your diet stays very limited, speak to your midwife or GP rather than struggling on alone.
Frequently asked questions
Are there specific foods that help develop a baby’s taste preferences positively?
No single food is proven to create an adventurous eater. Carrots are one of the best-studied examples: a small trial found that babies whose mothers drank carrot juice during pregnancy showed fewer negative facial expressions when trying carrot-flavoured cereal at around six months. That does not make carrot juice a pregnancy requirement.
If you feel well enough, enjoy a balanced mix of vegetables, fruit, wholegrains and protein foods, using familiar family dishes. Think variety rather than special “taste-training” foods; there is no proven prenatal menu that prevents picky eating.
What should I do if I can’t eat a varied diet due to morning sickness?
Focus first on food and fluids you can manage, rather than forcing variety. Try small, frequent meals, plain foods such as toast, rice or crackers, cooler foods if smells trigger nausea, and regular small sips of water. Add other foods gradually as symptoms improve.
Ordinary morning sickness does not usually put your baby at increased risk, but severe or persistent vomiting needs support. Speak to your midwife or GP if your diet remains very limited or you cannot keep recommended supplements down; they can discuss nutrition and anti-sickness treatment.
Contact your midwife, GP or NHS 111 if you cannot keep food or fluids down for 24 hours, have very dark urine or have not passed urine for more than 8 hours, feel very weak or faint, or lose weight. Seek advice sooner if you feel unwell or worried; vomiting with tummy pain, fever or blood also needs medical advice.
How strong is the evidence that prenatal flavours influence later food preferences?
The evidence is promising but limited. A systematic review found limited but consistent evidence that certain flavours from a mother’s diet reach amniotic fluid and can influence babies’ responses to familiar flavours after birth.
However, studies are generally small, cover only a few flavours and often measure short-term reactions rather than everyday eating habits. Evidence for lasting effects beyond weaning is much less certain. Prenatal flavour exposure is not proven to prevent picky eating, so there is no need to treat your pregnancy diet as a test you must get right.
Is it safe to eat traditional or spicy foods from my culture during pregnancy?
Yes, many traditional dishes and spicy foods can be enjoyed during pregnancy. You do not need to give up your cuisine: what matters is the ingredients, food hygiene and preparation, not the dish’s cultural origin. Choose thoroughly cooked meat and fish, pasteurised milk and yoghurt, and carefully washed produce.
Avoid raw fish or shellfish, undercooked meat, liver and alcohol, and follow NHS advice for other foods that need extra care. Chilli and spices do not need to be avoided simply because you are pregnant, although reducing them may help if they worsen heartburn or nausea. Check with a pharmacist or midwife before taking herbal remedies or concentrated supplements; these are not the same as seasoning a meal.
The bottom line
Yes, in a gentle way. Flavours from your meals can reach the waters around your baby, giving them an early introduction to taste. Enjoy a varied, balanced diet, steer clear of the foods the NHS advises avoiding, and don’t worry on the days when it’s plain and simple.
Sources and further reading
- NHS 111 Wales: Pregnancy guide, 9 to 12 weeks
- NHS Best Start in Life: 22 weeks pregnant
- NHS: Have a healthy diet in pregnancy
- NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy
- NHS: Indigestion and heartburn in pregnancy
- Mennella JA, Jagnow CP, Beauchamp GK. Prenatal and postnatal flavor learning by human infants. Pediatrics, 2001
- Spahn JM et al. Influence of maternal diet on flavor transfer to amniotic fluid and breast milk and children’s responses: a systematic review. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2019. Evidence on flavour transfer and the limits of conclusions about later eating habits.
- Forestell CA and Mennella JA. Does maternal diet influence future infant taste and odor preferences? A critical analysis. Annual Review of Nutrition, 2024. Review of prenatal flavour learning and uncertainty about lasting effects beyond weaning.
- NHS: Vomiting and morning sickness. Practical food and fluid advice, treatment and warning signs.
- Whittington Health NHS: Eating well for a healthy pregnancy. Includes advice on spicy food, curry and heartburn.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice from your own doctor, midwife or other qualified health professional. Always speak to your GP or maternity team about any concerns during pregnancy. Content reflects UK guidance checked in November 2026.
