Eating, from early childhood, has not only biological but also psychological, social, and cultural significance. As soon as a baby is born, they are placed on the mother’s breast to promote bonding and the successful initiation of breastfeeding: in this way, the baby receives the best possible nourishment and the deep bond between mother and child\u2014known as bonding\u2014is strengthened. As the months go by, moments related to breastfeeding and the first solid foods continue to have fundamental importance, also in terms of relationships and psychophysical development. Even in intrauterine life, the baby experiences and gradually refines their ability to feed and swallow.<\/p>\n
Once born, the baby already has genetic potentials, which are expressed through instinctive behaviors that allow them to survive immediately after birth: reflexes.<\/strong> Some of these, such as the sucking reflex, form the foundation\u2014together with the sensory systems\u2014on which subsequent abilities will be built and, over time, will become true skills.
\nDuring the first year of life, the feeding function is made up of new experiences that follow one another rapidly. Consider that only six months pass from when the baby’s diet is exclusively milk-based to the introduction of the first spoon-fed foods and, later, various solid foods.<\/p>\n\t\t