Heinz Reveals How Babies ‘talk’ At The Dinner Table

New Heinz research reveals that babies communicate through facial expressions and gestures during mealtimes—decoding these cues can turn feeding time into a fun and stress-free experience for parents.

Heinz's latest research reveals that nearly half of parents struggle to decode their baby’s mealtime cues. With the help of Clinical Child Psychologist Dr. Angharad Rudkin, Heinz is on a mission to transform mealtimes from stress-filled guessing games into joyful bonding experiences.

Mealtime Confusion: What Are Babies Really Saying?

New research from Heinz has uncovered that 45% of UK parents find it difficult to interpret their baby’s reactions at mealtimes. Furthermore, 48% of parents believe they would enjoy feeding time more if they could better understand what their babies are trying to communicate.

To ease this challenge, Heinz partnered with Dr. Angharad Rudkin to decode baby body language and facial expressions—helping parents feel more confident while feeding their little ones.

Cracking the Code: What Your Baby’s Reactions Mean

According to Dr. Rudkin, babies are naturally expressive, using gestures and facial expressions to convey their thoughts. Here’s what parents need to know:

• Frowning: Unlike adults, babies frown not out of dislike but as a sign of curiosity when processing new flavors and textures.

• Eye Contact: Babies seek reassurance by locking eyes with their caregivers. A warm, encouraging response helps build their confidence to try new foods.

• Lip-Smacking: This adorable gesture is a sign of approval and excitement about new tastes and textures.

• Clenched Fists: This is usually a sign of tension, which can indicate discomfort or, in some cases, excitement when paired with an open, happy expression.

• Arms Flailing: Typically a sign of discomfort, often accompanied by crying or an unhappy face. However, don’t confuse this with happy hand-waving!

• Sticking Out Tongue: Licking, sucking, or sticking out their tongue is a playful sign of curiosity and openness to new experiences.

• Spitting Out Food or Dribbling: This isn’t always rejection! Babies often explore textures by spitting food out before putting it back in their mouths. Dribbling, on the other hand, often means they’re enjoying the taste.

  
  

Supporting Parents with Happy Mealtimes

Almudena Rein, Head of Heinz First Foods, emphasizes the importance of recognizing these signals. “What might seem like food rejection, such as frowning or spitting, is often a sign of curiosity or exploration. By understanding these cues, parents can approach mealtimes with confidence, making feeding a joyful experience for both them and their babies.”

For over 90 years, Heinz has been dedicated to making high-quality baby food designed to nourish and delight even the pickiest eaters. Their mission is to support parents by reducing the stress of introducing solids and new flavors. To help further, Heinz has launched “Heinz’s Happy Highchair Hints” on the Heinz for Baby UK Instagram page, offering expert tips to make mealtimes easier and more enjoyable.

Embracing the Joy of Mealtimes

Mealtimes should be an opportunity for connection, not confusion. With the right knowledge, parents can turn food exploration into a positive experience. So next time your baby frowns, don’t panic—it might just mean they’re discovering a new favorite flavor!

Because when it comes to feeding little ones, It Has to Be Heinz.

Author: Heinz For Baby UK

Instagram: @HeinzforBabyUK