Ability to taste

[Lily's Mom]

Hi Margee,
I originally agreed that Lily couldn't taste much because of her trach, and the logic of it still makes sense, but now I'm not so sure. She loves pureed fruits and gobbles them down when she's in the mood, but the green veggies end up on Mommy every time; she screams and spits them out. The textures aren't that different, so she must taste the difference, I guess!
http://www.twinEnterprises.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif <--Lily eating peas
Erica (Lily's Mom)

[Heather Trotter]

I always thought about that subject also. So what I did was test the taste buds. I will give morgan something sweet. Like cake or frosting and she would just gobble it right up. Then I gave her a pickle and I will tell you her face squinted all up and she shook her head. Her facial expression was so intense. I have no doubt in my mind they can taste. Smell well, that's another story. Give it a try and see what different things your child does to different flavors. http://www.twinEnterprises.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Mom2TwinsPlus1]

Emma has no swallow reflex due to her brain damage. So unless she learns it she will always be trached and g-tubed. However I have tried several drops of breast milk in her mouth and a dum-dum lollipop just to give her something to taste. Its hard to tell if she is tasting things since she is trached and also because we aren't sure if she is ok neurologically. She did open her eyes and her mouth when I put the drop or two of milk in so I think she did taste it. We are going to start speech therapy soon to hopefully help her gain a suck and swallow reflex. I will try some new flavors on her toungue soon. I also use flavored lip balm on her so she can "taste" them.