It has been scientifically proven that babies and young children form their own ideas of what is, or is not, "delicious". In one study, several babies were fed a normal-tasting baby formula, and an equal number were fed a "disgusting" tasting formula. Later, the babies fed the normal formula refused to imbibe the disgusting formula, and vice versa.

Now, consider this: The nipples on baby bottles and pacifiers are, by far, the most friendly and comforting items to young babies. If these prepackaged nipples were flavored with the tastes of healthy vegetables, children would be conditioned to enjoy the tastes of such vegetables. For example, "Broccoli Nipples", "Spinach Nipples", and even "Brussels Sprouts Nipples" could be sold. These products, manufactured cheaply, could send children on their way to a healthy lifestyle, and perhaps even solve the current problem in the U.S. of childhood obesity.
-- Lottere, Aug 23 2009

US Patent 5,932,262 http://www.google.c...ts?vid=USPAT5932262
Trying to get children to drink more by improving the taste of e.g. water - not what this idea is about; but the technology could be similar. [jutta, Aug 23 2009]

Frankly, I'm tempted to give you the bun just because this idea isn't smutty, but then I realised it's a good idea too, so wow!

[+]
-- Germanicus, Aug 23 2009


not sure how you make real nipples taste of spinach and breast feeding is best.
-- po, Aug 23 2009


I think this is a great idea. I also think a new name might make it more marketable. Something cute and cuddly. Hmmmmm. I'll get back to you. But for now have an itty, bitty, teeny, weeny baby bun.
-- blissmiss, Aug 23 2009


To everyone: Thanks for the feedback, both positive and negative!

po: I agree that breast feeding is best, but many people are unable to breast feed their children regularly.

21 Quest: Weening would be equally easy. Normal nipples and pacifiers also have a taste, albeit a "rubber" taste instead of a vegetable one. The taste would simply be different with Flavored Nipples. Additionally, many babies don't have teeth during the breastfeeding stage, and I don't think the simple fact that the nipples would be flavored like broccoli instead of rubber would make babies chew on them.
-- Lottere, Aug 23 2009


So, not a...oh, nevermind.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Aug 23 2009


//I don't claim to be an expert in such areas, not by any means, but my expectation with this idea is that it will not work as intended.//

Marked for verbose but universally applicable tagline
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Aug 23 2009


From my experience, babies like pretty much any food you give them. It is generally only after they have been weened that they will start showing a fussiness over food. So I don't think it will have much of an effect.

If someone were to make these, I would hope they would first perform rigorous tests to confirm it works. I really don't like products being sold to concerned parents on the basis of an unconfirmed hypothesis.
-- xaviergisz, Aug 23 2009


In my experience, every one I've ever tasted has been girl-flavored.

And I think there's supposed to be an "a" in weaning.
-- normzone, Aug 23 2009


21 Quest: you are very correct, good sir. I do believe that many, many tests would have to be done to ensure that the taste of the nipple would be acceptably equivalent to that of the real veggie.

Xavier: I'll search for an article I referenced and link you to it--the results are very interesting, and I do believe that what a baby tastes does affect it's tastes later on.

Normzone: If you want to raise more little Quagmires, I guess girl-flavor could be a possibility :P
-- Lottere, Aug 24 2009


perhaps the solution solves best the problem of obesity in USA children or was written specifically as a solute for that problem and isn't guaranteed to work on anything else...

or maybe you read "perhaps even..." as "only..." for some reason ;D
-- FlyingToaster, Aug 24 2009


I was told that the sulphurs in veggies like broccoli and spinach were too strong for the child's taste buds. Consider also that formula and breast milk are rather sweet. I think this would not work as hoped.
-- dentworth, Aug 25 2009


the product development research could be most enjoyable
-- smendler, Aug 27 2009



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