Trusting a Child’s Intuition: How Dr. Clara Marie Davis Revolutionized Infant Feeding
On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate the remarkable contributions of Dr. Clara Marie Davis, a pioneering woman whose groundbreaking research transformed the way we understand child feeding. At a time when strict dietary prescriptions ruled pediatric care, Davis boldly challenged conventional wisdom, proving that children—when given the right environment—can instinctively choose the nutrients their growing bodies need. Her work in the 1920s and beyond laid the foundation for what we now call responsive feeding, an approach that prioritizes the child’s internal cues of hunger and fullness, creating a lifelong foundation for healthy eating habits and a positive relationship with food.
A Historical Glimpse: How Feeding Practices Have Evolved
Throughout history, infant feeding has been shaped by necessity, cultural beliefs, and scientific discoveries. Before the agricultural revolution, babies relied exclusively on their mother’s milk, supplemented by foraged and hunted foods once they were ready. As civilizations advanced, innovations such as ceramic feeding cups allowed infants to consume animal milk, a development that contributed to population growth but also led to widespread malnutrition due to poor substitutes for human milk.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, feeding advice became increasingly rigid. Pediatricians began prescribing detailed meal plans that parents were expected to follow precisely. This shift, driven by the emerging field of nutrition science, often led to mealtime battles, with many children resisting the strict diets imposed upon them. Reports suggest that up to 90% of pediatric visits involved concerns over children refusing to eat what was prescribed, a phenomenon then labeled ‘anorexia.’
Image Source: Find a Grave. (n.d.). Clara M. Davis (1892-1974) - Find a Grave Memorial. Retrieved March 8, 2025, from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21704043/clara_m-davis
Dr. Clara Marie Davis & The Food Preference Experiment of 1926
Dr. Clara Marie Davis, a physician with a keen interest in child nutrition, set out to explore a radical question: What would happen if infants were given complete autonomy in choosing their own foods? Could they, without parental pressure or guidance, instinctively nourish themselves adequately?
To answer this, she conducted an unprecedented study at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Over a six-year period, she observed 15 infants between six and eleven months old—some orphans, others children of single mothers. Each day, the infants were presented with a variety of whole, unprocessed foods. The list included fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, meats, fish, and dairy products.
The rules were simple:
Infants were free to choose from around 10 foods at each meal.
Each food was presented separately in individual bowls.
A nurse sat quietly nearby, ready to offer a spoonful if the child pointed to or reached for a dish, but she could not comment, encourage, or guide their choices in any way.
There was no correction of manners, portion control, or intervention in their selections.
The Astonishing Results & The Birth of Responsive Feeding
Davis’s findings were nothing short of revolutionary:
Every child sampled nearly all 34 foods offered, except for two cases where an infant never attempted lettuce, and another never tried spinach.
Each child developed unique taste preferences, with some going through phases of eating only two or three specific foods at a time.
No two children ate the same diet on any given day, week, or month.
All of the infants, who initially arrived at the hospital in poor health, became healthy and well-nourished within months.
When experiencing illness, children appeared to ‘self-medicate’ by selecting foods rich in nutrients their bodies needed—such as an increase in carrots, beets, and beef when fighting a cold.
Despite the absence of dietary guidance, the infants’ overall intake balanced out to an average ratio of 17% protein, 35% fat, and 48% carbohydrates—remarkably close to modern nutritional recommendations.
This study was among the earliest demonstrations of what is now known as responsive feeding, an approach that respects a child’s natural hunger and satiety cues. Responsive feeding is defined as a feeding practice in which caregivers provide nutritious food options and allow the child to decide how much to eat, without pressure, rewards, or coercion. Research has since shown that responsive feeding fosters healthier eating habits, reduces mealtime stress, and supports the development of intuitive eating skills that last into adulthood.
Why Davis’s Work Matters Today
Dr. Davis’s research demonstrated that a child’s appetite and food preferences are shaped not only by genetics but also by the environment in which they are fed. Her study offered compelling evidence that children, when provided with a variety of healthy foods in a supportive setting, can self-regulate and thrive.
This work laid the foundation for a shift in pediatric nutrition, influencing notable figures like Dr. Benjamin Spock, who encouraged parents to trust their children’s appetites rather than rigidly control them. Spock famously wrote in his book Baby and Child Care that “a mother can trust an unspoiled child’s appetite to choose a wholesome diet if she serves him a reasonable variety of natural and unrefined foods.”
Science Confirms What Davis Knew Decades Ago
Modern research continues to support Davis’s findings. Studies on food preferences in twins suggest that while genetics play a role—especially in taste sensitivity—environmental influences are equally significant. Researchers have found that:
Genetic factors have a stronger influence on preferences for fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich foods (48–54%).
Shared environment effects play a major role in preferences for dairy, starches, and energy-dense snacks (54–60%).
Food choices are highly modifiable, especially in early childhood, through repeated exposure and positive modeling by caregivers.
Responsive feeding aligns perfectly with these findings, reinforcing the idea that while children may have innate tendencies toward certain food preferences, their environment plays a crucial role in shaping their eating habits. When parents provide a structured yet pressure-free eating environment, children are more likely to develop balanced and diverse diets.
The Legacy of Dr. Clara Marie Davis: A Message for Women Today
On this Women’s Day, we honor Dr. Clara Marie Davis not only for her contributions to child nutrition but also for embodying the spirit of fearless inquiry, innovation, and trust in the innate wisdom of children. She defied the norms of her time, advocating for a feeding philosophy that respected children’s natural instincts. Her work continues to inspire parents, pediatricians, and feeding specialists to create environments where children feel safe, supported, and empowered to explore food at their own pace.
As women, we can carry forward Davis’s legacy by embracing our own intuition—whether in feeding our children, making decisions about our families, or challenging outdated norms. Her story reminds us that sometimes, the best way to nourish the future is to listen, trust, and create spaces where children—and women—can thrive on their own terms.
References
Davis, C. M. (1939). Results of the self-selection of diets by young children. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 41(3), 257.
Kleinman, R. E., & Coletta, F. A. (2016). Historical overview of transitional feeding recommendations and vegetable feeding practices for infants and young children. Nutrition Today, 51(1), 7–13. https://doi.org/10.1097/nt.0000000000000137
