Final answer:
Newborns have shown a preference for sweet tastes, possibly because the amniotic fluid's flavor is influenced by the mother's diet during pregnancy. Therefore, the correct statement is that newborns prefer sweet flavors, and the assertion that newborns have no preference regarding tastes or that they prefer salty flavors is not true.
Step-by-step explanation:
Research on neonate sensory preferences has shown that newborns indeed have distinct taste and smell preferences. Unlike the statement that newborns have no preference for smells or tastes, studies have found that neonates show a preference for sweet tastes. This is likely because the amniotic fluid's taste can change based on what the mother consumes during pregnancy, which can influence the newborn's taste preferences after birth.
Fascinatingly, newborns not only show a preference for sweet tastes, but they are also capable of recognizing the smell of their mother, especially those who were regularly exposed to certain food smells through the amniotic fluid. This suggests a connection between olfactory recognition and maternal dietary habits during pregnancy. However, the assertion in the question about newborns having no preference regarding tastes is incorrect, as is the statement that they prefer salty flavors, which newborns do not show a preference for at birth.
Thus, newborns do exhibit specific sensory preferences, and their taste and smell experiences are critical components of their initial learning and bonding processes.