Please let me know if this letter gets my point across in a polite, yet persuasive, manner. I don't nurse DD anymore but I was concerned because many of the parents in the waiting room appeared to be lower income and non-English speaking. These women need to be encouraged to bf, IMO.
Dear Dr. *****,
I want to thank you and your staff for the kind care you provided for my daughter, Molly, at her first dental visit. I know that good dental care is important for good dental health and I am pleased that she is going to be receiving her care from you.
I reviewed the papers that were sent home with me and found them to be very helpful and informative. However, I was saddened and concerned by one recommendation you made. The sheet detailing “Infant Dental Care” stated that babies should be weaned from the breast by the first birthday. Although I understand you are looking at how the behavior impacts a child’s dental health, I would urge you to adopt a broader perspective. National and international health organizations have made strong statements regarding the recommended time a child should be breastfed.
--The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for two years.
--The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends at least one year.
--The American Dietetic Association recommends at least one year.
--The American Academy of Family Physicians position paper on breastfeeding states that a child is at an increased risk for illness if weaned before two years of age.
--The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners says, in its position statement, that breastfeeding should continue for the first 12 months and beyond.
--A Health Canada report recommends breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond.
--UNICEF’s position is that mothers should continue to breastfeed for two years or more.
As a medical professional I know you are well aware of the benefits of breastfeeding, both for the baby and the mother, so I will not list them here. Unfortunately, many of the young mothers in our country, especially lower income and immigrant mothers, are not aware of the health benefits. And their babies may be the ones who would benefit the most from extended breastfeeding. Consequently, I feel your recommendation of weaning at one year is doing a disservice to your patients. A disservice that could result in health problems in the near future and for a lifetime, not to mention the loss of the intellectual and emotional benefits.
As a doctor your advice carries a lot of weight, especially for young mothers. I would ask that you alter your position on weaning and, instead, provide advice on how to successfully combine extended breastfeeding and good dental health. Suggest that baby’s nighttime routine include brushing after a final breastfeeding. Educate mothers whose children are breastfeeding and eating solid foods on how to avoid introducing sugar from food and beverages into the diet, a course of action recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. A mother who is committed to extended breastfeeding has already made her child’s health a priority, and that would include dental health. Suggestions and advice from you on how to successfully combine breastfeeding and good dental health would be well received. I hope you will consider changing your “Infant Dental Care” guidelines to better reflect what I know is your desire for your patient’s medical and dental health. With the proper education the two do not need to be mutually exclusive.
Again, thank you for the time you took with Molly and me today. We look forward to seeing you in six months.
Sincerely,
Dear Dr. *****,
I want to thank you and your staff for the kind care you provided for my daughter, Molly, at her first dental visit. I know that good dental care is important for good dental health and I am pleased that she is going to be receiving her care from you.
I reviewed the papers that were sent home with me and found them to be very helpful and informative. However, I was saddened and concerned by one recommendation you made. The sheet detailing “Infant Dental Care” stated that babies should be weaned from the breast by the first birthday. Although I understand you are looking at how the behavior impacts a child’s dental health, I would urge you to adopt a broader perspective. National and international health organizations have made strong statements regarding the recommended time a child should be breastfed.
--The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for two years.
--The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends at least one year.
--The American Dietetic Association recommends at least one year.
--The American Academy of Family Physicians position paper on breastfeeding states that a child is at an increased risk for illness if weaned before two years of age.
--The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners says, in its position statement, that breastfeeding should continue for the first 12 months and beyond.
--A Health Canada report recommends breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond.
--UNICEF’s position is that mothers should continue to breastfeed for two years or more.
As a medical professional I know you are well aware of the benefits of breastfeeding, both for the baby and the mother, so I will not list them here. Unfortunately, many of the young mothers in our country, especially lower income and immigrant mothers, are not aware of the health benefits. And their babies may be the ones who would benefit the most from extended breastfeeding. Consequently, I feel your recommendation of weaning at one year is doing a disservice to your patients. A disservice that could result in health problems in the near future and for a lifetime, not to mention the loss of the intellectual and emotional benefits.
As a doctor your advice carries a lot of weight, especially for young mothers. I would ask that you alter your position on weaning and, instead, provide advice on how to successfully combine extended breastfeeding and good dental health. Suggest that baby’s nighttime routine include brushing after a final breastfeeding. Educate mothers whose children are breastfeeding and eating solid foods on how to avoid introducing sugar from food and beverages into the diet, a course of action recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. A mother who is committed to extended breastfeeding has already made her child’s health a priority, and that would include dental health. Suggestions and advice from you on how to successfully combine breastfeeding and good dental health would be well received. I hope you will consider changing your “Infant Dental Care” guidelines to better reflect what I know is your desire for your patient’s medical and dental health. With the proper education the two do not need to be mutually exclusive.
Again, thank you for the time you took with Molly and me today. We look forward to seeing you in six months.
Sincerely,
.
