Tooth Decay and Nursing to Sleep

[sere234]

So, DS is 3.5 months and we're trying to get him in to a more consistent routine for his bedtime schedule. As it is now, he goes to sleep around 8ish, sleeps in his swing until midnightish, then sleeps in bed with us when he wakes up hungry. He'll then wake every 3 hours to eat before really waking at 7:15 (weirdly on the dot nearly every day). Since we're co-sleeping, all I do is roll him to the other side when he wants to eat and fall back asleep.

But thinking ahead, will nursing to sleep (which he does every time he falls asleep, day or night) cause tooth decay? How the heck do I prevent that at night if I sleep through him eating!?!?!!

BTW, he has no teeth yet... It just occurred to us yesterday that someday we might need to get him to sleep without the whole "cuddle, nurse, sleep, Mama sneaks away" thing. 

[memz]

Here's a link from kellymom explaining this http://www.kellymom.com/bf/older-baby/tooth-decay.html 

[Knitting Mama]

Great link, memz!

[PatioGardener]

I spoke with a dentist who is involved with national policy making in Canada.  He said to brush any teeth (and wipe gums) morning and night to remove any 'biofilm', and keep on breastfeeding

[sere234]

Thanks so much! Kellymom really has a great answer for everything, I'm finding!

[*jeanine*]

Originally Posted by PatioGardener 

I spoke with a dentist who is involved with national policy making in Canada.  He said to brush any teeth (and wipe gums) morning and night to remove any 'biofilm', and keep on breastfeeding

I (and my dentist and my 3 cavity-free, breast-fed-all-night-long-and-not-weaned-till-after-two children) agree.  Go to bed with clean teeth and keep on breastfeeding!

[Perdita_in_Ontario]

Yep, and to add to this, my DD was diagnosed with some severe tooth decay in two of her molars when she was 2.5. We did the "nurse and sneak away" thing. Our ped dentist told us emphatically that it had nothing to do with bf-ing - as long as her teeth were brushed before bed. What a relief, since I'm now doing "nurse and sneak away" with our son LOL.