We are going through the same dilema with our 20 month old. I too do not feel that b-feeding is the sole cause but did try to night wean.( I got sick and we gave up and haven't started again) But i guess i feel the same way if it will help stop the decay it is worth a try. I think some children are more prone to cavaties than others due to physiological reasons and genetics and their nursing habits. But i wouldn't do it unless you really feel ready. It definately has to feel right. I'm still questioning it myself!! i'm just worried a few months from now the dentist will say her teeth are worse. I wish you the best of luck!!!Actually i would say if you do decide to night wean take it very slow, maybe just give alternatives like reading books (alot of them) or back rubs.My daughter was doing ok though she cried a bunch she also started to fall aleep on her own with no crying and only breastfed once or twice a night instead of 5 times.Now we are back to the beginning though. Good luck with whatever decision you make, happy tooth brushing !!!!
post #21 of 80
12/31/01 at 5:38am
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) Once he is all fixed up, you all will have a clean slate and great information about preventing it from ever happening again. And it will all be behind you. Yippee!
) but I wanted to share our experience. My dd has had dental visits too many to count, but I have always been able to remain with her. If she needs to be held down, I'd much rather my arms were doing the holding. (I usually lay on the chair and she lays on top of me, she's never had any drugs except novocaine and has been having work done since 18 mo...she's 3 now.) My dentist is far from perfect, but she insists that parents remain with children for all procedures and it really just feels right to me. Perhaps you can discuss your concerns with your dent and see if a compromise can be reached? Remember, you are the consumer! As for the totally ignorant comments from the hygienist, scream at home and here, and then, if you are up to it, try to use it as an opportunity to educate. I can so remember the feeling I had when I got a message from the dental receptionist no less, saying that "Dr. K. wanted me to tell you that this (dd's decay) is going to be a continual problem until she is weaned." Oh, cool, so you mean from the day my daughter weans she will NEVER have another dental issue in her life?! I can't wait...ha ha! With the office staff, I try to use every opportunity to talk about all the various people I know (and I have several friends with large families, 6, 7, 8 children) who have extended nursed all their children and never experienced any dental problems. I guess my hope is that they may come to the point where they recognize that while nursing may be one contributing factor of dental decay in some children, it is not the whole cause, and weaning is certainly not the whole solution. Each child is so individualistic, I pray for the day every medical practioner finally gets that. When I hear these people's logic, I liken it to this analogy, "People sometimes get injured in car accidents...cars are dangerous...no one should drive cars." Yes, it's true, some children who nurse will have dental decay, but, many, many children who nurse do not. Just like with our cars, we don't hysterically put the car in the garage and leave it there after hearing of an accident, we strive for ways to make driving safer, accidents and injuries fewer. Certainly nursing and mothering our children is a far more important service than driving?! Surely we can take the time to figure out how to make our children's teeth healthier and still nurse them as they clearly need? Whew...sorry I got on a lil tangent! I'll close with a "go with your gut." It's been proven that Mama's guts are rarely wrong!!
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