Dentists told me to wean - please proof this letter

[JSerene]

<Insert names of 3 dentists and 1 pediatrician here>



Dear Doctors:

I am writing because I saw each of you in my search for a cause and solution to my daughter’s extensive dental caries. I was told, usually gently, and in the case of Dr. , not so gently, that her caries were caused by breastfeeding and it was advisable to wean. After months of research and ultimately finding a specialist who could help us, we uncovered multiple food allergies (including wheat, eggs, and dairy), which have caused a serious mineral imbalance. It is our belief that it is this imbalance that has caused her caries. We have now omitted the offending foods from her diet and are working on healing her leaky gut. In doing so, we hope to save her permanent teeth from the same fate as her milk teeth.

It is my hope that each of you will reconsider your advice to parents that it is their decision to breastfeed, especially when that relationship extends beyond infancy, that is the root of their child’s dental health problems.

Sincerely,

[KristyDi]

Overall I think it sounds good. I might point them to some of the research, (linked on other threads about this topic) that contests their "BM causes cavities" assumption.


Here are the things I found that need fixing.
You use caries instead of cavities throughout the letter.

It is my hope that each of you will reconsider your advice to parents that it is their decision to breastfeed, especially when that relationship extends beyond infancy, that is the root of their child’s dental health problems.

While I get what you're trying to say, but I think the bolded part makes this sentence feels a little awkward. You might consider changing it to something like. . .

It is my hope that each of you will reconsider your advice to parents that it is their decision to breastfeed that is the root of their child’s dental health problems, especially when the nursing relationship extends beyond infancy.

or

It is my hope that each of you will reconsider your advice to parents who have made decision to breastfeed, especially beyond infancy, that it is breastfeeding that is the root of their child’s dental health problems.

You might also mention that had you followed their advice, you child would still have all her medical problems and your nursing relationship, along with all it's benefits, would be lost.

Good for you for following up on politely calling these drs on poor medical advice. Maybe some of them will take the opportunity to further educate themselves.

[leila1213]

Yes, definitely point them to some research so they can wrap their thick skulls around the truth of where cavities come from. Not likely that they will embrace it, but at least try to speak their language, kwim? You might point them to some research by Price and/or Pottenger, which is referenced in this book and website, www.curetoothdecay.com. Good luck!

[Turkish Kate]

Agree with the above, except that "dental caries" is the correct term.

[Janice in Canada]

Good work - really nice to see someone follow-up and try to enlighten people.

really good job.

Janice

[A_Random_Phrase]

Good advice here and, yes 'dental caries' is the correct term but perhaps the poster didn't realize that.

[Da WIC Lady]

This is also a good site to support your side.

http://www.brianpalmerdds.com/bfeed_caries.htm

[mytwogirls]

I am so proud you are doing this mama! Good job, hon.

[mama24-7]

Originally Posted by KristyDi

You might also mention that had you followed their advice, you child would still have all her medical problems and your nursing relationship, along with all it's benefits, would be lost.

I agree that it should be mentioned that she would still have the health concerns w/ her dc if she'd listened, but I think it should be phrased that her daughter would be at greater risk of health problems due to no longer receiving breastmilk, not that it breastfeeding has benefits. Like Diane W. says, we need to talk about breastfeeding as normal & the lack of breastfeeding as risky.

Sus

[JSerene]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the support. For some reason, my dh hates it when I send out letters like this and told me not to send it. In fact, as soon as this all came out, he said, "Don't start sending letters!" I can't help myself

[KristyDi]

Originally Posted by Turkish Kate

Agree with the above, except that "dental caries" is the correct term.

Really?! I've never heard that term before. Guess you learn new stuff all the time.

[paquerette]

I just can't fathom what their thought process must have been. Were they just attacking night nursing? I can understand a sort of "logic" in that, even if it's not true. But it sounds like they're saying that you should wean altogether. Did they also suggest that you not ever give her any animal or soy milks, or anything with any kind of sugar in it? I mean, what would be so "evil" about breastfeeding in their minds? I don't get it.

[Unoppressed MAMA Q]

Originally Posted by JSerene

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the support. For some reason, my dh hates it when I send out letters like this and told me not to send it. In fact, as soon as this all came out, he said, "Don't start sending letters!" I can't help myself

But when writing letters like this, you help us all. Tell him to do some work on his self-esteem, then proudly claim his place next to you in changing the world.

Can you tell I have some similar people in my life?

[JSerene]

Originally Posted by paquerette

I just can't fathom what their thought process must have been. Were they just attacking night nursing? I can understand a sort of "logic" in that, even if it's not true. But it sounds like they're saying that you should wean altogether. Did they also suggest that you not ever give her any animal or soy milks, or anything with any kind of sugar in it? I mean, what would be so "evil" about breastfeeding in their minds? I don't get it.

It's totally illogically. 2 of the dentists asked if I could pump and give it to her in a cup instead. I asked how drinking it from a cup was any different than nursing. I got blank stares both times. The 2 regular dentists said I should wean altogether while the holistic dentist said I should at least wean at night. I asked if it was okay to giver her cows milk after weaning and they all said yes. I then asked how THAT was any different than my milk and I got, "well, uh....." for an answer.

My new doctor says it very very good that I ignored their advice since she is so allergic to all milks (I can't do goat or sheep milk either, dang it).

So frustrating.

[leila1213]

Originally Posted by JSerene

It's totally illogically. 2 of the dentists asked if I could pump and give it to her in a cup instead. I asked how drinking it from a cup was any different than nursing. I got blank stares both times. The 2 regular dentists said I should wean altogether while the holistic dentist said I should at least wean at night. I asked if it was okay to giver her cows milk after weaning and they all said yes. I then asked how THAT was any different than my milk and I got, "well, uh....." for an answer.

My new doctor says it very very good that I ignored their advice since she is so allergic to all milks (I can't do goat or sheep milk either, dang it).

So frustrating.

Those "professionals" are real *UA violations*!!

[ananas]

I think it sounds pretty good, but I'd tell them WHY what they told you isn't true.