The saddest bedtime routine - does it get better?

[cornflakes5]

Our bedtime routine with DD (15 months) used to go like this: books, bath (including brushing teeth) breastfeed, bed. She loved lifting all the flaps in the books and having a romp around our bed, then bath, then cosy breastfeed, then into the cot drowsy and asleep within seconds.

We felt it wasn't right breastfeeding after brushing her teeth, and our HV agreed, and suggested we do milk, bath, books then bed. Apparently most people do it this way.

We've been doing it the new one for a week now and it's really miserable. Everything fine up until DD is dried and put into her sleeping bag. The minute she sees the book come out, she starts crying. Crying becomes wailing as the book goes on, and by the time she's in her cot she's beside herself. She then cries herself to sleep. Every night. This makes me so sad, but is there another way? As an aside, DD has never been a good sleeper, and cries herself to sleep for naps, but somehow this feels worse for proper bedtime.

Anyone got something wise or reassuring to say please? 🙇🏻‍♀️

I'll probably be flamed but I still do milk last before bed as DS likes it that way and he has been an awful sleeper so don't want to rock the boat as it works. He's 2 now

Can you do bath, milk in a cup with story, teeth brush, bed with a quick song.

This is how I did with mine, eventually we just cut down the amount of milk until they didn't want it at storytime anymore.

I always did milk last thing - I feel your sadness

My dd is nearly 2.5 and we still do teeth then story then bf then bed. No dental issues so far.

I used to brush DSs teeth in (my) bed once he was all cosy after a breastfeed.
I'd do story
breastfeed
brush teeth and have a sip of water
one more story
fall asleep cuddling me
transfer into his bed

But he was a bit older then, I was still breastfeeding to sleep when he was your DDs age. His teeth are fine.

Bf at night doesn't impact on teeth. Go back to what worked and made you all happy!

Mine is 2 and I’m still breastfeeding before bed (after cleaning teeth). I did the same with my first DC until the age of 3. DC is 8 now and has great teeth! I don’t think your HV knows what she is talking about. It’s breastmilk not cow’s milk, and it doesn’t ruin teeth.

I breastfed mine to sleep, and a quick comfort feed during the night to get her back to sleep. Till 3.
Her teeth are perfect, I honestly don't think something natural can be particularly harmful but I'm no expect and that's just my experience and belief

I did milk (breast fed) last for all four of mine. They all have immaculate teeth.

Once they stopped breastfeeding we changed it around.

Never heard of that before!

I breastfed mine last thing. No problems.

Your HV is ill informed. Go back to what works for you as a family. Breastfeeding is not the same as milk from a bottle or a cup: www.laleche.org.uk/breastfeeding-dental-health/

Lots of young children are breast fed to sleep and does not seem to cause tooth decay. However, if you are concerned, you could simply brush her teeth after her breast feed, before she falls asleep. Or if you have stopped breast feeding, how about holding her hand and soothing her while she falls asleep?

i'd go with old routine but just wait to give teeth a quick brush while drowsy and ready for bed. There is time when she is a bit older to get her engaged about brushing her own teeth.

We still do milk last at 21 months and it's cow not BF also really slack at teeth cleaning

Also breastfed my dc to sleep til 2.5/3.5, no issues. Always thought it was only cows milk that’s a problem.

Mine is 15 months and we have just visited the dentist. I specifically asked about feeding and teeth at night. He said breastfeeding is fine after cleaning and obviously there are times I feed during the night. He said not to worry at all.

Go back to your lovely routine that works. HV are great but they don't own you. X

Go back to the old routine!! This one just makes everyone sad.

Tbh I don't think breastfeeding will affect teeth. It's the crap load of sweets given as they get older that does damage. I wouldn't worry about a bit of milk at toddler age

It is completely fine to breastfeed last thing, as long as you’ve brushed teeth before hand. I’ve done it with all 3. I think I remember reading there’s a possibility that breast milk could have more of a reaction with anything left on the teeth. This may be complete rubbish, but the recommendation was just to do a thorough brush before breastfeeding, which seems like a good thing anyway.

Definitely go back to how it was.

Baby's happiness at this stage is paramount, especially when it comes to learning helpful routines like going to sleep! Nothing wrong with breastfeeding last and it works for you and lots of others. After all, most babies fall asleep after a mid-day feed but we don't go around waking them up for a teeth clean. Not a lot more in milk than plain water in terms of things that will contribute towards tooth decay. My advice, do what works for you and learn to relax. A lot of HVs advice is simply that: advice, NOT necessarily scientifically-based advice but a personal preference. Much easier with babies 2, 3 etc when you've realised that most of what you're told is not that helpful.

Just feed after teeth have been done!

Always fed mine after teeth were brushed.

... and you'll have fresh, clean, minty dentist-approved nipples... Oral-B indeed.

We always did milk last. My dc are 7 and 10 and have perfect teeth.

I did some googling around this a while back and found that no correlation has been found between breastfeeding to sleep and dental caries. Breast milk enters the mouth behind the teeth and contains a compound that kills the bacteria that cause tooth decay.

kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/tooth-decay/

I'd go back to the old way if I were you.