ds is 1 and still breastfeeding at night,

[ruty]

I'm ashamed to say since he was about five months i've let ds breastfeed at night just so we both get a good night's sleep. Before that i used to get up to feed and we were both sleep deprived. I'ma bit worried about his teeth - he has at least 8. He seems to need to suckle quite a few times in the night, and now can't fall asleep without the breast. i don't mind doing it, tho it does mean I can't leave him with anyone else, but i am more worried about the damgage to his teeth. He only has water and boob - no fruit juice tho he does eat fruit. Anyone else been thru this? Any tips?

All mine have done this ruty but now sleep through the night just fine. I think they tended to start sleeping through somewhere between 1 and 1.5 which is, I know, later than some would like, but it was fine by me.

I have read up on this, ruty, and there is no definitive evidence that night time breastfeeding causes decay. It seems that the combination of fruit sugars and milk sugars in the mouth is the worst, though, so you need to be sure his teeth are cleaned thoroughly before sleep times. I am still bfing ds 2.5 years at night and worry about it too, but I think bfing has possibly had a rather hard time in the press as far as tooth decay goes, perhaps unfairly.

that's interesting you two, thanks. I'm afraid we don't use fluoride toothpaste either, and it is a real battle to brush his teeth properly, so i'll have to keep persevering!

Ruty, I don't use fluoride either, but I think physically removing the food and plaque from his teeth is the most important thing. I decided that I was happy to go along with his night time feeding only if I was able to brush his teeth properly - even if that involved pinning him down. And it did, for several months! However he now co-operates

that's good to know. Problem is,he's stronger than i am! I try to pin him down and he wriggles out of it. And then gets into a rage. DH tried too - i dread it every night!

there's absolutely no need to feel ashamed about breastfeeding an older baby or toddler, plenty of us do it. As long as it suits both of you carry on and enjoy it.

I agree about physically removing the food rather than doing a full toothpaste clean

Good luck

thanks sw - tho i'm not ashamed of it per se - just the night feeding i thought i should have sorted out by now - but feel better about it now!

I've bf all four of mine at night and none of them has any fillings or tooth decay. I didn't know this was something we were supposed to be concerned about.
Ignorance is bliss.

No flouride here either. I'll be fuming if they put it in my water.

i use fluoride toothpaste for myself tho - he probably gets fluoride reinforced breastmilk!

there is absolutely no evidence that night time BF contributes to tooth decay. As long as the teeth get thoroughly brushed twice a day, you're fine. Bottle feeding at night, too much fruit juice and sweets on the other hand........

Kellymom.com has a ton of info on this.