Can BF delay teeth coming through?

[nappydaysagain]

I recently saw my HV at a routine review and happened to mention that my DS3 still doesn't have any teeth and he'll be 1 in a couple of weeks. She said that some BF babies get teeth later due to being BF . She knew a few women who's babies didn't get any teeth until after they were 1 and their mums had stopped BF. She said it was something to do with how they latch.

I'm not concerned about my DS's lack of teeth (I wish I could do a gummy grin there) but I'd never heard this theory before. I think it's probably just a coincident that they were late getting teeth and happened to be BF, but thought I'd ask the mumsnetters if anyone had heard of this before?

I know HV can say some random things which aren't always true. I'm still a bit that she said if I'm down to my last tin of milk I can use cows milk from now on as DS3 is nearly 1 as she'd just assumed I was bottle feeding. Surely they should check how you feed before offering advice.

The question is surely "can formula feeding speed up teeth coming through" since breastfeeding is the biological norm.

And the answer to that is, it seems doubtful! I can't see how either something in formula, or something in a bottle teat, would make teeth come through any sooner than they should naturally.

My dd2 didn't get any teeth until 2 weeks after her 1st birthday and she was ff from birth, she was walking before she could give a toothy grin [gummy grin]

Hum never hurd this one before very much dout it. DD had two teeth before I started introducing solids at 6months and she BF untill she was nearly 3.

I did make my HV very happy when I said she was still BF at her 1year check. Althoug she did go onto say that she could now have cows milk instead.

Bottle feeding (of EBM or formula) is associated with some dental problems and mouth development (as are dummies).

I've never heard of BF babies getting teeth later but if they did that would be the norm...

Yes, you're right, she shouldn't assume that you're formula feeding. May be worth a polite letter to the surgery.

How ridiculous. I keep thinking I have heard everything and someone whose job it is to know better proves me wrong.

There should be a book of crazy advice from busybodies Health Visitors!

Nappy I think this is one you can safely ignore!

MigGril the community nursery nurse nearly did a little dance at my DD's 2 year check when I said she was still BF at bedtime. She did stop about 2 weeks later, though! Got a "tick in the box" nonetheless.