Breastfeeding, teeth and night feeds.

[notwoo]

DS is 8 months. I've been toying with giving up breastfeeding for... erm.. about 7 months now but have never really got round to it .

He has 3 or 4 feeds in the day and rarely 'demands' a feed. He is eating well and would generally take food over milk.

Nights are a different matter - he is usually up at least 2 or 3 times a night and although he is pretty easy to settle with a feed he doesn't seem particularly hungry.

He's just got his first tooth and seems to be getting another. I am wondering if I should be trying to stop the night feeds now, partly in order to prevent tooth decay and partly because I'd like some sleep (and an excuse for DH to try to settle him occasionally).

Tooth decay is not an issue with BF like it is with having bottles so it's ok to bf after brushing teeth for the night. I believe this is to do with the fact that your nipple goes in the mouth behind the teeth and milk is squirted to the back of the mouth and does not pool around the teeth.

Oh really? That's interesting. Can't use that as an excuse then

Seriously though- is it worth trying to stop the night feeds at this age or should I hang on a bit longer?

The main reason I'm still breastfeeding is that it's easier at night than having to get a bottle sorted (health benefits are bonus though) but keep wondering if I switched to bottles he might not need night feeds anyway?

But then it seems a bit late to switch to bottles at 8 months when I'm going to have to try and get him off them when he gets to 1?

Oh I don't know!