Teeth brushing 11 months

[Danni91]

My son is 11months has 6 teeth now but we are struggling to get them brushed as he just clamps down on the brush or wants to take it, we give him a handheld one with some toothpaste on for him to rub around in there but really we can barely manage 20seconds before hes off or turning his head away and we start all over!
Is there any magic tips I am missing, we do worry that they are not being done well enough.
He's 1 at the end of the month really easy going, he doesn't seem to dislike the process just obviously thinks he has more important things to do and touch
Any tips please

No tips I'm afraid but I'm hoping someone else will. My just turned 1yo has

HV told me as long as something to do with teeth brushing is happening it's fine. She said you will never get a 2 min brush from a baby or toddler but it's teaching good oral hygiene from the start

My LO is 8 months and he's only got his bottom 2 so far but I brush mine at the same time and over exaggerate the brushing and he copies me with his little toothbrush (most of the toothpaste ends up in his hair or mine) I never get more than 2 mins out of him though lol

It's more to do with building a habit at this age, don't worry too much. Avoiding sweets and juice is more important at this age.

BTW if you are using a flouride containing toothpaste it's important to use just a smear, not a blob.

Could you use a toothbrush with a light or one that plays a little song? Something to distract him while you try and give he's teeth a little going over? He's only small so it may not work but distraction is always my first port of call.

Is his toothbrush soft? Is the toothpaste too harsh tasting?
The milk teeth type mint ones can still be a bit too 'fresh' for a baby mouth.

It's tough. DD was the same.
She's older now and knows that we keep brushing until the light goes off (and sometimes it can feel like forever!)

Thanks everyone thats a huge help
His toothpaste is a mild one he doesn't seem to mind the taste he just wants control of the toothbrush he rubs it at the back of his gums and chomps down on it

We have a few toothbrushes dotted around for him to use himself and they are all soft bristles

He doesn't have juice only water & his milk

I think I'll pull him into the bathroom to watch the adults brushing and see what he does

Thanks everyone!

20 seconds is fine at that age, especially if he doesn't have juice, like you said.

With my kids it was always different things that worked - letting them brush my teeth at the same time, singing, making stupid noises, just talking about anything and currently (son is 2 now) we list all the food he ate and that we have to brush off.

We had the same thing for a while. Unfortunately I had to just hold his arms (not rough, just to stop him grabbing it) and now he accepts it. I also admittedly distract with a bit of tv and me singing. He loves his baby electric brush with a light and strawberry toothpaste. He opens his mouth willingly now x