Today a Pediactric Orthodontist told me something strange, should I persue this?

Question

While at the dentist today she told me:

"Peditricians recommend that your child should be weened from breast and bottle by age one..."

This after I told her I still nurse my son who is 13 months. I told her that I nurse him before bed and naps, but brush his teeth afterward. I continued to tell her that I had discussed this with his doctor and a public health nurse who were both very pleased.

The website for the Canadian Pediatric Society as well as the WHO advocates exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months old and breastfeeding + regular food up to 2 years old (or so long as you're comfortable).

Should I bring literature or something for this Orthodontist the next time I have to go back?

Answer 1

I don't think you should tell her how to do her job! I'm sure as many books as you have to prove your point, she has just as much to prove hers.

Although- she has to deal with the ugly side of things, like when babies nurse too long and get oral problems because of it. Going to a specialist like that doesn't happen without a reason... is there something going on with your child that cause you to seek her help?

Basically it boils down to a decision you must make:

the health benefits of prolonges nursing vs.

the possible damage/delays prolonged nursing can cause.

They are both real issues to contend with, and you just have to decide what's best for your child!

EDIT: I have to agree with the above poster, nursing a child much older than about 9 months is somewhat awkward.

Answer 2

uneducated medical professionals tend to take what's true for bottle-feeding and apply it to breastfeeding.  No pediatrician (at least no good pediatrician) recommends weaning from breast at age one.  They recommend weaning from bottle because a bottle works differently than a breast, allowing fluid to pool in the mouth.  Also formula actually grows bacteria (we actually use baby formula in microbiology on petri dishes with the express purpose of growing large amounts of bacteria because its such a good medium for growth), whereas breastfeeding slows the growth of bacteria.

His information is completely false and yes I would bring literature to inform him because if he's telling you this, he's probably telling other people too who aren't as informed as you; hopefully nobody's actually followed his "advice"

good for you for still breastfeeding!

Answer 3

Everyone is entitled to their opinion including you, the breastfeeder.  If she had said Dentists recommend weening by age one I would understand it from an oral point of view, but she didn't and since your Pediatrician has no issue with it and neither do you I wouldn't be concerned.  However, I am also entitled to an opinion and I just would not be comfortable with this either.

Answer 4

I'm guessing that he mentioned this more out of concern of your son's teeth in the long run more than any other reason.  I would continue breastfeeding until you were ready to stop regardless fo what the orthodontist told you.

Answer 5

even if he was born little, 6 months is the best time time to slowly start, giving him baby food. and if you dont teach him solid foods or to walk and talk soon he'll have trouble when hes older, let him atleast say give me, or mama, or dog, or cat. your orthodontist is right.

Answer 6

i believe your orthodontists concern is due solely to the effects of a prolonged infantile suck pattern which can cause a variety of malocclusions (basically, misalignment of upper and lower teeth) of varying severity.  In addition, this feeding pattern can also impact your childs ability to eat solids as well as hinder their speech development.  If you think about how this infantile suck reflex differs from ur own, you should see how prolonged nipple feeding of any kind (breast, bottle - even sucking pacifiers or thumbs) can cause these problems.  Your orthodontist was probably simply trying to prevent the need for further services (and cost to u)

HOWEVER. i understand the medical benefits of breastfeeding as well, so it is up to u to decide if u want to risk possible problems down the road for proven benefits now

Answer 7

Hi There!

It sounds like the situation is really bothering you. Maybe you could clarify with the orthodontist exactly what her concerns are with the breastfeeding. Is she concerned that use of a nipple of any kind will deform the teeth, or is she concerned about the teeth not being clean? Or is she trying to impose her own beliefs about when a child should stop breastfeeding? Then do your own research, and decide for yourself. Then congratulate yourself on being a great mom who wants what is best for her baby, and takes all things into consideration! I feel like I missed out on a wonderful experience because my son did not want to latch on to breastfeed, so I don't blame you for not rushing to rip your nipple out of his mouth and stick a cup in it.  Doctors are not always 100% correct, and every baby is different.

Answer 8

My daughter stopped drinking from a bottle at one year old, but she saw other children her age drinking from sippy cups and once she mastered it she didn't want anything to do with a bottle. Me, on the other hand, drank from a bottle until I was almost three...my mom said she didn't rush it; when I was ready she knew I would let her know, and I did.  I think it all depends on your child.  All doctors seem to go more by statistics rather than by what is best for that particular child.  Only you know your child and you'll know when your child is ready...don't rush it.

Answer 9

Dont let anyone make you feel bad about breast feeding. if youre brushing his teeth afterwards, then you are doing the best thing. Formula and pacifiers are just as bad to cause tooth problems as breast milk but they have none of the benifits. I breast fed my daughter until she was two and had so many people tell me how gross I was and that i must be sick or perverted. The only sick people are the ones who think of a perfectly natural, loveing act as something wrong. Her teeth are perfect and so is her overall health. and she has a cognitive level of a four year old and shes twoyears and three months old.It sounds like your dentist needs to go back to school

Answer 10

She is misinformed about breastfeeding!  My son is 28 months and still nurses as well as my 4 month old. (Yes I know ew, yuck, gag - bite me! the WHO reccomends two years and then for as long as MUTUALLY desired, why would I do the MINIMUM when I KNOW the benefits of full term breastfeeding?

Anyway.  My son when for his first dentist vist in April or May and I was told he had NOTHING wrong with his teeth, just that I should be brushing and flossing more.

He also indicated that the only thing he should get before bed or at night is water.  Well DS nurses before be and at least once during the night.  Breast milk has health properties that even professionals have yet to uncover all of.

Talk to a La Leche League Leader about it or an IBCLC (lactation consultant). If anything, just ignore the pediatric dentist, nurse your child for as long as both mutually desired and continue the good brushing habits you have already started.  Then next time, don't tell them the breastfeeding part.  Nod and smile! So many people are misinformed about breastfeeding/milk!

Answer 11

Maybe if his teeth are growing in poorly the orthodontist was trying to connect the two. But I personally believe nursing your son at 13 months is just fine and healthy.

Teeth can be fixed later if they are positioned wrong...

Yes send him literature...

I once gave my daughters pediatric doctor a magazine article on how baby's who are not lactose in tolerant of formula can be allergic to milk.... the week before I got it I had to convince him my daughter had this problem. He couldn't understand and then the magazine showed up. It all made sense after.

Answer 12

You can bring literature if you like, but i've seen that wherever I go, someone has a problem with me breastfeeding, whether the baby is 1 month, or 1 year old. I can't possibly convince everyone that  breast is best, but I can avoid telling people. I have done my research and know that what I'm doing is right. I don't need their approval.

On another note, did you know that breastmilk can last up to 10 hours at room temperature (in a bottle). And it fights against bacteria. What other food does this? If you were to stop breastfeeding, you would have to replace it with some other food. No food is equal to breastmilk.

The main thing I would think the dentist would worry about is that the baby sleeps on the breast and doesn't brush his teeth. You say you brush his teeth afterwards, so i don't see the problem there.

The physical and psychological aspects of breastfeeding are so numerous, even if he were to get a cavity from it, it would be much better in my opinion to go and get a filling for that, than to have to deal with more sickness because non-breastfed babies really do get sick more often, and less of a bond between mother and child, and breastfeeding is even just a way to comfort the baby so easily.

If you want him to have strong teeth, make sure your levels of vitamin D and calcium and magnesium are high. This way yours and your baby's bones and teeth can develop well.

i edited to add: i have been breastfeeding for awhile now. I breastfed my son for 23 months, and i am still breastfeeding my daughter who is now 15 months. Breastfeeding a child of this age can be awkward when they are trying to do somersaults n back flips, but it is such a blessing when I am out and have to talk with another grown-up- I am not worried that my baby is running around causing trouble, I just put her on the breast, cover her up, and get on with my conversation!

Answer 13

I read this link that I attached below; it is official policy of the AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry).  They don't say to wean off the breast at a year or so (though they do say that for bottles).  They say avoid ad libitum (on demand) breastfeeding after the first tooth comes in and you've introduced juices and other sugary carbohydrates.

What they're saying makes NO sense to me!!  Breast milk alone is proven to be antibacterial.  If you brush your child's teeth after eating solids and drinking any juices, then nurse during the night, it's FINE!!!!!!!!!  Breastfeeding babies drink differently than if they were using bottles.  The milk doesn't pool in the mouth and cause cavities.  

Your dentist is beyond stupid, and shouldn't be giving advice!  ALL pediatricians worth listening to agree that breastfeeding for a year is the BARE minimum, and at least 2 years is optimal!!  

Keep up your breastfeeding mama!  Good work!

Answer 14

Not ALL pediatricians recommend weaning from the breast, but usually from the bottle. You don't need to defend yourself and if she continues to give you grief about it find another dentist.

Answer 15

I find that to be really bizarre information!  I breastfed until mine was 2 and her teeth are perfect.  A friend breastfed her babies until they were about 15/16 months and their teeth are perfect.  I don't think you've got anything to worry about.

Answer 16

I'd tell the pediatric orthodontis (I'd also question those credntials) to go suck an egg.  The Orthodontis is just trying to drum up business and figures that if he/she can scare you enough you'll be willing to spend thousands of dollars on procedures that your child doesn't need at this time because your child will out grow them eventually and you will have to start all over spending thousdands of dollars.  It is YOUR body and YOUR child YOU make the decisions as to how long you want to breastfeed.

Answer 17

As most have said, the orthodontist is definitely wrong. The WHO does say to breastfeed to 2 years. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least 1 year,  but there is no reason to stop at that point, unless you want to. I am amazed at the bad advice people give out! I would ask her where she got her info. Maybe even consider going to a different orthodontist. If she gives advice that is so out of whack, you may question how well she knows what she is doing.

Answer 18

I find it gross to breast feed a child once they have teeth but that is for each parent to decide on their own.  If your happy with your toddler on your boob then tell your dentist to kiss your behind.

Answer 19

I have worked in dental offices for many years. and was surprised to read this. As long as you are cleaning the teeth, you are doing everything right.

Answer 20

I've heard that you should stop by the time the child has their first front teeth, but I haven't yet had children. Bring your research, I think.  If she is wrong she should be called on it.  And do some more research just to get as many variations on a theme as possible. It just seems silly to say  'by age one' because not all children develop at the same rate anyway.

Answer 21

do wat u want

Answer 22

I think she is more concerned about brushing their teeth afterwards...as long as you clarify that you are brushing their teeth after they breastfeed....

Answer 23

You do what you think is best for your child.Dont always go by what other people say.

Answer 24

i couldnt even imagine my wife breastfeeding my yr old son who walks and talks and drinks from a sippy it would be kinda disturbing

Answer 25

I think you should just to make sure they know what they are talking about.

Answer 26

you are the childs mother if you feel its the best thing for him then keep breast feeding him os pumping whatever however you do it and everything should be fine beleive it or not i have a good friend who was breast feed till he was 4 now i personly think thats a little to long but you child is still very young so you know whats best for you and him just remember that k hun hope i could be of help to you

Answer 27

No, NO, NO, - this orthodontist does not know what he is talking about. This is truly saying something without researching it..

This website talks about dental caries in children and breastfeeding - print it out and give it to her so she can update herself

http://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVApr...

Answer 28

"Peditricians recommend that your child should be weened from breast and bottle by age one..."

What a load of c**p.  I'd ask her to show you that literature...oh, sorry, you can't see invisible information since it doesn't exist!  She's making that up.

Good for you for continuing to nurse him beyond age one.  Love it!!!  More moms should.

Answer 29

well the orthodontist probably knows whats best for teeth cause they are specialized in teeth and the other doctors you asked knows whats best for the babies health...listen to the orhodontist thats why we have different kinds of doctors in this society

Answer 30

yes you should ... your pediatric orthodontist is confused. if he/she wants to say that it is THEIR recommendation, then so be it, but they shouldn't be misquoting the pediatric association.