I empathize with new parents because I’ve been there. I remember those late or interrupted nights when a newborn needs to eat. Night after night, sleep deprivation will take its toll on you. I must confess that my wife usually…actually more than “usually”, almost always got up to take care of a crying, hungry baby. But I did take a few turns, so I can empathize with you tired parents.
It is very tempting to prepare a bottle of milk or juice and put the baby back in his or her crib. The bottle meets the infant’s immediate needs, baby stops crying, and mom or dad can go back to bed for that much needed sleep.
Back up and don’t do it! You should not give your baby a bottle in bed. We all, including babies, have bacteria in our mouths that feed on whatever we put in them. This bacteria-food interaction can result in cavities.
Milk (including breast milk or formula milk) or juice have sugars that directly contribute to tooth decay. For babies that are given a bottle of milk or juice when put to bed for the night, the tooth decay can be rampant. We call it baby bottle tooth decay. The lower front teeth turn black and usually must be extracted. If not caught early, nearly all of the baby’s teeth can decay and rot.
What do I recommend? Train your baby to eat when he or she wakes up instead of falling asleep after eating. I understand that may be tough. If feeding baby after the nap doesn’t work, then at least avoid putting baby to bed with a bottle.
Enjoy the infancy part of life with your child. They grow up so fast, and before you know it that sweet infant period is gone. Even late at night, when those little babies are hungry and crying, they are so sweet and cute. Remember they completed depend upon parents to care for them in every way. They respond to love, gentleness, and careful nurturing.
One final bit of advice: bring your infant, child and/or your questions to us at Cannon Family Dental. We promise to spend time answering your questions about how to care for your infant’s or child’s teeth.
