Last feeding before bed...

[littlemissmarla]

Ok, I feel like I am having a mom fail moment. 


I just posted in the random that I was outside with DD and noticed behind her bottom teeth she has some yellow stuff, I thought it was food and tried to brush it off and it wouldn't budge. Dr. Google is telling me its plaque/tartar and it's bad so I call our dentist but they don't take kids under 2.5yrs so they gave me the number to a pediatric dentist. She asked if DD falls asleep with a bottle and I said no.. but wait does she?

DD will get her last bottle at like 7-7:30 and then DH will hold her for a bit and then we put her down drowsy, sometimes she's already asleep but she is out. She's never actually been asleep during the time she's eating? I don't think at least! 


HOLY FUCK HAVE I BEEN PUTTING HER TO SLEEP WITH THE BOTTLE? I always thought that meant when you give the kid a bottle in the crib and they fall asleep drinking it or whatever.


How long are you supposed to go between their last bottle and putting them to sleep? I'm feeling super stressed out right now about this.

I'm going to make an appointment with the pediatric dentist and they said they would do an exam and if need be scrape off the plaque.. which i'm sure will be fucking traumatizing for her. I'd bring her to our regular pedi first but I know them and they would just say everything is fine. 

[Lola]

Take a deep breath. We do exactly what you do. I think that is probably the norm. I know they say not to put kids to bed with a bottle in the mouth, but I assumed that was toddlers as a comfort thing. Honestly, we used to give my step son a sippy cup with milk in it at bed, and his teeth are perfectly fine too. Make an appt if it makes you more comfortable, but I think you're doing just fine mama!

[littlemissmarla]

Apr 7, 2015 15:32:37 GMT -5 Lola said:

Take a deep breath. We do exactly what you do. I think that is probably the norm. I know they say not to put kids to bed with a bottle in the mouth, but I assumed that was toddlers as a comfort thing. Honestly, we used to give my step son a sippy cup with milk in it at bed, and his teeth are perfectly fine too. Make an appt if it makes you more comfortable, but I think you're doing just fine mama!

Haha I know like serious deep breath. I made an appointment and will feel much better once the dr takes a look. I feel like we have all discussed the bedtime routines before and I was sure others were kind of similar to what we do but I just had to make sure. 

[Liv]

I don't have advice or any original thoughts on this, but you're a great mom littlemissmarla, don't get too worried! We definitely do what you do as far as feed/then sleep, but my toothless wonder is still toothless so I don't know what the effects are there. I'm sure it's not a big deal though! ** hugs **

[rlb]

Apr 7, 2015 15:42:35 GMT -5 littlemissmarla said:

Apr 7, 2015 15:32:37 GMT -5 Lola said:

Take a deep breath. We do exactly what you do. I think that is probably the norm. I know they say not to put kids to bed with a bottle in the mouth, but I assumed that was toddlers as a comfort thing. Honestly, we used to give my step son a sippy cup with milk in it at bed, and his teeth are perfectly fine too. Make an appt if it makes you more comfortable, but I think you're doing just fine mama!

Haha I know like serious deep breath. I made an appointment and will feel much better once the dr takes a look. I feel like we have all discussed the bedtime routines before and I was sure others were kind of similar to what we do but I just had to make sure. 

Oh god, thanks  for striking fear in me!!! lol!!  I rock her and give her bottle until she's drowsy, because I did that while nursing and didn't consider this.  I have yet to "brush" her teeth and flameful confession: haven't even considered it.  

Looks like I need to add something to our daily routine.  

[bullybutt]

I think you are freaking the fuck out over nothing. Really!

[anotherdreamer]

I'm kind of with bullybutt here. It's probably nothing.

Fwiw I always have my DS a bottle before bed, and he either fell asleep as he finished it or shortly after? His teeth never had that. My girls nurse right before bed, sometimes they fall asleep then, sometimes shortly after... they don't have teeth yet, but I'm not concerned.

[soon2bmrsn]

I've almost always nursed my babies to sleep and no one's had any plaque issues. Not sure if it's more recommended with formula or not... Could you briefly brush her teeth after the bottle if it'll give you peace of mind? But I really think the pedi dentist will tell you it's nothing.

[lucanjo14]

We do a bottle before bed too. Haven't wiped down DS teeth yet even once. (Mom fail?) Anyway, im sure your dd is fine!

[hurricanerek]

I think your way is fine. I always thought they were talking about leaving the bottle in with the baby. Like when I nannied, the mom would give her daughter the bottle and let her feed herself to sleep in her crib. She would sometimes wake up, find her bottle and continue drinking. I always side eyed it because I think she's a dentist's worst nightmare. You? You're just feeding your kid.

[rlb]

I decided since I have a blanket sucker, I'm in the clear. Certainly the fabric cleans her chompers.

[littlemissmarla]

Apr 7, 2015 19:27:03 GMT -5 rlb said:

I decided since I have a blanket sucker, I'm in the clear. Certainly the fabric cleans her chompers.

Hahah I was telling my mom and she said since DD uses a binky the saliva should be cleaning her teeth. Let's hope so!

[littlemissmarla]

Apr 7, 2015 19:07:22 GMT -5 hurricanerek said:

I think your way is fine. I always thought they were talking about leaving the bottle in with the baby. Like when I nannied, the mom would give her daughter the bottle and let her feed herself to sleep in her crib. She would sometimes wake up, find her bottle and continue drinking. I always side eyed it because I think she's a dentist's worst nightmare. You? You're just feeding your kid.

Yea that's pretty much what I thought falling asleep on the bottle.

[pregsmcsnooznomore]

My mom gave me a bottle of chocolate milk to sleep with until I was at least 3 or 4 years old, because I remember it clearly. Now THAT'S a mom fail! P. S. My teeth were fine

[GrrArgh]

I wouldn't beat yourself up over it, but at the same time I would stop and start brushing her teeth before bed.

We used these pre-teeth to wipe her gums
Spiffies

And this toothpaste once she had teeth
Jack & Jills Natural Toothpaste

We also took DD1 and will with A to the dentist at 1 year and every 6 months. They put a little fluoride coating on the teeth they have and DD1 just had her first go with the rotating brush to clean her teeth and they recommended we start flossing more to get her used to it than anything. She is 2.5 and had a great check up with no cavities.

I have had trouble with my teeth my whole life and it can be hereditary so I am kind of a crazy person, but I have read a lot about how common it is for toddlers to have cavities and really wanted to try and get them off to a good start.

Not trying to make anyone feel bad for anything they have or haven't done, just putting out what has worked for us.

[jnnfrrose6]

Apr 10, 2015 18:19:52 GMT -5 GrrArgh said:

I wouldn't beat yourself up over it, but at the same time I would stop and start brushing her teeth before bed.

We used these pre-teeth to wipe her gums
Spiffies

And this toothpaste once she had teeth
Jack & Jills Natural Toothpaste

We also took DD1 and will with A to the dentist at 1 year and every 6 months. They put a little fluoride coating on the teeth they have and DD1 just had her first go with the rotating brush to clean her teeth and they recommended we start flossing more to get her used to it than anything. She is 2.5 and had a great check up with no cavities.

I have had trouble with my teeth my whole life and it can be hereditary so I am kind of a crazy person, but I have read a lot about how common it is for toddlers to have cavities and really wanted to try and get them off to a good start.

Not trying to make anyone feel bad for anything they have or haven't done, just putting out what has worked for us.

I asked our pedi at DS's 1 year appointment about the dentist and he said it wasn't necessary until 2 years. Granted, that was 8 months ago now so I really need to get on it, buts it's also why I haven't been so worried.