should I still give my baby a bottle of milk/water before sleeping?

Question

He is 10 1/2 months old, and really seems to need this at naptime and bedtime.

Answer 1

Taken from American Dental Association Website

Baby teeth and bedtime bottles .FACTS!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What Is baby bottle tooth decay?
What causes baby bottle tooth decay?
Why are baby teeth important?
How can baby bottle tooth decay be prevented?
What is baby bottle tooth decay?

Decay in infants and children is called baby bottle tooth decay. It can destroy the teeth and most often occurs in the upper front teeth. But other teeth may also be affected.

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What causes baby bottle tooth decay?

Decay occurs when sweetened liquids are given and are left clinging to an infant's teeth for long periods. Many sweet liquids cause problems, including milk, formula and fruit juice. Bacteria in the mouth use these sugars as food. They then produce acids that attack the teeth. Each time your child drinks these liquids, acids attack for 20 minutes or longer. After many attacks, the teeth can decay.

It's not just what you put in your child's bottle that causes decay, but how often — and for how long a time. Giving your child a bottle of sweetened liquid many times a day isn't a good idea. Allowing your child to fall asleep with a bottle during naps or at night can also harm the child's teeth.

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Why are baby teeth important?

Your child's baby teeth are important. Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak and have a good-looking smile. Baby teeth also keep a space in the jaw for the adult teeth. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the teeth beside it may drift into the empty space. When it's time for the adult teeth to come in, there may not be enough room. This can make the teeth crooked or crowded.

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How can baby bottle tooth decay be prevented?

Sometimes parents do not realize that a baby's teeth can decay soon after they appear in the mouth. By the time decay is noticed, it may be too late to save the teeth. You can help prevent this from happening to your child by following the tips below:

After each feeding, wipe the baby's gums with a clean gauze pad. Begin brushing your child's teeth when the first tooth erupts. Clean and massage gums in areas that remain toothless, and begin flossing when all the baby teeth have erupted, usually by age 2 or 2½.


Never allow your child to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, fruit juice or sweetened liquids.


If your child needs a comforter between regular feedings, at night, or during naps, give the child a clean pacifier recommended by your dentist or physician. Never give your child a pacifier dipped in any sweet liquid.


Avoid filling your child's bottle with liquids such as sugar water and soft drinks.


If your local water supply does not contain fluoride (a substance that helps prevent tooth decay), ask your dentist how your child should get it.


Start dental visits by the child's first birthday. Make visits regularly. If you think your child has dental problems, take the child to the dentist as soon as possible.

Answer 2

First of all, giving a baby a bottle of milk at bedtime is not bad for the teeth. What is bad for the teeth is if the baby falls asleep with the bottle in his mouth and the milk then collects in his mouth. As long as you take the bottle way from him as soon as he is asleep you should have no problems.

My first 2 children were on the bottle until around 2 years (that was the recommendation at the time, 10 years ago) and both of them have wonderful teeth. My daughter is 13 months and I give her a bottle of milk when I put her to bed at night. As soon as she is ready to sleep, she throws the bottle aside and rolls onto her stomach to sleep. So no worries there.

Best of luck!

Answer 3

I can see many different answers on this one. He is 10 1/2 months old, give him the bottle. Both of my kids had a bottle at sleep time until they were about 14 months old. They are well developed kids, and have not traumatic problems because of it. You are the mom, if you feel he needs one, then give him one. The time will come when the bottle will stop. Actually, my daughter was less than a year because she stopped the bottle earlier, she wanted to drink out of the big glass like her brother. There are a lot of difference of opinions on raising babies.. and mom knows best.. trust your instincts.

Answer 4

yes, my son will be a year in 2 weeks and still gets a bottle at bedtime...that should be the LAST bottle that you take away...but do make sure they've had enough to eat/drink before they go to bed

BTW Milk is not bad for your baby's teeth. It's the most important part of their diet in the first year!

Answer 5

Milk at bedtime is very bad for the teeth. What I did with my children, and it worked was weened them a bit at a time. First, 1oz. water 7 oz. milk for a few days, then 2 oz. water 6 oz milk, etc. until finally the bottle is all water- that is much safer for his teeth.

Answer 6

just a word of advice from personal experience. I used to send my daughter to bed with a bottle of milk every night. When she went to her first dentist appointment, she had 6 cavities, I felt so ashamed. The dentists informed me that because of the bottle she had an over bite, and because of the milk it created cavities. I always made sure my daughter had her teeth brushed, but that didn't matter. If you need to send your child to bed. Send him or her with water. At least there is nothing in it to create cavities, and there is fluoride in the water. Good luck.

Answer 7

a baby that young usually wants a bottle before going to sleep it's normal,some babies don't give up the bottle until their around 2. babies vary from baby to baby,what's in the formulas these days don't seem to keep the babies full,it like they need more bottles.don't worry about it he's normal good luck you sound like this is your first child.you haven't seen anything yet the best is yet to come

Answer 8

yes when he doesnt want it anymore hell let you know