Fluoride Supplementation and Breastfed Babies

je2161

At DD's last well-child visit, the pedi recommended fluoride supplementation.

Our water contains fluoride, but DD doesn't get any water (or very very little). I typically use breastmilk to thin out her purees and she is breastfed.

According to Dr. Sears, "growing children with growing teeth" should get get fluoride either in their diet or in the form of supplementation, but he also states that breastfed babies do not need extra fluoride.

Are you giving supplements of fluoride to LO?

tokenhoser

No.

I should be brushing his teeth, though. I always forget. He'll get plenty of flouride when he does start drinking water, and I don't think he needs it now. Breastmilk is good for teeth.

kerrbear72

I don't get all this supplementing... Our Pedi wants DS on Vitamin D. While I'm not opposed, all of this adding to something that is supposed to be so beneficial and complete drives me NUTS.

 

tokenhoser

Vitamin D makes more sense to me, because I can see how our modern lifestyle (hiding indoors the marjoity of the day and keeping baby out of the sun because we ruined the ozone layer and now he'll burn in about 3.5 minutes) can cause deficiency.

Flouride is way less clear-cut to me, so we won't bother. And honestly, the vitamin D hasn't been happening since Owen quit the soother.

oooCarrieB

We do the prescription supplement that has Vitamin D, flouride, Vitamin C and some other vitamin in it.

I was a little weird about it at first, but I don't want her to get rickets or other problems. Vitamin D deficiencies can lead to rickets.

jazzyag

No we're not giving fluoride.  It's debatable that supplementing the diet with fluoride strengthens teeth. 

My understanding is that it can't get from the bloodstream to the teeth. It has to be applied topically for there to be any benefit. Fluoride in drinking water reduces cavities by coming in contact with teeth, rather than by being consumed.

Another thing that can help prevent cavities is Xylitol.  It is in alternative toothpastes and you can get it in a drop form for babies.  It has been shown to reduce cavities by 50% if taken/used 5X per day. I take my older girl into our health unit for monthly dental checks because of some minor decay, and I got this info from our dental nurse. The way that Xylitol works is that it makes teeth slippery so the plaque bacteria can't stick.

McAllie5

I'm glad someone said something about this. Our pedi prescribed a vitamin for the flouride. DD currently has no teeth. The vitamin contains iron and has a big giant warning in the label about iron overdose being a cause of death for children. I only gave him the vitamin three times before seeing that and stopping. I think the whole thing is completely unnessecary as DS is still BFing on demand.

LMBecky11

I have heard that it is not necessary in the water or in supplements and that it can actually be harmful. I have well water and know that at my LOs first dentist appointment they will tell me I should be giving her fluoride supplements, but I am not going to. Her pedi has never even mentioned it though. My suggestion is to research it before you make your decision and see if you think it is necessary or not.

From what I was told, the thing about vitamin D (for PPs) is that it is not transferred through breast milk, so if the baby is not getting sun and is only BFing then it is not getting any vit D, which is a very essential vitamin. I am forever forgetting to give them to my LO though! But I give them to her a few times a week, once I remember.

lulabellalula

I typically use BM to thin out any thicker foods that LO may eat, but at least once a day, I give him 1-2 ounces of water with fluoride. (tap water  normally has fluoride in it). My LO was EBF, but now that he's eating more solids, he also gets apple juice & water. He nurses mainly at night.