Baby Bottles and Bedtime

Is putting your baby to sleep with a bottle harmful? Absolutely! When you put your baby to bed with a bottle of formula, milk (including breast milk) or juice, the sugars stay in the mouth, providing “food” for the bacteria which cause decay. If your baby insists on using a bottle to calm down, fill the bottle with water instead of a liquid that contains sugar. Early childhood caries is tooth decay that occurs in the deciduous (baby) teeth of young children, which happens when a child’s teeth are frequently exposed to sugary liquids. Decay in baby teeth can progress rapidly and cause pain and even harm the permanent teeth which are still growing under the gums. Tooth decay can also have an effect on a child’s general health.