Baby bottle syndrome is a problem little talked about, but one that deserves but one that deserves the full attention of parents and early childhood professionals.
This phenomenon, which affects many children, remains little-known. Yet it can have harmful consequences on dental health of babies and young children.
- What is baby bottle syndrome?
- What are the associated risks?
- What simple solution can you put in place to combat this?
CONTENTS
Baby bottle syndrome: definition and impact on babies
Why do young children develop bottle syndrome?
What are the risks of bottle syndrome?
Using a training cup to combat bottle syndrome
- Steb by step!
- How does the learning cup allow for gentle detachment?
- When should a training cup be offered instead of a bottle?
The Elhée learning cup: a gentle solution!
Baby bottle syndrome: definition and impact on babies
Baby bottle syndrome occurs when dental damage is observed in young children who fall asleep with a feeding bottle containing chocolate or vanilla milk, fruit juice or any other sweet drink.
A bad habit that unfortunately exposes children's teeth to a prolonged sugar bath, leading to demineralization of tooth enamel and, in some cases, the early onset of tooth decay.
Studies show that bottle syndrome affects around 20% of children aged 1 to 2. (source: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry).
Why do young children develop bottle syndrome?
The onset of bottle-feeding syndrome can be explained by a number of factors that make it difficult to break the habit.
First and foremost, the baby bottle is a object comforting object It replaces the mother figure in the evening, when she leaves the room. Once baby is in bed, the bottle provides a sense of security and reassurance. These different feelings help him to relax and fall asleep more easily.
Next, let's remember that the sucking reflex is an instinctive instinctive behavior in infants. The bottle (when baby is not, or is no longer, breast-fed) satisfies this natural urge. This satisfaction creates a strong bond between baby and bottle, reinforcing attachment to this habit.
But as time goes by, it becomes more and more difficult to free oneself from this attachment. to free yourself from this attachment... Sometimes, as parents, you feel guilty for depriving your child of this source of comfort, which makes the process of weaning process more complex and difficult.
What are the risks of bottle syndrome?
The consequences of baby bottle syndrome on dentition are far from negligible. In practical terms, what does this mean?
The sugars present in sweetened liquids will encourage the proliferation of bacteria in babies' mouths, leading to increased acid production.
These acids then attack the child's tooth enamel, causing potentially painful carious lesions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dental caries affects almost 60 to 90% of school-age children ! Edifying figures that can be countered with simple solutions.
Using a training cup to combat bottle syndrome
Bottle syndrome appears to result from a lack of lack of sucking experienced at nightfall in toddlers, which we tend to satisfy at all costs to avoid tantrums and late onset of sleep.
Did you know that to prevent the onset of bottle fever and help your child give up the bottle at bedtime, a sippy cup is an excellent alternative to the bottle? excellent alternative ?
In fact, it is one of the very first steps on the road to autonomy !
Steb by step!
When introducing the cup, take care to limit the changes in your baby's life.
For example, avoid making this transition if you have a new work schedule or if your child is ill. child is illor if you've just moved house, or if you've moved baby into a big bed.
On the other hand, you can make a positive change. Why not combine the learning cup with a soft new cuddly toy, for example? Create a safe, calm environment where baby can "hang on" visually.
Add his favorite blanket and leave him a nightlight or lullaby if he feels the need. The weaning process should be carried out gently, with patience and understanding.
One step at a time 😉
How does the learning cup allow for gentle detachment?
The training cup is equipped with a sucking spoutand not a teat. The need to suck is thus gradually eliminated. The transition is a natural one. By offering a learning cup to your baby, you enable him to retain some of his reference points and slowly get used to the absence of the pacifier.
The idea, of course, is not to create a new addiction, but to eliminate bad habits.
If your child seems to have difficulty detaching himself from the drink and not the container, it may be that his attachment disorder is not correlated to the bottle but to the sugar... In this case, a consultation with your paediatrician or GP is advisable.
When should a training cup be offered instead of a bottle?
Knowing when to begin this transition, and making sure not to deprive the child of the bottle to avoid any trauma, can be worrying for parents. The ideal time to replace the bottle with a cup is around around 6 months to 1 year.
If the day :
- baby shows interest in solid foods,
- sits up unaided
- and manipulates objects with increasing precision,
you can deduce that it's ready for the learning cup!
So as not to surprise him in the evening, when he's most tired and likely to react negatively, start by offering the cup during the day during mealtimes. In the early stages, you can continue to use the bottle as an occasional source of comfort, if necessary.
This approach allows your baby to gradually get used to the cup and prevents him from rejecting it.
Note that, logically, waiting too long to replace the bottle with a cup increases the risk of developing bottle syndrome. If in doubt, seek the advice of a health professional.
The Elhée learning cup: a gentle solution!
Made of silicone, our Bubble bottle water bottle easy grip for babies.
As well as helping your child to get rid of his bottle at night and thus prevent the onset of bottle syndrome, our learning cup encourages the development of your child's independence by enabling him to drink on his own without your help.
Its leak-proof design prevents sheets and pyjamas from getting wet... No need to intervene!
In a nutshell
- The bottle syndrome is a reality that should not be underestimated. The risks to your child's dental health are very real (cavities, enamel deterioration, loosening of teeth). But there are simple, effective ways to prevent it.
- The learning cup Elhée's leak-proof training cup is the ideal solution to help your child wean gently from the bottle. Its soft material and generous shape make for a playful and pleasant transition, without frustration. Baby learns to let go of his need to suck thanks to the absence of a teat.
Did you know that the learning cup also helps develop fine motor skills?
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