When should a baby stop using a bottle?
From the age of 6 months when the child begins to use a spoon, you can introduce him to use a cup. Specially designed cups can be found in baby stores to start with this transition. It is recommended that babies should no longer be using a bottle around a year in age and no later than 18 months.
We have taken our 15 month old son to the pediatrician who told us that he had a cavity in one of his teeth. Is this possible? What could be the cause? What shall we do to prevent this to happen again?
Cavities are rare in breastfed babies, but can sometime be seen with children misusing their bottle. Nursing bottle cavities, or nursing bottle syndrome can be caused by different circumstances.
They occur when a child is allowed to fall asleep with a bottle in his mouth or feed for long periods of time. If the bottle contains a fermentable carbohydrate (like sugar in infant formula, juice, squash, sugar water or pop) and the liquid is allowed to pool around the teeth, the bacteria that are present will form acid, which will eventually lead to decay.
Nursing bottle cavities usually appear on upper front teeth and back molars first. The lower front teeth are usually protected by the tongue, and decay in this area is usually seen in very advanced cases.
To prevent nursing bottle cavities do not leave a bottle in your child's mouth while he or she is sleeping; begin brushing your child's teeth as soon as they come into the mouth, or clean them by using a wet washcloth. Begin regular dental examinations around the first birthday or earlier if a problem occur.
Is it safe to eat a vegetarian diet during pregnancy?
Healthy eating is important at all stages of life, especially during pregnancy. Your choices of eating and drinking habit at this time can affect your health and the health of your baby for many years to come. Your diet is your breastfed child’s diet. Deficiencies in several of the key vitamins for development are linked to maternal diets.
A well planned vegetarian diet is able to meet nutrition requirements for pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, vegans and some vegetarians can consume lower amounts of vitamin B12, D, calcium, zinc, iron and omega 3s (EPA and DHA). That is why, in some cases, dietary supplement shall be consumed.
In summary I recommend that you take advice from a professional to help you to properly plan your diet.