This week 6-month-old Carter is staying with his Auntie Rachel while Mommy works (our sitter is on vacation). Auntie Rachel runs a daycare and is in-the-know on all things kid-related (she has 2.5 kids - 7, 5, and one on the way).
I dropped Carter off yesterday morning and told her that she can use filtered tap water or bottled water to prep his bottles. She asked what I use at home (filtered from the fridge door). Then she asked a question which surprised me:
Huh? Um...I don't know.
A visit to the city water works page, click on FAQ and it's the first question. I confirm that the city began fluoridating treated water in December 2000 at a dosage rate of 1 ppm as recommended by the NH Department of Environmental Services and Centers for Disease Control. OK...
But then she says, "OK, but does your water filter remove the fluoride from the tap water when it filters."
Sigh...
Google search that one, and I find out that the fluoride is still there.
Double OK...so what?
She explains that her doctor and dentist told her that children need fluoride and that bottle-water babies have problems with their teeth because they are deprived of this fluoride (I think breast-fed babies get some via mom, but formula kids don't).
Carter has had a little of all three: breast milk for a couple of months, bottled water for a couple more, and now filtered tap for some time.
IS HE SAFE!?!?!
Call the pediatrician...
The nurse says that coincidentally they had a meeting with the dental association just yesterday (timely question!) and YES YES YES! It is recommended that ALL formula-fed babies drink fluoridated water for dental health (regardless of whether they have teeth yet or not). And that they recommend starting babies on water with fluoride at six-month but if you are using it earlier, even better. If your child drinks only bottled water or well water, you should consider giving him/her fluoride supplements.
Her pediatrician agrees and we live in different states.
However, this is not a universal recommendation. There's a huge debate out there about what is recommended!
I would be interested in hearing what your child's doctor says! Please post comments and share.
I understand there is controversy over this though. With my family's history of bad teeth, I figure this is a good thing, so Carter will continue to enjoy filtered tap water (bonus: it's cheaper!) However, all ideas are welcome...
I dropped Carter off yesterday morning and told her that she can use filtered tap water or bottled water to prep his bottles. She asked what I use at home (filtered from the fridge door). Then she asked a question which surprised me:
Does your city offer water with fluoride?
Huh? Um...I don't know.
A visit to the city water works page, click on FAQ and it's the first question. I confirm that the city began fluoridating treated water in December 2000 at a dosage rate of 1 ppm as recommended by the NH Department of Environmental Services and Centers for Disease Control. OK...
But then she says, "OK, but does your water filter remove the fluoride from the tap water when it filters."
Sigh...
Google search that one, and I find out that the fluoride is still there.
Double OK...so what?
Come to find out, this is important!! 
She explains that her doctor and dentist told her that children need fluoride and that bottle-water babies have problems with their teeth because they are deprived of this fluoride (I think breast-fed babies get some via mom, but formula kids don't).
Carter has had a little of all three: breast milk for a couple of months, bottled water for a couple more, and now filtered tap for some time.
IS HE SAFE!?!?!
Call the pediatrician...
The nurse says that coincidentally they had a meeting with the dental association just yesterday (timely question!) and YES YES YES! It is recommended that ALL formula-fed babies drink fluoridated water for dental health (regardless of whether they have teeth yet or not). And that they recommend starting babies on water with fluoride at six-month but if you are using it earlier, even better. If your child drinks only bottled water or well water, you should consider giving him/her fluoride supplements.
Her pediatrician agrees and we live in different states.
However, this is not a universal recommendation. There's a huge debate out there about what is recommended!
I would be interested in hearing what your child's doctor says! Please post comments and share.
I understand there is controversy over this though. With my family's history of bad teeth, I figure this is a good thing, so Carter will continue to enjoy filtered tap water (bonus: it's cheaper!) However, all ideas are welcome...
1 comment:
Please watch the movie "The Beautiful Truth". It will explain the controversy over fluoride much better than I could. The best thing for your toddler is to eat food without sugar or sugar derivatives to have healthy teeth!
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