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Sir, I note with interest of the news that the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) produced a position statement on infant feeding in early 2018.1 One of the recommendations arising out of the position statement is that 'Consideration should be given to reducing on-demand and night-time feeds in light of the emerging evidence-base suggesting a potential link between these practices and complementary feeding after 12 months of age and dental decay'.2
Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months and continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years or beyond.3 This BSPD position statement seems to undermine the WHO guidelines and may cause confusion to health professionals and mothers. To clarify the position, the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative issued a statement in March 2018.4
This is followed by another statement issued by Public Health England in April 2018. Public Health England believes that there is no evidence that from 12 months of age reducing breastfeeding on demand and at night time will result in the prevention of tooth decay.5
References
British Society of Paediatric Dentistry. New advice on feeding and weaning babies to reduce tooth decay risk. Br Dent J 2018; 224: 399.
British Society of Paediatric Dentistry. Position Statement on Infant Feeding. January 2018 (minor revision February 2018). Available at https://www.bspd.co.uk/Portals/0/BSPD%20statement%20on%20Infant%20feeding%20Jan%202018i.pdf (accessed 7 June 2016).
World Health Organization. Health topics: Breastfeeding. Available at http://www.who.int/topics/breastfeeding (accessed 7 June 2016).
UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative. Statement on British Society of Paediatric Dentistry infant feeding position statement. March 2018. Available at https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/04/Statement-on-British-Society-of-Paediatric-Dentistry-Unicef-UK-Baby-Friendly-Initiative.pdf (accessed 7 June 2016).
Public Health England. Current evidence and guidance on breastfeeding and dental health. April 2018. Available at https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/04/PHE-Child-Dental-Health-and-Breastfeeding-April-2018.pdf (accessed 7 June 2016).
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Yeung, C. Paediatrics: Breastfeeding and dental health. Br Dent J 224, 917 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2018.488
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2018.488