Breastfeeding and infant oral health

On 24/12/2024

BREASTFEEDING AND CHILD ORAL HEALTH

Breastfeeding has many proven beneficial effects, including on the future oral health of the child.

BREASTFEEDING

The baby opens his mouth wide to take his mother's breast and his lips make a tight seal around the mammary areola. The baby's chewing muscles help move the milk forward and these stimuli will promote the growth of the mandible (lower jaw).

During this stage, the baby breathes normally through the nose before swallowing.

After several extraction cycles, enough milk has accumulated and swallowing will begin. Breathing stops during this time.

The mother's breast adapts to the baby's oral cavity.

BOTTLE FEEDING

The baby cannot open his mouth as wide because the teats are more conical than the mammary areola. The chewing muscles work less.

The child is forced, to allow him to breathe and avoid the permanent flow of milk, to use the muscles of his cheeks.

The baby absorbs more air and this mixture of air and milk can be the cause of various disorders.

THE ADVANTAGES OF BREAST MILK

It is the baby's mouth that adapts to the pacifier.

It covers all of his needs, in just the right quantity, and provides:

Resistance to infections (gastroenteritis, ear infections, etc.).

Since babies do not yet have a well-developed immune defense system, they thus benefit from that of their mother.

Easy digestion. Breast milk is very digestible. Its composition changes with the child.
Protection against allergies, in the event of unfavorable conditions.
Prevention of obesity. Breastfed babies seem to be less exposed to the risk of obesity in childhood and adolescence.
Benefits for the mother's health: faster recovery after birth. Reduced risk of certain cancers, such as ovarian or breast cancer.

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