Infant care?

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Hey all! Im doing a teaching plan on "What infants can do" and was wondering if there was something that is taught to parents about oral care who are taking home their new baby. Ive never had a child myself so I'm not sure if there is anything to be done to an infants mouth until, of course, they have teeth....

Is there anything else that any of you can tell me that is very important for new or just undereducated parents to know in taking care for their baby, any help is appreciated. Exspecially if it is something that you have seen parents do wrong.

Thanks in advance.:yeah:

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Specializes in M/S, SNU, Office, and Private Duty.

I know that when the child gets older to tell the parents not to put the child to bed with a bottle to soothe them to sleep, doing so lets the sweet milk set in the mouth and possibly rot the new teeth coming in.

Also when the child starts to teeth to take a soft washcloth moistened with water and wipe the new teeth after feedings to prevent tooth rot (kinda like brushing their teeth)

Earlier than that I wouldn't worry too much about oral hygiene, If they are worried I would recommend a simple moist washcloth to the gums would be sufficient.

Oh and soda does not belong in a sippy cup!

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

Soda does not belong in a child's mouth, no matter how it gets there. I get really quite annoyed with parents who put soda into their baby's bottle. And I've seen first hand MANY kids whose teeth have virtually rotted out of their heads. Toddlers with a mouthful of stainless steel crowns are nothing to brag upon.

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Specializes in Oral care, diabetes, caries management.

I don't know if this is too late but I think it may be good information either way.

1. Mothers pass on their cavity and periodontal disease germs to their babies, so the best thing to do is to have the mothers keep their own teeth clean.

2. Mothers who chew gum with 100% xylitol as the sweetner pass on fewer cariogenic bacteria than those who do not.

3. The baby's mouth should be wiped out with a clean washcloth after feeding, sounds brutal but it's good for them.

4. First tooth, see the dentist. You'll have to call around for a hygienist or dentist who will see them that young but you should make the effort.

Shirley Gutkowski, RDH, BSDH, FACE

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