Helping Your Child Thrive
Foundations for a Healthy Start
Explore valuable information for expectant mothers and parents, including wellness recommendations, infant health tips, nutrition guidance, and early dental care insights to help your child thrive.
EXPERT TIPS FOR PARENTS
Key Information That Every Parent Should Know
1
During pregnancy, expectant mothers should make sure their prenatal vitamin contains Folate rather than Folic Acid. Folic Acid is said to be linked to postpartum depression symptoms, so check the label carefully before choosing a prenatal.
2
Wild Yam Cream can be a beneficial tool for navigating postpartum hormones. (It’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider, such as a doctor or midwife, before using wild yam cream postpartum, especially if breastfeeding.)
3
Xlear Nasal Spray is a key product to have to avoid chronic ear infections in your infant! One spray in each nostril prior to a diaper change will help ensure the xylitol-based spray reaches the ear canal and throat.
4
A child’s first dental visit should be no later than age 3. We typically recommend six months after the eruption of the first tooth or by age one. Early examination and preventive care will protect your child’s smile now and in the future.
5
Early Childhood Caries (also known as baby bottle tooth decay or nursing caries) is a big concern. Children risk severe decay from using a bottle during naps or at night or when they nurse continuously from the breast.
6
Infants should start on solid food at 6 months (with the recommendation from their pediatrician). Real food over purees encourages proper chewing, supports oral motor skill development, and helps babies adjust to new tastes and textures.
7
Encourage children to drink from a cup as they approach their first birthday, and never let them fall asleep with a bottle. Nighttime feeding should be avoided once the first primary teeth erupt, and juice should be limited and diluted with water.
8
Children should be weaned from a bottle at 12–14 months of age. Switching to a cup at this stage protects newly erupted teeth from prolonged exposure to milk or juice, which can pool around the teeth and lead to early decay.
9
Thumb sucking is normal for infants; most stop by age 2. It should be discouraged after age 3. Prolonged thumb sucking and pacifier use can create crowded, crooked teeth or bite problems. Dentists can suggest ways to address these issues.
10
Never dip a pacifier into honey or anything else sweet before giving it to a baby. Sweet coatings bathe the teeth and gums in sugar and greatly increase the risk of early decay, and honey is not safe for babies under one year old.
11
Young children should use an appropriately sized toothbrush with a small brushing surface and only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Teach children to spit out rather than swallow toothpaste, and assist with brushing until at least age 4.
12
Nano-hydroxyapatite is a synthetic, biocompatible mineral that mimics the natural composition of tooth enamel and bone. Many dentists now recommend children under the age of 6 use a fluoride-free toothpaste that contains nano-hydroxyapatite.
13
Here at Valley View Dental, we recommend Dr. Jen’s Fluoride Free Toothpaste! It uses nano-hydroxyapatite and is safe for little ones who are still learning to spit. Ask any of our clinical staff members how to get yours today.
14
From six months to age 3, children may have sore gums when teeth erupt. Many children like a cooled, clean teething ring to chew on. Gently rubbing the gums with a clean finger or a cool, damp cloth can also help soothe discomfort.
15
Never clean pacifiers or eating utensils with your own mouth before giving them to children. Doing so can transmit cavity-causing bacteria from adults to children. Rinse pacifiers with water and wash utensils with soap instead.