Good Afternoon, Beautiful People!Let’s talk about something that has been a real challenge in my household lately—brushing my toddler’s teeth.
If you’ve been following my blog, you know I’m all about making small changes to help my son, Ermias, develop healthier habits, especially when it comes to food. But let me tell you, trying to keep his little teeth clean is a whole battle of its own. And the biggest struggle? Figuring out when to even brush them!
When Is the Right Time to Brush?
The morning routine alone has me questioning my life choices. Should I brush his teeth as soon as he wakes up? That seems logical, but then he eats breakfast, and I wonder—do I just brush them again? Or do I wait until after breakfast? But then, what if he’s running around refusing to open his mouth? By the time I finally get the toothbrush in there, it feels like we’ve both run a marathon.
Oh, and did I mention my son still breastfeeds? Yeah... mostly at night, which adds a whole other layer of stress when it comes to dental hygiene.
The Breastfeeding Dilemma
Now, I know there are mixed opinions on extended breastfeeding and dental health. Some say the natural sugars in breastmilk can contribute to cavities if teeth aren’t cleaned properly, while others say it’s not the same as sugary drinks or snacks. But let’s be real—even after brushing his teeth, he still nurses.
So, does brushing right before bed even make a difference? Or am I just cleaning his teeth only to have them coated in milk again within an hour? The mom guilt creeps in because I want to keep nursing him for comfort, but I also don’t want him to end up with cavities. It’s a tough spot to be in.
And honestly, by the time I’ve brushed his teeth and settled him down for the night, I’m usually too tired to even think about it. But then, at 3 a.m. when he’s nursing away, half-asleep, that’s when my brain decides to remind me: Hey, remember all that effort you put into brushing? Yeah… good luck with that. 🙃
The Toothbrushing Struggle Is Real
On top of all this, actually getting the toothbrush into his mouth is a daily challenge. Some days, he cooperates. Other days, it’s like trying to wrestle a tiny alligator. He’ll clamp his mouth shut, turn his head, or—even better—run away like we’re playing a game of tag. (Spoiler alert: I’m not trying to play! 😩)
I’ve tried it all:
Letting him pick out a fun toothbrush
Singing silly songs
Brushing my own teeth with him
Making it a game (which sometimes backfires because then he only wants to chew on the toothbrush)
Some nights, I win. Other nights, I accept defeat and tell myself, We’ll try again tomorrow.
So, What’s the Plan?
Honestly? I’m still figuring that out. Right now, I’m focusing on consistency over perfection. Maybe I’ll start brushing before breakfast and do a quick swipe after if needed. Maybe I’ll find a way to balance breastfeeding at night while keeping his teeth healthy. But one thing I do know? I’m giving myself grace, because this parenting thing is hard, and we’re all just doing our best.
So, tell me—do your toddlers fight you on toothbrushing? How do you handle it? And for my fellow breastfeeding mamas, how do you balance night nursing with dental health? Let’s talk in the comments because I know I’m not alone in this!
Until next time, let’s keep navigating these parenting struggles together. 💕
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