Human milk contains 16 mcgs/L of fluoride (+/- 5mcgs) regardless of
fluoride intake by the mother, according to LLLi.  That's the
*gold standard* for human infant intake.

According to the AAP Policy Statement of Dec. 97, pp 1035-1039,
babies from 0 to six months should get *no* fluoride.

Under Recommended Breastfeeding Practices, #7, I quote:

In the first 6 months, water, juice and other foods are generally
unnecessary for breastfed infants.  Vitamin D and iron may need to be
given before 6 months of age in selected groups of infants (vitamin D
for infants whose mothers are vitamin D-deficient or those infants not
exposed to adequate sunlight; iron for those who have low iron stores
or anemia).  Fluoride should not be administered to infants during the
first 6 months after birth, whether they are breast or formula-fed.
During the period from 6 months to 3 years of age, breastfed infants
(and formula fed infants) require fluoride supplementation only if the
water supply is severely deficient in fluoride (<0.3ppm).


That is the official stance so far.  However, Canada's Dental Asso.
has deviated from the US American Dental Asso. and has revised their
recommendations in 2000 stating that children under 6 years should not
get any fluoride supplementation.  They are concerned about dental
fluorosis, showing up in front teeth, the first sign of overdose.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry is also concerned about
dental fluorosis in US children, according to their July 31, 1998 news
release.

The answer is just to keep breastfeeding and the baby will get the right
amount of fluoride.  The biggest issue is that fluoride is a huge factor
in hypothyroidism, but that subject or how fluoride affects other parts
of the body other than teeth (such as bones or the pineal gland) is
outside of the scope of dental practice and should not be discussed by
dentists.  The California board of dental examiners so ruled.  The
problem is that the AAP issues their guidelines directly from the ADA.

Judy Ritchie

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