I run a breastfeeding clinic.  Every mother and/or baby I see in the
clinic has breastfeeding problems.  Thus, every mother and baby have
breastfeeding problems.

That is the same logic as this dentist.  How about all the babies who
do not have nursing caries?  I have three who nursed frequently at
night well into toddlerhood and none had any caries at all.

Data is to be expected from the dentist that there are increased
problems.

Also, do mention that though we all appreciate that dentists think
that teeth are the most important things in the world, there are other
issues involved here.  I would rather have a secure, happy child with
crummy teeth than a neurotic kid with beautiful ivories.  The
psychologic aspects of breastfeeding are altogether too often ignored
or minimized, and the longer the child breastfeeds the more secure he
is.

A pox on the dentists who complain about nursing toddlers.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC