Caries prior to age 3 and breastfeeding: a survey of La Leche League members.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to conduct a secondary data analysis of results from a 1985 survey of La Leche League International (LLLI) members to further investigate the relationship between breast-feeding and caries prior to age 3 (CPA3).

METHODS

Subjects were 576 LLLI mothers who responded to a 23-item questionnaire concerning the following factors for their oldest child: (1) breast-feeding habits; (2) fluoride status; (3) use of antibiotics; (4) carbohydrate ingestion; (5) history of caries; and (6) oral hygiene practices.

RESULTS

CPA3 was reported in 10% of all children breast-fed for more than 3 years. Later weaning was found to be significantly associated with CPA3 (odds ratio [OR]=2.03; P=.0001). Late initiation of oral hygiene was marginally associated with CPA3 (OR=0.77; P=.08). Among children who developed CPA3, bivariate analyses found a greater frequency of breast-feeding (P=.012) and presence of night-time breast-feeding (P=.049) to be associated with caries detected at an earlier age. Children with caries on their maxillary incisors were more likely to have been breast-fed at night (P=.027) and more frequently during the night (P=.032).

CONCLUSION

This retrospective study, based on a report of La Leche League International members, found later weaning to be significantly associated with an increased likelihood of developing CPA3.