Nursing bottle weaning and prevention of dental caries: a survey of pediatricians.

Numerous studies have documented the cariogenic effects of prolonged or nocturnal bottle feeding in children. Guidelines prepared by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggest that pediatricians advise parents to begin bottle weaning when their child is approximately nine months of age and accomplish weaning soon after the first birthday. However, little information exists concerning the advice pediatricians give to parents about nursing bottle weaning. Information about bottle weaning advice was obtained from 127 pediatricians selected from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Fellowship listing (1985-86). The majority of respondents discussed bottle weaning with parents and recommended a specific age for accomplishment of bottle weaning. Bedtime bottle feeding was discouraged actively, mainly due to the increased risk of dental caries. Implications of the findings are discussed.