Photo from McMillen Health, Jan 8, 2015
The American Academy of Pediatrics has developed a simple and healthy nighttime routine for our children, we call it the 3 B’s for Brush, Book, Bed. They suggest that each night the parent or caregiver: 1) Help children to brush their teeth 2.) Read a favorite book, (or two!) 3) Get to bed at a regular time each night. However, First Smiles Matter suggests an additional “B” that we love:
Start With a Bath
We suggest first giving your child a bath. Anna Medaris Miller, in her article The Benefits of Bath Time for Babies, is noted as saying, “For years, parents have valued bath time as intimate (and adorable) moments with their children. In fact, about 84 percent of parents say it’s some of the best quality time with their children they get, according to a Johnson & Johnson survey of over 3,500 parents worldwide last year. Health professionals, meanwhile, have long understood that regular baths are important to maintain kids’ hygiene. Now, researchers are learning that everyday rituals such baths and diaper changes are critical for babies’ development.”
Tiffany Field, PhD, is the Director of the Touch Research Institute in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Miami School of Medicine, tells us; “The feel of the water on their skin, watching water pour and drain, playing with bubbles, smelling soothing scents, and most importantly, the time for touch. Experts have also found that baths can de-stress and relax your baby to promote a good night’s sleep. Gently rubbing your baby’s skin in the bath slows down the physiology, so it slows the heart rate, it slows blood pressure, it changes brain waves in the direction of relaxation. So it’s basically a relaxation kind of response that occurs to having pressure receptors stimulated.,”
Brushing is Next
Start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth comes through, usually at around six months of age. Clean your baby’s mouth with a soft cloth, when they have their first tooth, use a small soft toothbrush with an appropriate amount of toothpaste. Clean all surfaces of the teeth and gums twice a day, in the morning and before bed at night. Baby teeth help children to eat and speak, and guide the permanent adult teeth into position, so it is important to take care of them right from the start.
Remember children need help brushing their teeth until around age eight. They will have established a routine of brushing two minutes daily, cleaning the front, back and chewing surface, for all teeth and tongue. Using a fluoride toothpaste will help to protect teeth from bacteria causing cavities.
Book Reading is Important
Bedtime reading is a great time for distraction-free bonding with your child, so reading each night is a wonderful way to spend quality time. Your reading aloud to them stimulates their imagination and develops their minds. It helps them develop language and listening skills and prepares them to understand the written word.
Bedtime
Sticking to a consistent bedtime routine means better sleep. A good night’s sleep is critical for a child’s healthy growth and helps them to feel and behave better. Having a warm bath, teeth brushed and a book read to them will help them to wind down. Children should not become dependent on your presence to fall asleep. Let your child know that you will be back in a few minutes to check on them, to make sure that they are asleep. Be sure to keep your promise.
2020 First Smiles Matter Oral Health Program (520) 724-7902 funded by: First Things First