Abstract
It is known that anxiety levels of parents regarding the feeding activities of their children peak just after birth, and then such anxiety continues until 1 or 2 years old, when weaning is completed. The purpose of this study was to aid in the establishment of a new teaching and support system for babies and toddlers aiming not to improve existing organic aspects, but the oral function, and we also discussed the relationship between the anxiety of parents and the feeding and weaning status of babies and toddlers. The subjects were 290 babies and toddlers with their parents who received the dental consulting service of a certain ward. They were between 10 and 13 months old, including 152 boys and 138 girls. In this study, we conducted an interview-based investigation of the dietary status, including the weaning process and oral health condition.In the survey regarding devices for eating, the frequencies of bottle and straw use were higher than for other devices. Especially, straws were used by 10-month-old babies continually and more frequently than a cup. On the other hand, many parents had various questions regarding the oral condition, dental plaque control, and feeding. It is notable that parents with their first child often experienced anxiety. Additionally, it was considered that these questions and anxieties influenced feelings regarding the diet. In conclusion, it is considered that there is a marked need for multifaceted teaching and support including the dietary life and contents in the weaning period. Consequently, the prime objective is to establish a new teaching system for parents with babies and toddlers on the basis of their oral functional considerations.
