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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – A new study has revealed that the common practice of bottle feeding toddlers to sleep is associated with increased risks of dental cavities and overweight in early childhood. Experts are urging parents and caregivers to avoid this habit.
The research, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, was conducted by the University of Sydney, utilizing data from over 700 toddlers participating in Western Sydney University’s Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids (HSHK) study. Researchers analyzed maternal survey responses, dental check results, and body measurements, while also considering other factors influencing dental hygiene and weight.
Key findings of the study include:
- Over 30% of children were still bottle-fed to sleep at two years old.
- Children bottle-fed to sleep at two years old were nearly twice as likely to be overweight in early childhood.
- Children bottle-fed to sleep at three years old had nearly twice as many teeth affected by tooth decay.
Heilok Cheng, the study’s lead author and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Sydney’s Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, emphasized the importance of parental awareness. “Australian recommendations advise parents to start introducing cups at 6 months of age and stop using baby bottles at 12 months. Bottle feeding in bed is not recommended at any age. Our research now provides a much more robust evidence base for that advice.”
Cheng explained that common toddler drinks, such as cow’s milk and formula, often contain sugars that increase the risk of tooth decay. Furthermore, bottle feeding at bedtime, often used to soothe children, can lead to overfeeding and unhealthy weight gain.
Public health experts are calling for comprehensive action to address childhood obesity and improve dental health. Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia, highlighted that “Recently, obesity has overtaken tobacco as Australia’s biggest cause of preventable disease burden. Around one in four Australian children have overweight and obesity in this country is a slow-moving public health crisis.”
Slevin urged the next Federal Government to implement better regulation of toddler food labels and formula marketing, and to include dental care in Medicare. This would ensure that all children have access to early dental care, preventing tooth decay from worsening.
The study provides further evidence for the need to support families in establishing healthy habits from early childhood.
More information: Heilok Cheng et al, Bottle feeding to sleep beyond 12 months is associated with higher risk of tooth decay and overweight in Australian children: Findings from the Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids cohort study, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100224
Journal information: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
Disclaimer: This news article is based on the provided information and should not be considered medical advice. Parents and caregivers should consult with healthcare professionals for personalized guidance regarding their children’s health and feeding practices.
