Healthy infant feeding traditions are embedded in cultural approaches to childrearing. However, dramatic changes in infant feeding and oral health practices were identified by the research participants as being connected to larger shifts away from cultural based childrearing. The reliance on biomedical advice around infant feeding, coupled with the drastic changes in diet including the influence of processed, high sugar, high sodium food, the low prevalence of breast feeding, as well as an overall lack of education on oral health practices have shaped the “culture” of poor infant feeding and overall care for the mouths of babies in the community. These changes in infant feeding practices and oral health cannot be understood within a vacuum, and the wider social and cultural context of the community is required.
Breastfeeding and healthy teeth were seen as linked by respondents. The participants were aware that even when it was milk or formula in the bottle, improper feeding techniques and a lack of oral care resulted in tooth decay