PARENTS and carers of toddlers aged one and over in the district are being urged to 'bin the bottle'.

A campaign is being launched highlighting the effects prolonged use of a baby's bottle can have on a child's dental health.

And parents are being encouraged to attend one of several exchange points where they can collect an oral health pack, including a free-flowing feeder cup, and replace their bottles.

Spearheading the initiative is Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust's community dental service, in conjunction with Better Start Bradford.

Sharon Walker, oral health improvement lead at the care trust, says: "Ideally babies will be breastfed in the first years of their lives, but we do know many will be using bottles.

"If you are using a bottle, once your child reaches the age of one you should try to encourage them to instead use a free-flowing feeder cup.

"Drinks flow much slower through a bottle meaning a baby’s teeth are in contact with the sweetened substance for longer, which can increase the chance of tooth decay. Swapping to a cup will reduce that risk. They don’t need to use a bottle at all if they are breastfed, they can move straight onto a cup.

"Although it might be hard at first and maybe a little messy, it will help them to learn how to sip rather than suck and your baby will gradually adapt to drink from an open cup.

"We'd love to see parents and carers of little ones come along to one of our exchanges and bin their babies’ bottles, whilst finding out more about how to best look after their little ones’ teeth."

Gill Thornton, head of programme at Better Start Bradford, says: "In Bradford district around two in every five children have tooth decay by the age of five, so it's vitally important families are aware how they can support their babies and young children to maintain good oral health habits.

"The 'bin the bottle' message is a key one out of many, and we're thrilled to be supporting Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust with this campaign."

Oral health 'champions' will also be on hand at the exchange events to chat to visitors and offer guidance.

Event venues include Strong Close Nursery, Airedale Road, Keighley, on Wednesday January 25, between 8.45am-9.10am and from 12.30pm to 12.50pm.

Full details of exchange points can be found at bdct.nhs.uk/bradford-babies-bin-the-bottle.