Postnatal fluoride supplements for infants and children: The pregnancy fluoride supplement does great things for the teeth that develop in the fetus - all the 24 primary (baby) teeth and the 4 first permanent molars (6 year molars), but for additional benefit for these teeth and in order to perfect the other permanent teeth that start developing about the time of birth, it is necessary to provide the correct amount of daily fluoride. If you took the prenatal fluoride, you can wait a few weeks til you and the baby get settled before you start; if you missed the prenatal, you must start as soon as you can. In pregnancy, the large size of the mother compared to the fetus, the rapid excretion of fluoride by her kidneys and quick uptake of the fluoride by her bones, all combine to keep the fetus from receiving an excess of fluoride, so the pregnant women taking 2 mg/day need not know whether her water is fluoridated or not. When the fluoride is given directly to the infant or toddler, it is best to know about the water, as if twice as much fluoride is given it may produce symmetrical white spots or lines on the teeth and if four times the amount is given, the discoloration can be tan. Although such marks can be easily removed when the child is 6-12 years old, there is no need to give an excess of fluoride, or of iron, calcium, or any other essential nutrient.  Use a conservative, reduced dosage, modern form of the 1979 American Academy of Pediatrics postnatal fluoride supplement schedule: Birth to 6 months: 1/8  mg/day; baby can suck one drop off your finger, or give 1/2 of a 1/4th mg (0.25) dropper. 6 months or 15 pounds to 2 years or 30 pounds: 1/4 (0.25) mg of fluoride/day. From there to 3 - 3 1/2 years:1/2 mg (0.5)/d. 3 years thru teens: 1 mg/day; over age 6 years, can take 2 mg/day. Under age 3 years, especially with bottle fed infants, if your water is fluoridated or has more than 0.4 ppm fluoride, use bottled water. Toothpaste: Before the child is old enough to rinse & spit (usually 2 1/2 - 3 years), use non- fluoride paste such as Baby Oragel, then under age 5 use a small pea size dab of fluoride toothpaste. Over age 5-6, a larger amount can be used.