Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/203

 i8i OHILDflKN I BABY'S FOOD By Mrs. F. L. MATHER, Central Midwives' Board, A.R.San.I. He:iUh Lecturer to No rtJt umber land Education Committee; Author of ''Health and Home Nursing," " Hyi^iette and Temperance," "Home Nursery," etc., etc. Baby's ultimate welfare Depends mainly on its Early Feeding — Nature has Provided the best Diet ; but, iE Cow's Milk must be used, it should be Sterilised and Modified — the Diet should not be Changed except on a Doctor's Recommendation Infant mortality returns show that one- ^ fifth of all the babies born into the world die before they are one year old. Vital statistics show that 75 per cent, of these deaths are due to the use ol harmful foods. Of those who do survive many are enfeebled and crippled, and, if they do not die during childhood, grow up to swell the ranks of the " physically unfit." This " massacre of the innocents " would soon cease if all mothers could and would suckle, or nurse, their own babies. A baby fed naturally by its mother will be strong and healthy often amidst the most unfavourable surroundings, while, even in the most hygienic and up-to-date nurseries of the rich, the baby deprived of its mother's milk will be small and sickly. As already stated in a previous article, the future life and health of every child is almost invariably determined during the I first few months of its existence. Under these circumstances, and with a rapidly falling birth-rate, the care and feeding of babies becomes a very important thing, not only to the mother, but to the nation as well. Dr. Cheadle calls it a matter of " national hygiene." Of the great factors in the maintenance of health food is the most important as far as the baby is concerned. We all need food to nourish and maintain the body, but with children there is the actual formation of new tissues, or, in other words, growth to be considered. Nature's Diet If, then, baby is to grow and be healthy and happy, it must be carefully and per- fectly fed. It must have a food that will nourish, that will suit its immature diges- tion, and food which is pure, fresh, and free from contamination of dirt or disease. Nature usually provides for baby, mother's milk, a ready and suitable food. It contains all the elements necessary for life and growth in the right proportion in an easily digested form ; it presents no large quantities or hard masses ; indeed, there is no food to compare with it. Every mother, then, who can nurse her baby should make it her duty, as well as her pleasure, to do so, and, provided she is reasonably healthy, looks after herself properly, and feeds the baby at regular intervals, there is no reason why her milk should not amply suffice. It is a well-known fact that breast-fed babies very rarely suffer from rickets, diarrhoea, convulsions, or any of the troubles which beset the baby brought up by hand. Baby should be put to the breast as soon as possible after it is born, and should be fed regularly by the clock every two hours during the day, and three times during the night, for the first month of life. During the second month baby should be fed every three hours during the day and twice during the night, and so on in propor- tion as the child grows older till weaning takes place. Baby must be fed regularly. It must be taught to take its feed slowly, each meal taking fifteen minutes. The breasts should be used alternately, the contents of one being enough for a meal. After a meal baby is generally placed in his cot or perambulator, and should be laid on his right side. The mother will soon know if baby is thriving on the milk. First, by increase in weight. Weight should increase by about four ounces per week, or one pound per month, from birth, and at birth the weight usually is about seven pounds. Baby should be weighed regularly, and his weight noted on a chart or notebook kept for the purpose. If losing weight a doctor should be consulted at once. Second : Baby will look rosy, with fine, firm flesh. Third : It will be ready for meals, and will be generally contented, crowing, kicking, and stretching. Fourth : The teeth will appear at the proper time. Of course, to be able to do this the nurs- ing mother must be very careful of herself for baby's sake. She should eat good, plain food, with milk and cocoa, or good oatmeal gruel, avoiding too much tea. and, unless ordered by the doctor, all alcohoUc drinks. She must avoid hot places of amusement, late hours, and worry or excitement. Regularity in feeding is one of the great secrets of success, and baby must not be given food merely because he cries ; this it probably does because already it has had too much. Baby may be thirsty, and should be given a little pure water oQC^ionally, especially during teething time.