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or taking too much, both very common faults, and causing much
misery to children. The bottle after use should be immediately
rinsed out, the india-rubber teat turned inside out, and the whole
then placed in a basin of clean water, to which a little boracic acid
has been added, until the next meal is required. It is better to have
two bottles and use them alternately. Twice a day, at least, the
bottle and its several parts must be thoroughly washed in hot water.
Any milk remaining over from one feed must not be used for the
next.
During the intervals of feeding, the infant should not be allowed
to suck rubber rings or teats, etc., as they cause flatulence, and are
the means of conveying dirt to the mouth.
Weaning.—The child should be weaned at the end of the ninth
month, and the process, if possible, should be gradual, occupying at
least three or four weeks. During the first week of weaning, the
infant should have one feed of cow's milk as prepared for infants at
nine months old, instead of the breast. During the second week the
child must have two such feeds daily, and so on. The bottle at this
time must be discarded, the feeding being by spoon and cup.
Do not wean:—
1. When the child is cutting a tooth ;
2. Nor, if possible, during the hot season of the year, or
the child may get summer diarrhœa;
3. Nor, if it has just recovered from an illness.
Food at One Year and after.
At one year old a little bread and butter may be taken at breakfast,
and at mid-day a little potato mashed with gravy. When the
child is about 18 months old the double teeth are beginning to appear.
This is the time to give a little meat, such as mutton or beef, which
must be pounded. Veal, pork, pastry, fruit, cheese, tea, coffee, etc.,
should not be given to infants.