View report page

During last year a beginning was made of feeding young
children, who were not breast-fed, on dried milk instead of liquid
cows milk, but this for various reasons could not be continued.
An enquiry has been made into the number of babies who
are breast fed, and who continue to be so fed. The following
figures give a general idea of the proportion of breast feeding to
artificial feeding. Out of 2,471 babies of whom I have records,
2,362 were breast fed at 2 weeks; 35 were having feeds, and 74
were fed by bottle only. At 3 months of age 1,852 babies were
still breast fed, and at 9 months 989 were at the breast.
The last 2 figures, viz., for 3 months and 9 months are
incomplete because many of these mothers attend the Voluntary
Centres, some have removed, and some of the babies included
in the first figure have died.
Many mothers who would otherwise cease to breast feed their
babies are encouraged and helped to do so by the Health Visitors,
and at the Centres. Doubtful cases are given test feeds; the
mother is thereby shown whether her baby is having sufficient,
and is encouraged to persevere. The fact that a limited supply
of breast milk complemented by cows milk is still new to some
mothers, but is welcomed by them when explained.
Rickets. —An enquiry has recently been made into the number
and distribution of cases of rickets throughout the Borough. The
following table gives these figures in detail: —
District No. 1
32
(incomplete)
„ „ 2
32
(incomplete)
Cases of children
under 5 years of age
showing deformities
due to rickets.
„ „ 3
31
„ „ 4
18
„ „ 5
11
„ „ 6
23
„ „ 7
7
„ „ 8
7
Total
161