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39
It has been shown by numerous observers that the milk of the same
species, while of great value throughout the whole period of suckling, is
very specially so during the early days of life. Even where circumstances
may render it necessary for the infant to be weaned during the
early weeks of life the mother should be by all means encouraged to
give the infant the breast for the longest possible period. No difficulty
is experienced in the subsequent early weaning, as is sometimes
supposed.
The need for regular feeding should also be discussed with the
expectant mother ; if possible she should be persuaded to accustom the
infant from birth onwards to feeding periods which should not be less
than three hours apart, and the feeding should be entirely intermitted
between from 10-11 p.m. to 5-6 a.m. Those who have practised these
methods of feeding have found by experience that greatly superior
results are obtained than by the methods of more frequent feeding.
Breast-feeding, even if difficult, should not be entirely abandoned
for three or four weeks. The difficulty is frequently due to the infant,
which is not sufficiently strong to supply the necessary stimulus to the
mammary gland which is tequired for the adequate fulfilment of its
function.
Only in comparatively rare cases can the deficiency of the mammary
function be attributed to a real defect on the part of the mother, unless
she is suffering from an insufficiency of food.
II.—Health of the Infant—Post-natal visiting.
The first visit after birth is paid at varying periods. In the county
boroughs the health visitors are frequently inspectors of midwives, and
they visit the infants as soon as possible after the receipt of the notification
in order to assist the supervision of the work of the midwives.
In other areas it is usual for the first visit to be paid after the
attendance of the doctor and midwife has ceased. Where the sanitary
conditions and the clothing of the infant have received due care before
the birth of the child, the most important matter for the first visit will
be the feeding of the infant.
In subsequent visits the sanitation and cleanliness of the home
should be kept in view, as also any alteration in the clothing and feeding
of the child, as the early months and years of life are reached.
Many of the children visited will doubtless be attending the maternity
centre, and it will be the duty of the health visitor to attend at the
centre and secure the carrying out of the advice which is given there by
subsequent home visits.