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109
The amount of milk distributed during the year increased
by 5,869 lbs. of dried milk, 825 quarts of raw milk and
46 tins of Nestles, at an increased cost of approximately
£390.
Many more persons made application for milk grants
owing to unemployment
The distribution of this free milk has been an inestimable
boon, and has, without doubt, contributed very
largely to the improved condition of the children
generally.
By this means the Public Health Department and the
Maternity and Infant Welfare Centres are able to keep in
close contact with these cases, and at the same time
mothers have been able to obtain a proper supply of milk
for their children which they could not have done otherwise.
The arrangements whereby the Infant Welfare Centres
are supplied with dried milk for distribution has been continued.
The mothers attend the Centre and obtain their
supplies on presenting an order issued from the Public
Health Department, thus encouraging the mothers to
attend the Centres where they can obtain advice both with
regard to themselves and their children.
The Nutrition of Expectant Mothers.—It is essential
that the expectant mother should be well nourished if
the growing baby is to be properly supplied with materials
for building up bones, muscles and teeth which are forming
slowly all through the nine months before birth.
Fresh natural foods are what the mother needs most
for herself and her baby; milk, eggs and butter, fruit and
vegetables (especially greens, green salad, carrots, swedes
and tomatoes) are all important for her health.
The scheme for the supply of milk to expectant and
nursing mothers under the Maternity and Child Welfare
Act, 1918. provides that milk may be supplied in necessitous
cases to expectant mothers in the last three months
of pregnancy.