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25
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE
SERVICES.
Whilst recording that in April, 1938, the Hammersmith
Infant Welfare Association ceased to exist and the Infant
Welfare Centres and Ante-Natal Clinics were transferred
to the Hammersmith Borough Council, a warm tribute
must be paid to the long, loyal and valuable service which
that Association had contributed to this much-needed work.
Those centres are now staffed by the Assistant Medical
Officers, Health Visitors and Clerks employed by the
Borough Council, and they in turn are assisted by voluntary
helpers, some of whom formerly co-operated in the work
previously done by the Hammersmith Infant Welfare Association,
and some continuity of progress has thus been
maintained throughout the transitional period.
From the outset the confidence of the mothers in the
medical advisers is first sought to be obtained and is maintained
by the attendances at the Ante-Natal Clinics and
at the Infant Welfare Centres, and as the same doctors
attend the expectant mothers at the former and the children
at the latter the value of their advice and recommendations
becomes more appreciated, and are, therefore, more carefully
followed.
The problem of breast feeding is still a difficult one,
and the number of mothers who are unable to feed their
children for more than the first few weeks is regrettably
great. There is, therefore, considerable need for the establishment
of a Breast Feeding Clinic.
All necessitous women when pregnant are allowed free
milk, iron, calcium and cod liver oil. All benefit by these
foods, but it would undoubtedly be preferable were they to
take advantage of the free dinners provided. Many, however,
find themselves unable to do so owing to the necessity
of being at their own homes upon the return of their
husbands from work and their children from school.