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15
[1908
A mother who improves her own health will also improve her baby's
health, both before and after its birth.
She should avoid alcoholic drinks of all kinds, beer, spirits or wines,
unless ordered them by a doctor.
She should have good, plain, wholesome, nourishing food. Let her
drink plenty of milk or take milk puddings or cocoa and milk.
2.—Feeding Baby
Put the infant to the breast as soon as possible, that is, as soon as the
mother has sufficiently recovered from the fatigue of her labour. This draws
out the nipples, while the fluid, although it is not yet milk, acts as a gentle
purge to the baby's bowels. This is nature's medicine Castor oil or any
purgative drug should not be given.
The Natural Food of the baby is its mother's milk, and therefore it
should be reared on it alone until the eighth or ninth month if the
mother have sufficient This is important, because breast-fed infants are less
liable to bowel complaints such as diarrhoea, which is very fatal in the summer
months, as well as to many other ailments, such as rickets.
During the first four weeks suckle the baby every two hours.
During the second month suckle it every two and a half hours.
During the next seven months suckle it every three hours.
The first feed should be given at 5 a.m., and the last at 11 p.m.
In the case of delicate infants it may be necessary to suckle it once or twice
during the night.
Regularity of feeding is necessary for the baby, who will wake up at its
accustomed time for its food, while irregularity affects the quantity and the
quality of the milk.
Weaning should be gradual, and should never be effected in July,
August or September, as bottle fed or artificially fed babies aie much more
likely to die from "Summer Diarrhoea" than infants that are suckled.
A mother should always suckle her infant. Artificial feeding must
only be resorted to when her health is bad, and under medical advice.
Feeding with Cows Milk.
If the mother cannot suckle her infant, it should be fed with cow's
milk and water or barley water, with a little sugar.
Skimmed or separated milk should not be used, as it contains practically
no fat, which is most necessary for the baby.
Boil the milk as soon as bought or delivered ; store it in scrupulously
clean covered vessels, keep it in a cool place and protect it from flies or dust.
Use a boat shaped bottle, but never one with a long tube.
Well wash the bottle and teat in very hot water with soda after each feed,
and keep it standing in cold clear water until again required.