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18
fed infants, during the first 2 months of life. Figures taken at a later
date would show that a far larger number of children were fed on fresh
milk. One teaspoonful of Condensed Milk, with varying amounts of water
mixed is considered an adequate meal for an infant of any age. It is not
surprising to find that infants fed in this way are seldom " satisfied,"
and that unless fresh milk is resorted to (which is invariably more
carefully diluted), bread, biscuits, oatmeal, and patent foods are
given at a very early age.
Separate cots or cradles are at present the exception rather than
the rule, particularly during the cold weather.
The dangerous long tube feeding bottle is gradually becoming
less popular, but is still to be found; and one generally finds that
when used it is because it is cheaper than the more simple boat
shaped bottle.
During the months of June and July, with the valuable assistance
of Mrs. Parsons (one of our Voluntary Health Visitors), another
enquiry was made into the methods of feeding 100 babies between
the ages of 4 and 8 months.
This enquiry was made for the purpose of ascertaining to what
extent tinned machine-skimmed milk was used in the feeding of
Infants.
It was found that, although a very large amount of this milk is
consumed in the homes of the poor, in no case did it form any part
of an infant's food.
The 9 babies fed on condensed milk were in every case fed on a
full cream brand, and were doing well.
The methods of feeding were as follows:—
Breast-fed 52 per cent.
Hand-fed 28 ,,
Partly hand-fed 20 „