London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Croydon 1910
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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and scalded, and allowed to drain while the other bottle is being
used. Once a day each botile and teat should be boiled. This can
be done without breaking the bottle, by putting it in a saucepan
full of cold water and gradually bringing to the boil. A piece of
clean rug should be put under the bottle to prevent it resting on the
bottom of the pan.
the food.
7.—Specially prepared mixtures of milk and cream are the best
substitute for mother's milk ; most infants, however, will thrive on
cow's milk mixed with barley water, if constant care is taken to
prepare it properly and to use a suitable form of bottle. Only milk
that is perfectly fresh and of good quality should be used for the
baby's food. Before use the milk should be at the temperature of the
hand, i.e., 98 degrees Fahrenheit, or blood heat. If the child does
not thrive on cow's milk and barley water, medical advice should be
sought.
8.—Barley Water is made by boiling two teaspoonfuls of patent
barley in a pint of water. Always prepare fresh at least once a day.
Add this to the milk and boil the mixture. It should be sweetened
with a small lump of sugar added to each bottle.
9. TABLE OF FEEDS.
| Age of Child. | How often fed. | Average quantity for each feed. Milk. Barley Water. |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1 week | Every 2 hours (by day) 1 | tablespoon 2 tablespoons |
| 2—6 weeks | Every 2 hours „ 2 | „ 4 „ |
| 6 wks.—3 moths. | Every 2½ hours „ 5 | „ 5 „ |
| 3—6 months | Every 3 hours „ 8 | „ 4 „ |
It is well to let the quantity largely depend on the appetite.
The best test that a child is being properly fed is its weight. This
should be ascertained from week to week, and advice obtained if the
child is not steadily gaining weight. At six months a healthy child
will take 1½ pints of milk in 24 hours. At nine months it will take
two pints of milk in 24 hours. A child that is overfed and does not
digest food wastes like one starved.
10.—When the baby has reached seven months, the use of the
bottle should be discontinued, and the child should be fed with a
spoon or from a Cup. The strength of the food should now be
increased till the baby takes pure milk, which should, however, still be
boiled. At two meals (night and morning) a small quantity of
prepared food, such as Benger's, Mellin's, Savory and Moore's,
Nursery biscuits or grated rusks may be added to the milk.