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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 over-fed 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 (nigh, 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.
Ordinary bread and milk or porridge should not be given at this
age, but a little wheat flour, baked in the oven until it is nicely
browned, may be given with the milk if the other foods cannot be
obtained. All infant foods should be given in small quantities at first,
and only to infants over seven months old.
11.—At 12 months a lightly boiled egg, a little broth, a few
crumbs soaked in red gravy, a little milk pudding, porridge, bread
and milk, or small pieces of bread and butter may be added to the diet.
12.—At 18 months a little finely minced meat, pounded fish
or mashed potatoes with gravy may be given at one meal in the
day. Never give an infant "what we have ourselves," cheese, bacon,
tea or beer, nor soothing syrups, and teething powders. Wine or
spirits should only be given under medical advice. If the baby is not
thriving, see what a slight change in the strength of the food or
kind of food will do. Do not allow it to be continually gnawing
at a piece of bread or biscuit. If the baby continues to ail, seek
medical advice.
CARE OF THE TEETH.
13. — Baby should have 12 teeth by the time he is 12 to 15 month's
old. These teeth want excercise and you should give a small piece of
dry toast, or crusty bread, or hard biscuit twice a day, so that the teeth
and the jaw muscles may have something to do. Due exercise is
necessary for the growth of the jaw. Milk must still be the chief food,
but too much pappy food is bad, as particles left between the teeth are
apt to turn sour and cause decay. Therefore, brush the baby's teeth