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8
If after all you find that you can only partly feed your
baby at the breast or cannot feed it at all in this way, the next
best substitute is cow's milk. Only milk that is perfectly
fresh and of good quality should be used for the baby's food.
The cream that is contained in new milk is by far the
most important part for the infant. SKIMMED OR
SEPARATED MILK, which contains all the indigestible part
and little or none of the nourishing part of the milk, is therefore
worse than useless as an iafant food and should never be given.
Bring all milk to the boil as soon as you receive it
from the milk man. Then keep it in a jug or can, closely covered
so as to keep out dust and flies. Place the can or jug in a
vessel of cold water, and store it in the coolest place you have.
Cows' Milk requires special preparation to suit infants
at different ages. It should be prepared with great care and
a fresh lot should be made up for each meal.
The amount to be given at each meal will depend largely on
the size and vigour of the baby and on its appetite. The best
test that the milk is being mixed in a suitable proportion and
that enough is being given, will be the baby's steady increase
in weight. If the infant does not grow heavier and is not
thriving on the milk, a doctor should be consulted with a view
to having the mixture altered.
The following mixtures will be found suitable for the
average baby:—
For a Baby under Two Weeks Old.—Milk,
I tablespoonful; Barley Water,* 2 tablespoonfuls; Cream,
I teaspoonful; Sugar, 1 teaspoonful. Mix and then warm.
Give this to the baby every two hours in the day and every
four hours at night.
For a Baby from a Fortnight to Two Months
Old.—Milk, 1½ table-spoonfuls, gradually increasing to 3.
Barley Water,* 3 table-spoonfuls; Cream and Sugar as before.
Mix and warm. Feed as before.
For a Baby between Two and Four Months
Old.—Milk, 3 table-spoonfuls gradually increasing to 4;
Barley Water,* 3 table-spoonfuls, gradually increasing to 4.
Cream and Sugar as before. Mix and warm. Give this every
three hours during the day and once at night. The night feed
may be gradually stopped after the second month.
* Lime Water may be used instead of Barley Water occasionally.