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10
THE BOTTLE.
Two bottles should be provided. They should not have
any tube, but simply be fitted with a large india-rubber teat,
which can be turned inside out for washing. After use the
bottle and the teat should be rinsed and scalded and allowed
to drain while the other bottle is being used.
Never use a bottle with a long tube, it is quite
impossible to clean it, and remember that a badly cleansed
bottle is a death trap and a frequent cause of Indigestion,
Colic, and Diarrhoea.
The vessels for holding the milk, cream, barley water and
sugar should be kept perfectly clean and stored in a cool place
protected from flies and dust.
OTHER FOODS BESIDES MILK
Up to the ninth month babies will thrive best on
milk alone, and until this age is reached they should not be
given any other food whatever.
After the ninth month the baby may begin to have
a little grated rusks, or wheat flour that has been baked in the
oven until it is nicely brown, added to its food at two meals
(night and morning) and gradually increased in quantity.
After the twelfth month a little bread and milk,
well-boiled porridge, small pieces of bread and butter, a few
crumbs soaked in gravy, a little milk pudding and occasionally
a lightly-boiled egg may be given.
At 18 months the child may begin to get a little finely
minced meat, pounded fish or mashed potatoes with gravy at
one meal in the day.
POINTS ABOUT FEEDING.
Do not put your baby to the breast nor feed it, simply
because it cries; if it is trained to have its food at regular
hours and is given nothing in between, the baby will rest
quietly and contentedly between its meals. Patient training
in this respect saves endless trouble and is the best way to
keep the baby well.
Remember that a child that is overfed and does not digest
its food wastes like one starved.
Fatty foods are most important for young children and
after the 12th month they should have more and more butter
or good margarine. Dripping is a good substitute for these as
the child grows older.