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14
and a warning as to Summer Diarrhoea are given to the mothers,
but I fear that these steps do not carry us very far towards a solution
of the trouble.
URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL OF ENFIELD.
Advice to Mothers.
Keep yourself in good health.
Take good and wholesome food at regular meals only. Do not
take spirits, beer, stout, or much tea, but rather milk or cocoa.
Keep your window open night and day.
Feed your baby regularly.
Breast Feeding.—Mother's milk is the best, cheapest, and
safest food for infants.
Keep the child at the breast about ½-hour at each feed.
Do not feed more often than every two hours during the day,
and once between 11 at night and 6 in the morning. Never let the
baby feed too fast. Wake the baby if asleep at feeding times.
The time between feeds should be gradually increased until by
the begining of the third month the breast is given every three
hours, and at the age of six months, five times in the day and not
at all between 11 at night and 6 in the morning. The best times
are 6 a.m., 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m., and at 10 p.m.
Weaning.—Keep the baby on the breast entirely for 9 months
if possible. Never wean during July, August, or September, if
you can help it.
Rules for daily use.—Let the baby sleep in its own cot, and lie
in it during the day. A banana crate, box, basket, or drawer
serves equally well. If the child cries see if the napkin wants
changing, or if the baby is cold and not properly covered up.
Clothing.—-Give the baby a warm woollen vest with long sleeves,
a soft knitted or flannel binder, a long flannel nightdress, and an
outer dress. Do not use a tight or stiff binder. Never use flannelette.
"Shorten" at 2-3 months old. Keep to the vest and one
flannel petticoat and dress, but now put on warm stockings instead
of socks.
Bath the baby once a day, and wash it once a day as well,
using very little soap. Dry thoroughly, especially in ears and all
folds of skin.
Undress and dress the baby quickly so that it does not catch
cold. Babies must always be kept warm.
The windows of the bedroom and living room, except at bath
time, should always be kept open at the top as wide as the weather
will allow. The baby should be kept out of doors in the day-time
as much as possible, and may sleep out of doors in mild weather in
a sheltered place.
Do not give soothing syrups, teething powders or purges without
the doctor's orders.