FoodNet

Use and preparation of food

1919

Page 147

Presented as published in 1919. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
(3) It is usually adapted in quality and quantity to the needs of the bab3\ (4) It is delivered at the proper temperature. (5) Tlic naturally fed baby is less likely to contract in- fectious diseases. These advantages are so great that the naturally fed baby has a much better chance for life than the baby artificially fed. This point should be stressed in communities in which the mothers tend to feed their babies artificially. 220 USE AND PREPARATION OF FOOD. 221 B. Keeping up supply of milk. — ^lost mothers, with proper care, are able to nuree their babies. The following points are an aid in keeping up the supply of milk : (1) The diet should be laxative and of high food value, rich in protein and mineral salts, especially in lime. The amount should be 50 per cent more than she would need if she were not nursing the child but otherwise leading the same life. Milk is a particularh' valuable food for her. (2) She should have sufficient rest and out-of-door exercise. Fresh air is very necessary. (3) Freedom from worry. — Worry is a very potent factor in retarding the secretion. This works in a vicious circle, for worry retards the flow, the baby is hungry and cries, and the mother worries more. (4) Breast should have regular stimulation at sufficiently fre- quent intervals. C. Amoimt of milk taken at a feeding can bo determined by weighing the baby before and after feeding. This should be done at several feedings and average taken. The average intake is: Age : Amount. 1 to 3 (laj's ^ oimce. 1 week * oiiuce. 1 month 2A to 3i ounces. 3 months 4 to 5 ounces. G months 6 ounces. 8 months 8 ounces. D. Modifying the mother's milk. — In case the mother's milk causes indigestion a little water or cereal water may be given by bottle before or after each feeding, or some milk can be removed from the breast after each feeding, set aside for the cream to rise, skiuimed, and the skimmed mother's milk given with the next feeding. E. Supplementing mother's milk : (1) Substituting arti-ficial food for one feeding increases the total amount of food and gives longer intervals of freedom to the mother. This can be begun to advantage after the third or fourth month with most infants. A complete substitution of artificial food for more than one feeding is not desirable, since the frequent stimulation of the breast is necessary to keep up the flow of milk. (2) Some artificial food may be given with one or more of the nursings. The advantages are: (fl) Regular stimulation of the breast, {h) Opportunity to modify tliC mother's milk, (c) Mixing with mother's milk increases the digestibilit}^ of the artificial food. 222 USE AND PREPARATIOISr OF FOOD. 4. Artificial feeding (3 to 9 months). (The diet for the baby younger than three months should be planned with the advice of a specialist; after three months the advice of the specialist should be had in all abnormal cases.) A. Volume of food to be given at a feeding should be the capacity of the child's stomach plus 1 ounce. The following table gives the capacity of the child's stomach at the different ages: Ageia months. Capacity in ounces. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 4i ,5 5^ 6 6J 71 These figures are merely average and are furnished as a guide in determining the amount. The reaction of the child is, however, the final test.