The Eugenic Marriage, Volume 2 (of 4): A Personal Guide to the New Science of Better Living and Better BabiesHague, W. Grant (William Grant)
Science
The Eugenic Marriage, Volume 2 (of 4): A Personal Guide to the New Science of Better Living and Better Babies
Hague, W. Grant (William Grant)
Eugenics; Hygiene; Marriage
When about to feed the baby, the bottle is taken out of the ice box and
heated to the desired temperature in a water bath. The temperature of
the milk can be tested by allowing a few drops to fall on the wrist; it
should feel warm, not hot; it should not be tasted by putting the bottle
to the mouth of the nurse, or mother, as it may become infected by doing
so. A flannel cover, or bag, should be made to fit the bottle and it
should be put on while the baby is nursing so that the milk may retain
its heat. The baby must not be disturbed while nursing, nor should he be
jounced or carried around after nursing. These habits cause vomiting and
indigestion. He should be put in his crib.
WHEN TO INCREASE THE QUALITY OR QUANTITY OF FOOD.--Children of the same
age may have different digestive abilities. A strong, robust child may
be permitted to take a richer quality of milk than a weak, puny infant
of the same age. If the quality or quantity of each feeding is too weak
or small for the baby he will be dissatisfied and he will cry after the
feeding. In such cases, if the bowel discharges are natural and yellow
without curds or white specks, and if he is not gaining sufficiently in
weight, the next stronger formula may be tried. If it is decided to put
him on the stronger mixture, it is wise to cut the quantity down for a
day or two in order to test out his digestive ability. If the stools
remain good after three days, the quantity may be slowly increased until
the amount in the recipe is allowed. It is a much more serious risk to
overfeed the baby than to underfeed him. If too large a quantity is
given, he may vomit it at once, or he may develop colic with intestinal
indigestion. Such babies lose weight, become fretful and irritable, even
though the appetite may remain good. If too strong a quality is given he
may vomit sour, buttery-smelling milk, or have colic, and pass curds in
the stool. If this happens it may be necessary to go back to a weak
formula and work up from that standard. This is always a tedious and
anxious experience and may lay the foundation for digestive disturbances
for a long time. Don't be too anxious to increase the quality, or
quantity, of your baby's food. It is much better to go slow and have a
well baby, than to try to force matters and get into all kinds of
trouble. No science calls for more elementary common sense, than the
science of infant therapy.
Digestive disturbances incident to this period are fully explained in
the chapter on Diseases of Children.
FOOD ALLOWABLE DURING THE FIRST YEAR, IN ADDITION TO MILK
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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