Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-18
FOOD FOR INFANTS.
A Physician Gives Some Good Advice to
Anxious Mothers-Health Hints.

A Physician Gives Some Good advice to
Anxious Mothers-Health Hints.
As to the kind of food best suited to
young children, it may be accepted as an
axiom that unless the mothers milk pos
itively disagrees with her babe. it is bet
ter than any artificial preparation. The
rule is that the child will thrive best and
have tho best chance of life which is
nourished at it's mothers breast. Even
if the milk at first seems to disagree with
the child, it will usually be found that
this is due to removable causes. By at
tention to or disregard of hygienic rules
the milk may be made healthfnl or inju-
rious. The mother with an infant at
breast should always remember that fact,
and regulate her diet accordingly. She
should avoid sour foods and drinks and
alcoholic stimulants, for these have a
direct effect upon her milk. Highly
seasoned foods should not be eaten. Pep
per mas tendency to dry up the milk
supply. a little ripe, but not overripe,
fruit will do no harm, but care must be
taken that it is not green or decomposed.
The objects to be obtained from the
mothers feeding Gre to build up her own
strength and to produce a plentiful sup
ply of wholesome milk for the child.
Eggs are usually excellent Milk is good,
and so is cocoa and broma. Tender meat,
if in a perfect state and well cooked,
makes excellent food, but it should be
taken with other foods indicated above,
SO as not to put too much work upon the
digestive organs. It may be remem-
bered that preferences in food must al
ways be consulted. for the appearance.
odor and taste of food Is Of nUtritive
value. The mother should avoid, SO far
as possible, worry and excitement, and it
is highly important that she does not
subject herself to overheating. All these
things directly affect the quantity and
quality of the milk supply.
When on account OF the quality or in
sufficient quantity of the mothers milk
some other food must be provided for the
child it is very important that no mistake
be made in selecting the substitute.
Goats milk comes nearest TO the infant
| food or nature, but to many people that
is out Of the question Besides, even IL
obtainable, it is sometimes difficult to get
children to drink it on account of its
strong odor. After this comes cows
milk. This is difficult to obtain u the
city III q pure state, and the quality, Of
course, is not uniform. To people living
in the city, and especially people in hum
BILE circumstances. II Is not easy to get
one cows milk 1t is therefore custom
ary with physicians TO recommend con-
densed milk, because it IS rlore uniform,
less liable 10 decomposition and purer.
When cows milk is used is should Be
freshly boiled every time the bottle is
filed The boiling destroys any disease
germs lurking in the fluid and renders it
| less liable TO uritate the delicate stomach
( Of the babe. Weaken il with water and
! add little line water. This aids digestion
! and prevents the acid stomach TO which
: young children are so liable. Many srti-
/ fcial foods for infants are advertised now
| adays. but probably none of them are
! equal TO milk properly prepared.
| Avoid nursing bottles with long rubbe,
/ tubes Milk viii collect in them and turn
/ sour in spite OF the utmost Efforts al
cleanliness. They cannot be thoroughly
! cleaned. Such bottles have produced
/ many cases Of intestinal arrangement.
| The simpler the bottle the better: a plain
bottle with : rubber nipple is al that Is
| necessary. Have two bottles, and while
one is in use keep The other in q stron 3
| solution OF bica-bonate 0: soda after i.
has been thoroughly scouced OCT Do not
use nipple 100 long. It soo1 becomes
/ saturated with the mix and sEC1!d b
/ thrown away. These precautions Should
not be o;sregaried- Disease germs are
| facts, and uncleaalinsss aids tier rapid
| Development Care in these matters makes
| the difference between q healthy and 3
/ sickiy child.-W. b Graham n. D., Il
/ New York World.