Milford chronicle., 1920-04-02
MOTHERS COLUMN
Contributed by the Medical Consult
ant of the State Reconstruc-
ton Commission.)
BABY's FIRST MONTH
PART So

PART SIX
most important consideration is
the mothers food, because of its ef-
feet upon the quantity and quality OF
her milk for the baby. For example,
plenty of milk, cocoa and cream taken
/ nv the mother, will increase the
I amount of milk very appreciably NO
nursing mother should drink less
than 2 quarts of fluid daily. Plenty OF
water is very essential as it will not
only increase the amount of milk but
will flush out the kidneys, thus getting
rid of many impurities.
The mothers diet may be quite full.
That is, meat once a day, potatoes,
vegetables. bread and butter, etc.
Cereal and rice are particularly good.
Coffee and tea especially more than
one cup a day, are to be condemned.
Small quantities of tannin or caffeine
can be found in the milk when these
are taken oftener by the mother, and
naturally they are bad for the baby.
1t is needless to say, in these pro-
hibtion days, that beer and alcoholic
drinks are to be let strictly alone.
Green fruit is to be avoided by the
mother, as it will upset the baby very
quickly through the milk.
AS regards medicine, the nursing
mother should not take it except on
the advice of a doctor. If the bowels
become constipated (Which should not
be allowed) take some mild laxative
and not salts. Salts cause great
loss of fluid which is of course to be
avoided as it will cause a reduction in
the amount of milk.
The mother should be careful to get
the full required amount of sleep, /
particularly when she is nursing her
baby. Ten hours out of the "a is a |
very good amount, never less than
eight
Worry is not to be permitted as it .
will very soon seriously affect not |
only the amount but the quality of the
milk.
Oftentimes a rash will break out on
the baby or he will develop some
trouble with his bowels. A doctor
should always be consulted in this
case 1t oftens means that there is
in the mothers diet which
f changed will cure the condition. In
)ther cases it means that there is
iome constituent Of the mothers milk
hat is above or below normal in
quantity. In this case, only lab
,ratory examination will show what
S wrong, and this should be made at
nee. If allowed to go on serious re-
ults may develop.
Baby's diaper should be watched
arefully as this is one of the most
means of telling the con-
.ition of his digestion and assimila-
ion. The first few stools after birth
will be black or very dark in color.
his is quite normal due to the mec-
MUM which is present in the bowel
t birth. After this has passed off
he stools should be yellow in color
nd not more than three or four
ay. If there is any change in color,
they become green or have yellow
jumps in them, consult a doctor at
nee. Remember that the soft, yell
ow, smooth stool is the normal one.
Baby boys often need circumcision.
his should be attended to for if let
o on it often leads to the formation
bad habits
Diapers must always be kept abso-
ltely clean. Never dry and use
econd time no matter how slightly
oiled. Boil at least Is minutes in
-ater with some soda added. Dry in
le open air and sun and not by the
itchen stove.