Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-03-20
ADVICE TO YOUNG MOTHERS:
SUGGESTIONS THAT MAY HELP
Bv Royal S. Copeland, NJ. D.

Commissioner of Health. New York.
Healthy babies are the JOY of the
parents and the hope of the commun-
ity.
The greatest pride can be taken in
the progress Of science in protecting
baby life In 1891, out of 1000 babies
born in New York City. 241 died. In
1919, out of every 1000 babies born
only S3 died. That is a wonderful
record and a great tribute to science
and humanity.
Young mothers have much to learn.
But how ready and eager they are to
learn!
Almost every letter I get from a
Young mother contains the admonition.
"Please answer by return mail!''
From time to time. as opportunity
offers, / shall endeavor to send you
message. / shall take counsel Of emf
nent authorities on babies whenever
you ask me some particularly difficult
question In the health department Of
New York City we are all interested II
babies. We have IS baby health sta
tions where thousands of babies are
looked after every day. No wonder
40 many need care, because SO many
babies are born in New York every
year. How many? One hundred and
forty thousand last year. If placed
shoulder to shoulder these little shaw
ers would reach % miles. In the Ian
guage of the period. Some babies.
Consider These Points.
Sometimes the baby becomes constr
pated. Why? .
The baby is naturally but wonder
fully dependent on the mother. AS she
is, so is the baby. If the mother is
constipated the baby may be consti--
pated. Therefore, the mother should
watch herself, because by so doing she
will be protecting the child.
Constipation is dependent largely
upon the sort of food habitually eaten.
Bran biscuits or mullins, olive oil in
salad dressings, lots of fruit and vege-
tables will help overcome this condl-
ton.
If the constipation continues in spite
of dietary regulation, the mother
should take tablespoonful Of minera!
oil at the time of the last feeding of
the day. Repeat this every night so
long as necessary.
You should avoid taking salts and
cathartics, because of the hablt-form-
ing danger, and because of the possible
effects upon the child. Mineral oil, as
the name indicates, is mineral. and
is not absorbed any more than a pebble
would be.
If the breast milk is insufficient in
amount the baby may become consti--
pated. For similar reason, lack OF
fluid and lack of substance, the child
will become constipated if there is ex-
cessive vomiting.
Irregular feeding, especially il the
nursing is too frequent. will produce
constipation. In another child the
same cause might promote diarrhoea
You should feed the baby by the clock
at such times and in such amounts as
your doctor determines.
Keep Yourself Well.
Sometimes the baby vomits excess
sively. Whyy
An over-supply Of milk may cause
the flow to be so rapid that poor baby
NAV swallow lot of air with the milk.
This may cause distcnsion Of the stom-
ach. and vomiting as result Good
care must be exercised in regulating
the amount of milk. Position at the
breast has lot to do with this
If the milk is too rich it may cause
vomiting. In this case the amount or
milk may be reduced by shortening the
feeding.
Sometimes the baby has diarrhoea.
Why?
The condition of the mother may be
responsible. As | have said, the mo-
Their must guard her own health. Emo
ton of any sort, excitement, anger
worry-all these will affect the child
Overlooking each time or too fire.
ouent feelings may upset the stomach.
Some over-indulgent mothers will rush