Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-04-09
USE OF ACID MILK IN INFANT
FEEDING

There are almost endless prob
lens associated with the feeding
of babies. The breast-fed young
ster is lucky. If there is an abun-
dant supply of mothers milk of
good quality, the baby thrives and
is well. Otherwise the household
is upset.
At least once a month you read
my comment that, the mother-job
is the hardest job in the world.
1t is a satisfying job, but it is none
the less trying on that account.
Worry, watchful care, attention
to detail, promptneSS and everlast-
ing demands make the raising of
the baby an anxious and wearing
period in a woman's life. But it
is only by the application of all
these attentions that the infants
health can be safeguarded.
The bottle-fed infant is a spe-
cial problem. 1t is a problem to
the doctor and nurse, as well as
to the mother.
Cows milk is physically and
chemically different from human
milk. To make the former at all
suitable for baby's digestion, it must
be modified" 1t must be diluted
and otherwise treated to adapt it
to the infants need.
The worst of it is that, with the
best of scientific effort, there are
children who do not thrive on the
ordinary bottle mixtures. For va
riouS reasons they cannot digest
them.
Because of these experiences
there has been much experimental
ton in recent years to find a salts
factory substitute for the usual
combination. Ways have been
sought to make cows milk more
suitable for the baby.
One method proposed is to give
acid milk sour milk. This will seem
strange if you have not thought
about 1t. But one reason why
some infants do not digest the
milk as they should is because
there is a lack of acid in the stom-
ach juices. To overcome this lack,
acid is added to the milk.
II somebody besides an anxious
mother should read these lines, it
is well to consider the importance
or acid milk in certain dyspepsias
or lndigestionS of adults. Many
persons have enjoyed great benefits
from the taking of buttermilk and
similar preparations.
In infant feeding several ways
OF acldifying the milk have been
tried. After long experimentation
Tactic acid has been decided upon
as most satisfactory.
What is Tactic acid? 1t is the
acid which is found in ordinary
sour milk. But it is formed, too.
IN the fermentation Of other sub
stances, and can be made by the
chemist. When separated, it IS
Ike a syrup in its nature, but it Is
very bitter to the taste.
Whatever acid is recommended
by the doctor, it is added to the
milk drop by drop. All the time
n mixture is vigorously stirred
to avoid the making of big curds.
Any acid placed in milk will cause
1t to curdle and this is true Of lac
tic acid. To prevent the forma-
ton Of curdS of large size the
stirring is essential.
To this mixture honey, corn
syrup or corn sugar is added. There
results a digestible and palatable
mixture.
Mind you'll am not recommend
ing this form of feeding for YOUR
baby. Whether this youngster re-
quires acid milk will be determ-
ined by your doctor. 1t is nv
desire, merely, to let you know
there are advanced methods in in
fant feeding, methods intended to
overcome fermentation and the
other effects Of ordinary mix. It
IS not desirable to use acid milk
II the usual mixtures agree.
There can be no doubt that this
system of feeding will relieve the
anxiety of an occasional mother.
If you think you are ore such
mother, talk with your doctor.
ANSWERS TO HEALTH