Part 9 (1/2)

_Second Series_

_Formulas for the Early Months from 7-per-cent Milk_

----------------------------------------------------------- I. II. III. IV. V.

----------------------------------------------------------- 7-per-cent milk 2 oz. 3 oz. 4 oz. 5 oz. 6 oz.

Milk sugar 1 ” 1 ” 1 ” 1 ” 1 ”

Lime-water 1 ” 1 ” 1 ” 1 ” 1 ”

Boiled water 17 ” 16 ” 15 ” 14 ” 13 ”

----------------------------------------------------------- 20 oz. 20 oz. 20 oz. 20 oz. 20 oz.

The approximate composition of these formulas expressed in percentages is as follows:

---------------------------------------- FORMULA. Fat. Sugar. Proteids.

---------------------------------------- I. 0.70 5.50 0.35 II. 1.00 6.00 0.50 III. 1.40 6.00 0.70 IV. 1.75 6.00 0.87 V. 2.00 6.50 1.00 ------------------------------------------

_How is one to decide whether to use the First or the Second Series of formulas?_

With a large, strong child, having a good digestion one should use the First Series. With a smaller, less vigorous child, whose digestion is not so good, or with one who does not do well upon the First Series, the Second Series should be used.

_Why is it necessary to make the food so weak at first?_

Because the infant's stomach is intended to digest breast milk, not cow's milk; but if we begin with a very weak cow's milk the stomach can be gradually trained to digest it. If we began with a strong milk the digestion might be seriously upset.

_How rapidly can the food be increased in strength from Formula I to II, from II to III, etc.?_

No absolute rule can be given. Usually we begin with I on the second day; II on the fourth day; III at one week or ten days; but after that make the increase more slowly. A large infant with a strong digestion will bear a rather rapid increase and may be able to take V by the time it is three or four weeks old. A child with a feeble digestion must go much slower and may not reach V before it is three or four months old.

It is important with all children that the increase in the food be made very gradually. It may be best with many infants to increase the milk by only half an ounce in twenty ounces of food, instead of one ounce at a time as indicated in the tables. Thus from 3 ounces, the increase would be to 3 ounces; from 4 ounces to 4 ounces, etc. At least two or three days should be allowed between each increase in the strength of the food.

_What general rule can be given for increasing the food?_

To increase when the infant is not satisfied but is digesting well.

_How does an infant show that he is not satisfied?_

He drains the bottle eagerly and cries when it is taken away. He often forms the habit of sucking his fingers immediately after. He begins to fret half an hour or an hour before the next feeding is due.

_In the series of formulas given in the table the quant.i.ties are mentioned for making only twenty ounces of food. How should it be prepared when more than this quant.i.ty is needed?_

It is equally convenient to make up 25 ounces, 30 ounces, 35 ounces, or 40 ounces at a time.

To make--

25 ounces of any formula add one quarter more of each ingredient.

30 ” ” one half ” ”

35 ” ” three quarters ” ”

40 ” ” twice as much ” ”