The Care and Feeding of Children Part 9

_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 " "

Thus 25 ounces of Formula I would be obtained by using 2 ounces of milk, 1 ounces of sugar and lime-water, 21 ounces of water; 30 ounces of the same would require 3 ounces milk, 1 ounces lime-water and sugar, and 25 ounces water; 35 ounces would require 3 ounces milk, 1 ounces lime-water and sugar, and 29 ounces water. The amount of water need not be calculated in any case, but after measuring carefully the other ingredients enough water should be added to bring the total up to the amount required.

_How great an increase in the quant.i.ty should be made at one time?_

One may make up five ounces additional food; but the first two days only two or three ounces of the additional amount should be given; the next two days, four ounces; after two days more, the five ounces may be given.

The increase in the quant.i.ty given at a single feeding should not be more than a quarter of an ounce.

FOOD FOR HEALTHY INFANTS--THE LATER MONTHS

_How long should the fat be as much as three times the proteids?_

This is seldom of advantage longer than three or four months.

_What changes should then be made in the milk?_

After Formula V of the First Series (6 ounces of 10-per-cent milk in 20 ounces of food) has been reached, the fat should be increased very slowly for this proportion (3 per cent) is near the limit for most healthy children. The milk should now be strengthened chiefly by raising the percentage of proteids.

_How is this accomplished?_

The 10-per-cent milk and the formulas derived from it should now be discontinued, and those made from 7-per-cent milk used.

_Third Series_

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

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

----------------------------------------------------------- 7-per-cent milk 7 oz. 8 oz. 9 oz. 10 oz. 11 oz.

Milk sugar 1 " 1 " 1 " 3/4 " 1/2 "

Lime-water 1 " 1 " 1 " 1 " 1 "

Boiled water 12 " 11 " 10 " 4 " 3 "

Barley gruel 0 " 0 " 0 " 5 " 5 "

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

Since the sugar dissolves, the total will be twenty ounces in each column.

Of any of the formulas, 25 ounces is made by using one quarter more of each ingredient; 30 ounces, by using one half more; 35 ounces, by using three quarters more; 40 ounces, by using twice as much, exactly as described in the First Series on page 73.

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

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

---------------------------------------- I. 2.50 6.50 1.25 II. 2.80 6.50 1.40 III. 3.15 7.00 1.55 IV. 3.50 6.00 1.75 V. 4.00 6.00 2.00 ------------------------------------------

_How should the food be increased during this period?_

Beginning with I of this Series, which should usually follow V of the First or Second Series (pages 70, 71), the increase may generally be made in a week or ten days to II; in about two weeks more to III; now more slowly to IV and V. When IV or V has been reached, the same formula may sometimes be continued for three or four months with no other change than an increase in the quant.i.ty.