Feeding the family / by Mary Swartz Rose.

  • Rose, Mary Swartz, 1874-1941.
Date:
1916
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Feeding the family / by Mary Swartz Rose. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    140/518 (page 108)
    At the end of the first month .... 30 Calories per pound At the end of the third month . . . . 41 Calories per pound At the end of the sixth month .... 43 Calories per pound At the end of the ninth month .... 40 Calories per pound The addition of orange juice, barley flour, and egg yolk will raise the fuel value from the sixth month to the end of the nursing period to about 45 Calories per pound. Comparing these figures with the baby’s actual energy requirements,1 it is noticeable at once that the food supply during the first month is far below what a normal baby gets when taking mother’s milk, and is barely enough to supply his daily needs for energy, with little or no surplus for gain in weight. But it is absolutely essential that the baby digest his food if it is to do him any good, and it is unwise to overtax his stomach while he is getting used to the artificial food. Hence we must increase the strength of the feedings gradually and try to make up later for these early deficiencies. After the first two weeks if digestion is good, the fuel value might be raised by increasing the milk one-half ounce every three instead of every four days up to the end of the third month, after which the energy supply is adequate for normal growth. Very rapid increase in weight is to be regarded as a doubtful good, especially on artificial food; small, steady gains are less likely to be followed by nutritional disturbance later. Another way of raising the fuel value of diluted whole milk is by increasing the proportion of fat. Healthy 1 See page 103.