The hours for the nursings, which vary with different doctors, will constitute the greater part of this daily schedule. For a baby on four hour feedings, for example, some such program as the following may be arranged, while for a baby on a three hour schedule a slightly different program may be arranged.
| 6 | a.m. | Feeding. | |
| 8 | a.m. | Orange juice (when ordered). | |
| 9 | a.m. | Bath. | |
| 10 | a.m. | Feeding. | |
| 10:30 to | 2 | p.m. | Out of doors. |
| 2 | p.m. | Feeding. | |
| 2:30 to | 4 | p.m. | Out of doors. |
| 4 | p.m. | Orange juice (when ordered). | |
| 4 to | 5:30 | p.m. | Indoor airing and exercises (when ordered). |
| 5:30 | p.m. | Preparation for the night. | |
| 6 p.m. | Feeding. | ||
| 10 p.m. | Feeding. | ||
| 2 a.m. | Feeding (when ordered). | ||
YOUR BABY’S FOOD
Proper feeding is probably the most decisive single factor in the routine care of the baby.
In order that the food shall be satisfactory, it must be not only suitable in composition for the individual baby, but it must be clean, fresh and at the right temperature; given in suitable amounts and at suitable intervals; it must be given properly—not too fast nor too slowly and it must be given under favorable conditions. Moreover, as has been stated, the baby, himself, must be kept in a general condition which will promote the digestion and assimilation of the food that is given to him. Fresh air, suitable clothing, an even body temperature, gentle handling, proper bathing, regular sleep, freedom from excitement, fatigue, and irritation all promote the baby’s ability to use his food to advantage. Reverse conditions all work against it. Accordingly, the actual value of the baby’s food to him will be largely dependent upon the care that you give him.
There are three methods of nourishing the baby: by breast feeding, by artificial feeding and by a combination of the two, termed mixed or supplementary feeding.
Breast Feeding. From all standpoints, maternal nursing, under normal conditions, is the most satisfactory method of nourishing a baby. If the breast milk is suitable it meets all of the baby’s requirements and the proportion and character of its constituents are exactly suited to his digestive powers. In order for maternal nursing to be entirely satisfactory, the condition of both mother and baby must be favorable. The preparation and care of the mother have been described: her general condition and state of nutrition; the care and condition of her nipples, flat or retracted nipples being· brought out if possible, and if not, the nursing facilitated by the use of a shield. As to the baby, if his diaper is wet or soiled, it should be changed before he is put to the breast, partly to make him comfortable and partly to avoid disturbing him for this after his feeding; and his mouth is gently swabbed with boric-soaked cotton, if your doctor so orders.[[2]]
[2]. Boracic acid solution is made by adding one teaspoonful of the crystals to one cup (half-pint) of boiling water.
Although nursing is an instinct, the baby may have to learn how to nurse or to acquire the habit, this being one reason for putting him to the breast during those first two or three days when he obtains little or no actual food, as was explained in Chapter IX. As he expresses the milk by squeezing and suction made possible only when the nipple is well back in his mouth, he must take into his mouth practically the entire colored area which surrounds the nipple. To do this he lies in the curve of his mother’s arm as she turns slightly to one side, and holds her breast away from his nostrils in order that he may breathe freely.
Sometimes, even when other conditions are favorable, the baby is unable to nurse because of some physical disability. He may be too feeble, may have a cleft palate or find suckling painful because of an injury to the mucous membrane which occurred when his mouth was wiped out just after birth. The manner in which the baby nurses, therefore, may be significant and should be described to the doctor if there is any difficulty.