1 long-handled aluminum spoon.
1 fine wire mesh strainer, thirty holes to the inch.
1 dozen bottles, 5 ounce size if the child is small, and 10 ounce if the child takes large feedings.
The bottles should have wide mouths, straight sides, and round bottoms, which clean easily. Paper caps or corks that fit tightly should be used instead of cotton stoppers. Close rubber caps are best, for, as the milk cools, a vacuum is created, the rubber is drawn in and the milk remains air-tight until opened. If infants are kept on a milk diet alone for too long at a time, they do not thrive so well, hence as early as six months, other things may be given. At this stage, the most desirable additions to the food would be cereal, farina or cream of wheat, orange juice, vegetable broth, toast crumbs, etc. The administration of orange juice should be started when the child is only a few weeks old.
The quantity of all these foods may be increased as the child gets older, and by the end of a year the diet is broadened still further. Beside a quart of whole milk, it may have thickened soups, vegetables, such as cauliflower, spinach, carrots, creamed celery and a little baked potato. Fruits, orange juice, grape fruit juice, prune sauce, apple sauce and scraped apple may be given, but no bread. In place of bread, use toast, Huntley and Palmer wafers and biscuits, and soda or oatmeal crackers. Sweet desserts should be avoided, but flavored junket or simple custard is unobjectionable.
No meats are permitted until the child is eighteen months old, except, perhaps, a little crisp bacon, or a bone to suck.
None of these supplemental foods should be given between meals, but always at the feeding hour. The above list supplies a dietary so varied that no child will tire of it.
In reporting the condition of the infant to the physician, the following form may be used to advantage. It is a clear cut, concise summary of what he wishes to know.
Infant’s Daily Report
1. Food: Does baby take it all? Is he satisfied? 2. Bowel movements: How many in last 24 hours? What is the color? Are they hard, soft, or watery? Any odor? Any curds? Any slime? Any blood? Any colic? Much gas? 3. Does baby vomit? When? How much? 4. Does baby sleep well? Is he good natured? 5. Any fever? What is the weight?