SCHEME FOR FEEDING NORMAL INFANTS

(First Year)

Scheme based on Holt and Shaw’s “Save the Babies.” Pub. by Am. Med. Ass’n.

Whole Milk Method

TimeMilk OuncesWater OuncesSugarIntervals of FeedingNumber of Feedings
1st and 2d days 1 to 3 tbs. every 3-4 hours
3d and 4th days372 tsp.37
5th and 7th days483 tsp.37
8th day5101½ tbs.37
8th day to end of 3d monthIncrease ½ oz. every 4 daysIncrease ½ oz. every 8 daysIncrease ½ oz. every 2 weeks37-6
End of 3d month16164¼ tbs.36
Beginning of 4th month to end of 6th monthIncrease ½ oz. every 6 daysReduce ½ oz. every 2 weeks. (Cook barley in water if food disagrees)[76]446-5
End of 6th month2412445
Beginning of 7th month to end of 9th monthIncrease ½ oz. every week if food is well digested and child seems hungryReduce ½ oz. every 2 weeks445
End of 9th month3010 oz. (in which 3 tbs. of cereal is cooked)2 tbsp.45
Beginning of 10th month to end of 12th monthIncrease 1 oz. per monthCereal gruel as aboveReduce 1 tbs. per month4-55-4

At the beginning of 7th or 8th month, or earlier if necessary, it is advisable to add orange juice, giving from 1-2 tablespoonfuls between the two morning feedings.[77]

After the 4th month it is well to eliminate the night feeding between 10 P.M. and 6 A.M.

At end of 11th month add 1-2 pieces of stale bread, toast or zwieback. Part of soft-cooked egg may be given every other day at noon meal by end of 11th month. The orange juice may be increased to 3 tbs. if bowels are not loose.

The strained cereal should be given twice daily by the end of the first year, and the milk should be undiluted at this time unless the digestion of the infant forbids.

Cooled boiled water should be given several times each day between feedings. Babies cry from thirst as well as from hunger.