Some mothers, however anxiously they may wish to do so, cannot nurse their children. They are shut out from this charming and tender experience in the life of a woman. The milk that comes is not sufficient, and quickly disappears. Because of the influence of the mind of the mother over the child at her breast, to which we have before called attention, women who are very hysterical and nervous, subject to violent perturbations of the mind, should not, particularly if there be any family tendency to insanity, expose the child to the mischievous effects latent in their milk. So, also, the presence of certain diseases forbids wet-nursing. Thus it is ordinarily prohibited by consumption, scrofula, skin affections of long standing, and cancer. In consumption, all efforts to suckle are frequently equally fatal to the mother and child. Even a strong hereditary predisposition to this disease may render it advisable, in the opinion of the family physician,—who should always be consulted in such a case,—to counteract the family taint by giving the milk of the healthiest nurse that can be procured. The condition of the nipples and of the breast may not permit of nursing. We have pointed out how best to guard against such an occurrence, in treating of the care of the nipples during pregnancy.
She who is to be debarred from nursing her own child should take care that it is not allowed to approach her breasts, as sometimes the mental and physical excitement caused by such an approach is of an injurious and lasting character.
Ordinarily, if this direction be followed out, the mother will have little trouble in regard to herself. Under such circumstances, the chief danger is to the child. Hence the importance of knowing
HOW TO SELECT A WET-NURSE.
The choosing of a wet-nurse is a matter of great moment and responsibility. She should not be over thirty years of age, and should, if possible, be one who has previously suckled and had charge of children. Her own infant should be under the age of six months, for when above that age the milk sometimes disagrees with her new-born charge. One who has had several children should be preferred, because her milk is richer than after the first confinement.
The doctor should always examine carefully into the condition of the nurse's health, and into the quality and quantity of her milk. Various diseases and taints of the system are so hidden, while yet communicable to the child, that the knowledge and skill of a professional expert are required for their detection, and the protection of the nursling. In testing the quality of the milk, the experienced physician allows a little to rest on his finger nail, and by its examination readily decides as to its richness and fitness to nourish the little applicant for food. It is not necessary that the breasts should be large, as those of moderate size often furnish a sufficient amount of milk. But it is important that the nipples should be well developed. Those wet-nurses should be preferred in whom large blood-vessels are seen prominently passing in blue lines over the surface of the breasts. The possession of a vigorous, healthful infant is a good recommendation for a nurse, but care should be taken to ascertain that it is her own, as nurses have been known to borrow for such an occasion and so obtain credit not justly their due.
The moral and mental as well as physical characteristics should be considered. Temperance and cleanliness are indispensable in a wet-nurse, and the want of either should be an imperative reason for rejection. Equanimity of temper, cheerfulness, and an open, frank, affectionate disposition, are of course greatly to be desired.
If the nurse becomes 'unwell,' shall the child be taken from her? Should the monthly sickness reappear early, and both nurse and child be in good health, suckling may be continued. But when the return happens about the ninth or tenth month, the child should be weaned or the nurse changed. There is no physiological reason for preventing the nurse from living matrimonially; but if pregnancy occurs, the child should be taken from her.
The same rules that we have laid down for the mother for the care of her health while nursing, are of course applicable to the hired wet-nurse, and should be insisted upon and enforced.
Changing a nurse.—When it becomes necessary to change a nurse, for any of the reasons above mentioned, it may be done without injury to the child. For fear of the effect of the unwelcome tidings upon the mind of the nurse, and the possible influence upon the milk, she should not be informed of the projected change until a successor has been secured to take her place at once. In choosing the second nurse, the same precautions should be had as in the selection of the first.