In nearly all cases the quantity of milk is lessened so that the infant is not satisfied and may gain less in weight or not at all. In many cases the quality of the milk is also affected to such a degree as to cause slight disturbances of digestion, such as restlessness, colic, and perhaps some derangement of the bowels. In a few, attacks of acute indigestion are excited.
Is regular menstruation a reason for stopping nursing?
Not invariably; as a rule both functions do not go on together. But if the child is gaining regularly in weight between the periods, nursing may be continued indefinitely, although it may be well to feed the infant wholly or in part during the first day or two that the mother is unwell.
What symptoms indicate that a nursing infant is well nourished?
The child has a good colour, sleeps for two or three hours after nursing, or, if awake, is quiet, good-natured, and apparently comfortable. It has normal movements of the bowels and gains steadily in weight.
What symptoms indicate that a child who is nursing is not properly nourished?
It does not gain and may even lose in weight. It no longer exhibits its usual energy and playfulness, but is either listless and indifferent or cross, fretful and irritable, and is apt to sleep poorly. It grows pale and anæmic and its tissues become soft and flabby. When the milk is scanty it will often nurse a long time at the breasts, sometimes three quarters of an hour, before stopping. At other times it may take the breast for a moment only, and then turn away in apparent disgust.
What should be done when such symptoms appear?
This depends upon the severity of the symptoms and how long they have lasted. If the child has made no gain for three or four weeks, or is losing weight, immediate weaning will probably be necessary; in any case, other food in addition to the breast milk should be given at once. One may begin by alternating the nursing and the bottle-feeding and increase the number of bottle-feedings as may be indicated by the results.
Is there any objection to a baby being partly nursed and partly fed?