To state the underlying causes of infant mortality and defects is at the same time to emphasize their preventability and to indicate the method of prevention. The pathos is less in the high rate of death and illness than in their needlessness,—if only young women and young men were provided with even a meager preparation for this responsibility! The following are representative judgments expressed repeatedly by physicians everywhere.
“The problem of infant mortality is not one of sanitation alone or housing or indeed of poverty as such, but is mainly a question of motherhood.”
—Doctor G. Newman (English).
“The parents in their homes are largely responsible for the high infant mortality.”
—Doctor Ira S. Wile (American).
It is advisable to have the baby examined by the physician once a week during the first three months and at least once a month thereafter during the first year. If the daily régime is followed carefully, with judgment, the baby will probably gain normally in weight, be rosy and happy, free from any illness. The first year is the critical year, the time for every precaution both to prevent defects and promote vigor.
Table of Feeding, Sleep, and Weight[14]
| Average Weight of Baby in Pounds | Age of Baby | No. of Feedings | Ounces at Each Feeding | Total Ounces in 24 Hours | Intervals in Hours | Hours | Sleep |
| 7½ | Birth and 2d day | 4 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 22 hours | |
| 7 | 3d day | 6 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 6, 9, A.M., 12 noon; 3, 6, 10 P.M. | ” |
| 4th ” | 6 | 1½ | 9 | 3 | ” | ” | |
| 5th ” | 6 | 2 | 12 | 3 | ” | ” | |
| 7¼ | 7th ” | 6 | 2½ | 15 | 3 | ” | ” |
| 7½ | 10th ” | 6 | 3 | 18 | 3 | ” | ” |
| Begin 3d week | 6 | 3½ | 21 | 3 | ” | ” | |
| ” 4th ” | 6 | 4 | 24 | 3 | ” | 21 ” | |
| 8¾ | ” 2d month | 6 | 4¼ | 25½ | 3 | ” | 20 ” |
| 10½ | ” 3d ” | 6 | 4½ | 27 | 3 | ” | 19 ” |
| 14¼ | ” 4th ” | 6 | 5 | 30 | 3 | ” | 18 ” |
| 13¾ | ” 5th ” | 5 | 6½ | 32½ | 4 | 6, 10, A.M.; 2, 6, 10 P.M. | 16 ” |
| 15 | ” 6th ” | 5 | 7 | 35 | 4 | ” | ” |
| 16 | ” 7th ” | 5 | 7½ | 37½ | 4 | ” | ” |
| 16¾ | ” 8th ” | 5 | 8 | 40 | 4 | ” | 15 ” |
| 17½ | ” 9th ” | 5 | 8¼ | 41¼ | 4 | ” | ” |
| 18 | End 9th ” | 5 | 8½ | 42½ | 4 | ” | ” |
| 21 | ” 12th ” | 5 | 4 | ” | ” |