The Diet of Nursing Mothers.—A nursing mother should eat exactly the same diet as she has always been accustomed to before she became pregnant. If any article of diet disagrees with her she should give up that particular article. She should not experiment; simply adhere to what she knows agreed with her in the past. More, rather than less, should be taken, especially more liquids as they favor milk-making. It is sometimes advisable to drink an extra glass of milk in the mid-afternoon and before retiring. If milk disagrees, or is not liked, she may take clear soup or beef tea in place of it. In a general way milk in quantities not over one quart daily, eggs, meat, fish, poultry, cereals, green vegetables, and stewed fruit constitute a varied and ample dietary to select from.
Every nursing mother should have one daily movement of the bowels; she should get three or four hours' exercise in the open air every day; and she should nurse her child regularly.
The diet of the nursing mother during the period immediately after confinement is given elsewhere.
Alcohol, of all kinds, should be absolutely avoided during the entire period of nursing.
Drugs of every variety, or for any purpose, should never be taken unless by special permission of her physician.
Care of the Nipples.—As soon as the mother has had a good sleep after the confinement the nipples should be
washed with a saturated solution of boracic acid, and the child allowed to nurse. The milk does not come into the breast for two or three days, but the child should nurse every four hours during that time. There is secreted at this time a substance called colostrum. This is a laxative agent which nature intends the child should have as it tends to move the bowels and at the same time it appeases the hunger of the infant. It also accustoms the child to nursing and gradually prepares the nipples for the work ahead of them.
After each nursing the nipples should be carefully washed with the same solution and thoroughly dried.
Cracked Nipples.—Cracked nipples often result from lack of care and cleanliness. If they are not cared for as described above they are very apt during the first few days to crack. They should never be left moist. They should be washed and dried after every feeding. If the breasts are full enough to leak they should be covered with a pad of sterile absorbent gauze.
Nursing mothers should guard against cracked nipples, as they are exceedingly painful; frequently necessitating a discontinuance of nursing; and may produce abscess of the breast.