They are only for healthy infants. Begin always with a weak formula,
especially with an infant previously nursed at the breast, with one just
weaned and with infants who have poor digestive powers, or whose digestive
powers are unknown. Should the first formula tried be too weak the food
can be strengthened every three or four days until the right formula is
found. If the food is made too strong at first an attack of indigestion is
liable to follow.
How shall I increase the strength of the food? This should be done very
gradually. Do not advance more than one formula in the given series. It is
frequently better to make the increase in half steps. Say when it is from
three to four, give three and one-half, and then four.
How rapidly can I increase the quantity of food? This should not be more
than one-fourth ounce in each feeding, one to one and one-half to two
ounces daily.
[ALL ABOUT BABY 585]
When should the amount of food be increased? An increase may be necessary
every few days in the early weeks, but the same formula is often continued
for two or three months during the later months.
What signs in the infant demand an increase? The infant is not satisfied,
does not gain in weight, but it has good digestion--that is, it does not
vomit and has good stools.
When should I not increase the food? So long as the child is satisfied,
gains four to six ounces weekly, even when the quantity and strength of
the food is considerably below the average.
Should you then increase the food if the child seems somewhat hungry, but
still gains from eight to ten ounces weekly? It is not always a safe rule
to be guided by the appetite.
How can I know whether to increase the strength or the quantity of the
food? In the early weeks it is well first to increase the strength, the
next time the quantity of the food, then the strength, then the quantity,
etc. The quantity chiefly should be increased after the fourth or fifth
month.
Should a slight stomach discomfort or disturbance follow after the food
has been strengthened, what shall I do? If the disturbance is marked and
continues and the infant does not seem able to accustom itself to the new
food, you should go back to the weaker one and the next increase should be
smaller.
Should I be worried if the gain in weight for the first few weeks of
artificial feeding is slight, or even no gain? Not as a rule; if the
infant loses no weight, sleeps well, is comfortable, does not suffer from
vomiting, nausea, colic, you can feel sure the baby is doing well and is
becoming used to his new food. As his appetite improves and his digestion
is stronger the food may be increased every few days. Then the weight will
soon increase.
Is constipation likely to occur from such a weak food? This is very often
seen owing to the fact of their being little residue in the bowels, so if
he has a daily stool, even if it is small and dry, it need not cause worry
as it soon passes away with the using of stronger food.
What circumstances indicate that the food should be reduced? When the
child becomes ill from any causes, or when there are any marked symptoms
of indigestion.
How can I reduce the food? If there is but a slight disturbance and the
daily food has been prepared, pour off one-third from each bottle just
before each feeding and replace this quantity of food with boiled water;
if the disturbance is more severe, immediately dilute the food at least
one-half and also reduce, at the same time the quantity given; for a
severe attack of indigestion, omit the regular food altogether and give
only boiled water until a doctor has been called.
How shall I return to the original formula after it has been reduced for a
disturbance of digestion? The increase must be very gradual after the
immediate reduction. After a severe attack of indigestion, the milk should
not be made more than one-fifth the original strength, and ten days or two
weeks should elapse before the original strength food is given and, as
stated, there should be a gradual slow increase.
[586 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]