As has been well observed, "Nature never intended the
infant's stomach to be converted into a receptacle for laxatives,
carminatives, antacids, stimulants, and astringents; and when these
become necessary, we may rest assured that there is something faulty in
our management, however perfect it may seem to ourselves."
THE FREQUENCY OF GIVING FOOD.--This must be determined, as a general
rule, by allowing such an interval between each meal as will insure the
digestion of the previous quantity; and this may be fixed at about
every three or four hours. If this rule be departed from, and the child
receives a fresh supply of food every hour or so, time will not be
given for the digestion of the previous quantity, and as a consequence
of this process being interrupted, the food passing on into the bowel
undigested, will there ferment and become sour, will inevitably produce
cholic and purging, and in no way contribute to the nourishment of the
child.
THE POSTURE OF THE CHILD WHEN FED.--It is important to attend to this.
It must not receive its meals lying; the head should be raised on the
nurse's arm, the most natural position, and one in which there will be
no danger of the food going the wrong way, as it is called. After each
meal the little one should be put into its cot, or repose on its
mother's knee, for at least half an hour.
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