What can be done?  Reduce the quantity, or do not let it nurse so long or so often.  If vomiting takes place a half hour after feeding, in sour swelling masses, it may be getting food too rich in cream, and then the time between nursings should be lengthened; or dilute the breast milk by giving one to two teaspoonfuls of plain boiled water, barley water, five or ten minutes before nursing; the mother should eat less hearty food, especially of meat.

If baby has frequent colic, what is the cause?  The milk has too much proteids.

What should be done?  Eat less meat, keep quiet, and happy, do not worry, etc.

[All about baby 569]

How many stools does a healthy baby have daily?  About two.

What color?  Yellow color and pasty consistence.

If a nursing baby has too many stools, what change should be made in the mother’s diet?  She should eat food that would cause costive bowels in her.

LOOSE STOOLS IN NURSING BABIES.

They are caused by the mother eating improper food.  If the stools are very yellow, foul, greasy or ropy the mother is eating food that produces too much fat (cream) in her milk.  If curds appear there is not enough fat, and too much of the proteids (skim milk).  When the stools are very green with much mucus in them, the food should be reduced.

If a nursing baby is constipated, what can be done?  More boiled water should be given between nursing.  The mother should take exercise at least two hours each day out of doors; her bowels should move every day, even if she must take a laxative.  She should take plenty of pure, rich milk, cocoa, oatmeal and cornmeal gruels, and some kind of tonic if she is weak.  Tea and coffee should not be used.  Ripe fruit (not tart), some green vegetables and a little meat can be eaten.  Starchy foods should be avoided.  Sometimes baby does not get enough nurse.  Then she should be fed and given plenty of pure water between meals.

If a nursing baby has frequent colic attacks, what should be done?  The food is probably too strong.  The mother should eat food that will produce less fat (cream) in her milk.  The baby can be nursed at longer periods for a time; or give an ounce of hot water just before nursing.  The mother should take plenty of exercise, enough sleep and have a free movement of her bowels, so as to keep well and free from nervousness.

WEANING.

When and how should this be done?  This may usually be begun at nine or ten months by substituting one feeding a day for one nursing.  Later two feedings, etc., until weaning is gradually accomplished.  Some advise one bottle feeding regularly each day much earlier, as before stated.

Give reasons for weaning earlier?  Some serious illness of the mother, pregnancy, but the main reasons usually are that the child is not thriving.