Milk diluents in case of Children

Milk diluents

Water is ordinarily used to dilute the milk in preparing the formulas. It is, however, sometimes desirable to use other diluents in place of all or part of the water in the formula. The principal ones are barley water or oatmeal water. Robinson's Prepared Barley, Quaker Oats, or the barley and oatmeal flour prepared by the Cereo Company, of Tappan, New York, may be used. They are prepared as follows :
 One tablespoonful of barley or oatmeal is added to a quart of water. This is allowed to cook slowly until only a pint remains. It is then strained and sufficient water added to it to make a quart. This is once more brought to the boiling point and allowed to cool quickly, when it is ready for use. Rice water may be prepared in the same way.
 It is sometimes desirable to dextrinize these gruels. This is accomplished by adding a teaspoonful of diastase (cereo). This causes the gruel to become thin and partially digested. It is useful in cases where the plain gruel causes colic.
 Whey : It is frequently necessary to use whey as a diluent. This is prepared by adding two teaspoonfuls of Fairchild's Essence of Pepsin to a pint of fresh milk which has been warmed (not over 100°). Stir gently and allow it to stand until firmly jellied. Beat with a fork until it is finely divided and strain off the whey (liquid part). The whey is then brought to the boiling point and cooled rapidly, when it is ready to use.

Salt
 All the food which the baby receives should contain a certain amount of common salt. This is to be dissolved in the water or whatever diluent is used for the formula. For a formula containing thirty-two ounces, not more than one quarter-teaspoonful should be used.