The nursing infant

- Benson.A.R,

The nursing infant

 The Well Nourished Infant : A breast fed infant is well nourished if the skin is clear and rosy, if it sleeps well after nursing, is quiet and good natured while awake, if the bowel movements are normal, the gain in weight regular, and the flesh, especially in the region of the thighs, is firm and hard to the touch.
 The Poorly Nourished Infant : The poorly nourished infant is pale, the skin seems almost transparent; it suffers from colic and indigestion after feeding, and sleeps irregularly; the movements are abnormal in consistency and contain undigested food; the flesh is soft and flabby. If such a condition as this continues, it is necessary to add modified milk to the dietary, and in extreme cases to take the infant away from the breast entirely and feed artificially.
 Vomiting and Indigestion : Vomiting after nursing is sometimes caused by taking the milk too rapidly or taking too much. This form of vomiting occurs very soon after nursing and is remedied by shortening the duration of the feedings and interrupting them with occasional rests. The rapidity of the flow of the milk may be controlled by the mother by pinching the breast above the nipple with the thumb and forefinger while the infant is nursing. If the vomiting occurs some time after the feeding it is caused by indigestion, and it is wise to lengthen the intervals between the feedings. Vomiting may also be caused by moving the baby or playing with it immediately after nursing.
 Vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation are more or less dependent upon the mother's physical and mental condition, and treatment should be directed to the mother rather than to the infant. Irregularity in nursing also disturbs the quality of the milk and causes these symptoms.