OUR BABIES

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 291, 8 September 1928, Page 18

OUR BABIES

(By

“Hygeia.”)

Published under the auspices of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children (J. lunket Society). “It is wiser to put up a fence at the top of a precipice than to maintain an ambulance at the bottom. “THIS BUSINESS OF TWINS.” There is surely something very fascinating about two tiny people who look as alike as two peas,” and most of us have •> soft spot in our hearts for twins. Doubtless parents may feel somewhat appalled at first sight of two babies, but pride soon takes the place of misgiving, and, with good management, two healthy, normal babies make less work than one ailing or spoilt one. GOOD MANAGEMENT. This is naturally extra important with twins. It is surprising how much time and fatigue can be saved by establishing a routine and a brisk method of carrying it through. We have known numerous instances in which the mother nursed both babies and did all her own work—with entire success. Four-hourly feeding is. of course, an immense advantage, and a four-hourly programme should be adopted in the great majority of cases. The babies should not be allowed to "dawdle over meals. Ihe average strong-sucking baby gets sufficient food in 15 to 20 minutes, and often in much less time, especially in the early morning. FEEDING METHODS. The question of how to arrange the babies- feeding is of first importance. Is full breast feeding«of botli possible I 11 not, should one baby be breast fed and the other bottle fed ? If not, what is the best method ? AIMING AT THE IDEAL. Unquestionably both babies should be fully ■ Glcast fed if possible, and the majority of mothers can manage this, at least for several months, with the right advice and help from the beginning. It mav seem, in anticipation, a formidable task, but as a matter of fact complete breast feeding is infinitely the simplest and safest method, and a tremendous saving of worry, time, and money. When the demand is made upon her, Nature “rises to the occasion,” as it were, and if the mother is keen to do her part, and the babies are good suckers, she will In all probability have enough milk for both right through to weaning time But we must mention that It is up to the father to do his bit too. Extra household help should be provided if nt all possible, and, if it is not possible, many are the small ways in which ” lin " self” can help to ease the springs ana oil the wheels of the family coaeli. When both babies are being entire!) breast fed each should have brenst at each feeding. The same baby should go first throughout the day, taking alternate breasts. Occasionally we have known mothers who successfully fed both babies at once, one nt each breast; the position must be thoroughly comfortable, with the arms well supported. SECOND BEST.

Should the ideal prove' impossible of attainment., the mother not having quite enough milk, what should she do ? Every baby, strong or weak, needs his mother’s milk, and undoubtedly both babies should have as much of it as possible. „ , The best method, if the mother can manage the time for it, is as follows: Put one twin to, say. the right breast, and let him empty it (say 10 to 15 minutes at the breast); then make up any deficiency with humanised milk by boitle if necessary. The bottle should be all ready before starting to breast feed and hot water handy to warm it quickly. Now give the other baby the deft breast, followed by humanised milk again 11 necessary. There always tends to be most milk

in Hie early morning, and it is open unnecessary to complement at the first feed or two of the day, even when several ounces are required at the later leeds. COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING. It complementary feeding' is necessary, make every effort to get in touch witli a Plunket nurse regarding the best methods. The only way to avoid mistakes and to find out how much food to give by bottle is to "test weigh” the baby before and after every feeding for at least 2-1 hours. This the Plunket nurse can show you how to do. A short stay at one of the Plunket Mothercraft Homes is a great help in finding out just how to regulate the feedings. Indeed we would strongly advise the mother of twins to spend- a few days at a Mothercraft Home before site goes back to her ordinary home routine after, the babies come, just to get things established and to gain self-contidence in managing them. FOR THE BUSY MOTHER. If it is impossible for the mother to give the time to breast feed and complement both babies, as suggested above, quite good results can be obtained by giving each baby alternate breast and bottle feeds. With this regime, in order to give each twin a fair deal on four-hourly feedings, the babies should take turns, day and day about, to have three breast feeds one day and only two the next. The humanised milk should be properly graded in strength and quantity, according to the age of the babies. Breast milk is, however, a wonderful digestive of other foods, and the first method is preferable.

A SUGGESTED ROUTINE FOR TWINS. 6 n.m.: Change and feed Baby A (right breast). Put back to bed. 6.20: Change and feed Baby B (left breast).

Put back to bed. 6.45 to 9 a.m.: Both babies sleep or play in cots. Should not need attention other than changing if wake. 9 a.m.: Prepare for bathing and feeding. 9.15: Bath Baby B. Hold out, and put put him iu a cosy corner in his cot or otherwise tucked up, so that he can watch the subsequent proceedings. 9.35: Bath Baby A. Hold out, etc., then feed, giving the left breast. Tuck up comfortable in pram or cot to sleep (outside for preference). 10.15: Feed Baby B (right breast). Tuck up to sleep likewise. (If more convenient, bath and feed Baby A and put him to sleep. Then bath and feed Baby B.). , . . .. 2 pm.: Feed Baby A (right breast). 2.20: Feed Babv B (left breast). If the babies wake before 2 p.m. change them, and let them amuse themselves, kicking in the suu if possible. . , From 2.30 to 5, or thereabouts, is. except for a short sleep, the babies legitimate ‘‘mothering time.” when they may expect an outing ana some nursing and good kicking exercise. 6 p.m.: Feed Bay A (left breast). Then tuck up snugly and firmly in cot and settle him down for the night in a, quiet, well-ventilated, unlighted room. 6.25: Feed Baby B (right breast), and tuck him away for the night also. 940 p.m.: Feed Baby A (right breast). Change and tuck up again 10 p.m.: Feed Baby B (left breast). Change and tuck up again. If it fits in with household arrangements better to time the babies' feeds earlier or later than suggested above, well and good, so long as regularity is maintained.