OUR BABIES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20455, 7 November 1934, Page 7

OUR BABIES.

BY HYGEIA, Published under the auspices of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children (Plunket Society). “ It is wiser to put up a fence at the top of a precipice than to maintain an ambulance at the bottom.”

MEALS FOB THE TODDLEB. Last week we brought our baby up to the 15 months stage in the matter of food. Now to proceed: Between 15 and 18 months all that is required is gradual progress in amount and variety of food along- the same lines as before. Give only three meals a day, with a drink of milk and water or fruit juice on waking and drinks of water between meals. The milk mixture should consist of 20oz of milk scalded and diluted with soz of water. Set aside this pint of milk when the milkman comes, and see that so much is really used for baby. This amount includes that Used in puddings, sauces, etc., and on porridge. A little light fish well steamed or boiled may be given at this stage—say, once or twice a week at the middle-day meal. Give about a teaspoonful at first and later give up to about a level tablespoonful. Gnawing a Bone. A very little chicken, steamed or boiled, may also be given occasionallv if desired. The ideal way is to let baby have a bone with a little meat on it. The subsequent proceedings may not be in accordance with the accepted code of party manners—indeed they may be a little primitive—but how 7 good it would be for the child if some habits could be a little more primitive and a little less sophisticated. .Just watch baby gnawing a bone—how 7 it seems to bring every muscle of the jaws and cheeks into play; how it must develop and strengthen teeth and jaws and tongue; and how the healthy, heartv youngster enjoys this primitive exercise! Fortunately cheeks and hands are made of good material for washing Continue to give as much as possible of the day’s allowance of food in a form which requires chewing, and -see that it is chewed. If there is difficultv give the dry foods first before hunger loses its first edge. Especially avoid pappy food at tea time. At the same time beware of underfeeding if the child does not take hard foods well Gradually discontinue straining porridge altogether if not already done; ajso use a larger proportion of wholemeal instead of nil white bread as you find baby can take it without showing any signs of irritation. The same applies to oatcake. After taking his porp'hi Se K un ?. t , raine f l . thG child will probably be able to digest oatcake. Rut one needs to beware of setting up indiee«tion and diarrhcea by going too fa"? in this direction. I ' va ter or fruit drinks between meals 1 Increase the allowance and varietv of vegetables, includimr young root ‘ and j green vegetables of all sorts, onions, etc. oranges are safest anV'l)es? Pl ° S Most | other fruits should he gfe- e n only in

strict moderation. With this proviso and provided they are sound and fresh, any of the ordinary fruits may be allowed. If given in too great a quantity, or if not perfectly sound, fruit is liable to cause irritation, fermentation and diarrhoea. This applies specially to fruits with seeds—raspberries, strawberries, blackberries. Tomatoes are risky if there is any unsoundness. Bananas should be both ripe and sound, and if used at all should be thoroughly mashed with a fork to prevent bolting in lumps. Here are a few 7 alternative suggestions for meals suitable for children between IS months and tw 7 o years:— Suggested Meals. Early morning drink—Water or dilut ed fruit juice, 4oz to soz. Breakfast. 1. Porridge, unstrained, 10 to 12 tablespoonfuls: top milk or whole milk, 2oz to 3oz. Milk drink, soz to 6oz. Or, 2. Oatcake and butter or dry cereal food, with fruit juice or top milk. Toast or twice-baked bread and butter. Milk drink, soz to 6oz. Piece of raw Dinner. 1. Steamed fish, one dessertspoonful; white sauce (well cooked), one to two tablespoonfuls, or melted butter one teaspoonful. Potato, two to three tablespoonfuls, or cauliflower or other vegetable. Junket, two tablespoonfuls; baked or stewed apple or other fruit, one to two tablespoonfuls. Twicebaked bread, one to two fingers. Milk drink, 4oz to soz. Piece of raw apple. Or. 2. Vegetables, two or three kinds—say. spinach. French beans (or other greens in season), marrow, etc.: potato, baked or boiled in jacket. Butter, one teaspoonful. or meat gravy or sauce made with vegetable water and milk. Custard, one to two tablespoonfuls: st.ewcd fruit, one to two tablespoonfuls. Twice-baked bread, one to two fingers. Milk drink, 4oz to soz. Piece of raw 7 apple. Or. 3. Mutton broth, made with vegetables, 3oz to 4oz. Twice-baked bread, two to three fingers. Baked apple, semolina or brown rice pudding, two or three tablespoonfuls. Top milk, 2oz. Milk drink. 3oz to 4oz. Piece of raw apple. Or, 4. Poached egg with spinach. Baked apple and twice-baked bread. Milk drink, 3oz to 4oz. Piece of raw 7 apple. Note.—Tf the child has a good appetite and lakes all mixed foods well, it at d° t necessary to give milk to drink Tea. ‘ 1. Wholemeal bread and butter, with tomato or lettuce as sandwiches. Milk drink, soz to 6oz. Raw apple. Or, 2. Oatcake and butter. Bread and butter with a little marmite or honey. Milk drink, soz to 6oz. Raw apple. Or, 3. Coddled egg (when no meat, fish or egg has been given for dinner). Brown bread and butter or toast and butter. Milk drink, soz to 6oz. Rawapple.