The Maori Mother and her Child (CONTINUED)

Te Ao Hou, April 1955, Page 62

The Maori Mother and her Child (CONTINUED) By KERITAPU Breast Feeding The best food for baby is his mother's milk, To nurse a baby successfully a mother should be in good health and receiving a well balanced diet as recommended for the expectant mother. Breast feeding has many advantages. It lessens the chance of disease and it is economical in time and money. The milk is present in the breast at the right temperature and usually in the right quantity. It is free from germs and contains all elements necessary for growth. Suckling by the mother is best and safest for the baby and the mother too. Nearly every mother can suckle her baby if she wants to, and if she is properly looked after before and after baby is born. The best bottle feeding is not as good. Baby should be put to the breast at 4-hourly intervals during the day, an eight hour interval being allowed at night between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Always hold baby up to expel wind. The idea held by many Maori mothers that their milk does not agree with the baby is usually quite wrong. Breast feeding is the natural and much the easiest way, and is the best for both mother and baby. No definite rule can be laid down as to the time every baby needs at the breast; 15–20 minutes is a fair average, but some get all they need in ten minutes. If baby is under 6lbs he should be fed every 3 hours and the time gradually extended to 4 hours. Too prolonged suckling is harmful, and gets baby into the bad habit of dawdling and sucking feebly, and dozing towards the end. Vigorous suckling should be encouraged. If necessary, the baby's hands and feet should be rubbed to promote activity. Extras for all Breast Fed Babies Fruit juice such as orange or grape fruit and rose hip syrup may be given baby from two weeks of age onwards. It should be diluted at first with an equal amount of boiled water. As baby gets older it can be given undiluted. From the first ½ teaspoon diluted with boiled water, by the time baby is six months' old he can take eight teaspoons of undiluted orange juice. Rose hip syrup is not tolerated well by some babies, so it should be given diluted with boiled water, commencing with a quarter teaspoon with twice as much water, and by the time baby is six months' old, two teaspoons with at least twice as much water.

Cod Liver Oil All breast fed babies should be given cod liver oil by the time they are a month old. Start by giving two or three drops and gradually work up to half a teaspoon twice daily. Watch and see if baby can take it before increasing the amount. Some babies vomit for a start, and if this continues tell your nurse. Cod liver oil can be given in a teaspoon, or the bottle if baby is bottle fed. The vitamin D in cod liver oil helps form good bones and teeth and prevents rickets, a deformity of the chest, pelvis, arms and legs. Do not feed baby during the night, as both mother and child need a good eight hours' rest. If baby cries attend to him at once, for he may need his wet napkin changed. Then give him a tablespoon of boiled water in a bottle. Do not, however, give him milk. If treated in this way he will soon give up waking during the night. It is important for the mother to avoid strong drink while baby is fed from the breast. Weaning A healthy mother should be able to nurse her baby for six months at least. Some carry on for nine months. There may be reasons why a mother has to wean her child before this time, for instance if she suffers from tuberculosis, cancer, past or present mental derangement, or chronic ill health. It is a good rule not to feed baby by bottle unless the doctor or nurse advises it. If the baby is premature or not doing well, if you find it difficult to feed him or think he is not getting enough nourishment, consult your nurse or doctor. Pregnancy may make weaning necessary, but if the mother is in good health and baby doing well, sudden weaning is not called for. The mother should consult her doctor if she suspects she is pregnant again. Preparation for Weaning The wise mother will get her infant accustomed to taking water and fruit juice from a bottle from the age of two or three weeks, so that if for any reason baby has to be weaned early, he will not refuse the bottle. Occasionally a baby who has never been introduced to a bottle will refuse to take it from his mother, because her presence is associated with feeding at the breast. In normal cases weaning should be done gradually at six to nine months. Many a mother has experienced trouble, so it is wise to consult the nurse and not to wean suddenly. It is better to keep on with both breast and bottle feeding and commence full bottle feeding