MOTHERCRAFT

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.

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