OUR BABIES.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 46, 4 September 1924, Page 1

OUR BABIES.

FEEDING CHILDREN. Knowing how precise and definite are the food requirements during infancy, people not unnaturally suppose that a series of feeding-tables could be drawn up adapted to each succeeding year of a child’s life. Unfortunately the problem is much more complex and difficult than appears at first sight. Every normal baby of a given age and weight does best on almost exactly the same allowance of only one food—viz., mother’s milk, which varies very little in composition. At a month old an infant needs about a pint (20 ounces) of milk with a fuel value of 400 calories; at two months he needs 25 ounces, at four months 30 ounces, and at eight months 35 ounces, with a fuel value of 750 calories, or nearly double his requirement at a month.

AFTER THE FIRST TWO YEARS. No such simple and clear-cut indication can be given as to what is best for children after the first two years; and with each succeeding year the permissible or necessary variations from any specific dietary standard that could be laid down would become wider and wider on account of the great divergences in the lives led bj r children under different family conditions, and in diverse local circumstances and environments. In some families children have the very great advantage of spending their days in the open air and sunshine. Such children reap the benefit cf leading the active, joyous, natural lives needed for the perfect all-round growth and development of all the higher animals—and by none so

much as b3 r the young of man himself, whose first and greatest need is. to be reared as a "healthy animal.” Being in perfect bodily form, full of life, breathing deeply, and with their fires never banked except during sleep they naturally consume and need much more food and oxygen than the little unfortunates subjected to the artificial restrictions and temptations of our so-called civilisation. Nothing is worse for young chi 1 dreA than the combined effect of lack of outing and sunshine, restricted opportunities for outdoor play and games, the taking of sweets and "pieces” between meals, and, last but not least, being taken to "the pictures” when they ought to be revelling in the open air or in bed and asleep. Besides these considerations, affecting the amount of building material and fuel that the child needs ,or can deal with, we have always to bear In mind the diverse nature and quality of the foodstuffs and meals which can be supplied in different families—varying with locality, season, and the means and feeding habits of the parents.

Can definitely ascertained practical knowledge tscience) help the mother at all in this vitally important question "how to feed her children with a view to keeping them strong v and healthy and thereby ensuring them the best future prospects—physical, mental and moral”?

Fortunately we can now lay down several simple, very important, practical truths, and the parents who take these into account will not go far wrong in the feeding of the family. Two years ago the Department of Health issued a little book entitled "The Health of Children, with Special Reference to Food and Feeding.” A new edition came out quite recently. As this booklet deals in a simple way with the food requirements of children in general, we purpose giving our readers the benefit of the advice and information it contains.