n prohibit nursing? Not always; as a rule both
functions do not go together. If the child thrives, it can keep on
nursing, although it might be well to feed the infant, at least partly,
during the period.

[568 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

How can you determine that the baby is well nourished? Good color, sleep
for two hours after nursing, is quiet, good-natured and comfortable when
awake; has normal bowel movements, three stools daily and gains gradually
in weight.

How can you tell when a baby is poorly nourished? It neither gains nor
loses weight; it is listless, tired, indifferent, cross, fretful,
irritable and sleeps poorly. It looks pale, anemic, and it becomes soft
and flabby. If the milk is scanty, it nurses long; at other times it tries
the breast and turns away seemingly disgusted.

What should be done? This depends upon the conditions; should the child
gain nothing for three or four weeks or lose weight, immediate weaning may
be necessary; at least other food must be given in addition to the breast
food. Feeding may be alternated with the breast nursing.

How do the symptoms show when the mother's milk disagrees? The child, is
in constant discomfort; it sleeps little, is restless, cries much, gulps
up gas, passes it by the bowels, or it accumulates in the bowels causing
colic. There may be vomiting, but more often bowel trouble. The bowels may
be constipated but usually there is diarrhea--frequent, loose, green,
with mucus and gas.

What should you do in such a case? If the child does not gain or loses
weight and there is little chance of improvement in the mother's milk, the
child should be weaned immediately. If the child gains in weight, try a
little longer to improve the mother's milk.

Why do some babies nurse so often? The milk does not satisfy.

When the baby has thrush, should the mother take special care of the
breasts? Yes, they should be cleaned after every nursing.

How much does the baby's stomach hold at birth? Six to seven teaspoonfuls.

Is vomiting a healthy sign in infants? Frequent vomiting is not natural;
see if his bands are too tight; find out if he has been danced or handled
after nursing.

When is it harmful? When it is frequent. If it comes up directly after a
meal looking just as it was when taken, the child may be over-fed.

What can be done? Reduce the quantity, or do not let it nurse so long or
so often. If vomiting takes place a half hour after feeding, in sour
swelling masse