the
child to eat, rapid eating, eating between meals, child selects his own
food and lives largely upon one article of diet; indulgence in sweets,
desserts, pies, etc. Improperly cooked foods especially oatmeal, and
vegetables and eating sour or stale fruits. Exclude articles of diet which
are known to be hard for children to digest.

How shall chronic indigestion be treated? Remove all causes such as bad
foods, habits, etc.

Is it curable? In most cases, but the rules for feeding must be carefully
followed for a long period. Medicine will not cure such cases unless the
proper food is given in a proper way. That is better than medicine.

[ALL ABOUT BABY 603]

How long must this proper feeding continue? For months, and with many
children for two or three years.

Is medicine of any use? It will relieve the symptoms, but the main thing
is proper feeding.

SLEEP.

Should a baby sleep with anyone? No, young infants have been smothered by
their mothers. It is also a frequent temptation to nursing at night, and
this is injurious to both mother and child.

How long does baby usually sleep at first? About nine-tenths of the time.

How should his bed be prepared? The mattress should be firm and soft, the
pillow, of hair and very thin; you should change his position so as not to
sleep always in the same position.

How many hours should baby sleep at six months? About two-thirds of the
time.

How long should the daily nap be continued? Until about four years old.

How shall I put baby to sleep? Darken the room and have quiet. The child's
hunger should be satisfied and make him generally comfortable and lay him
in the crib while still awake.

Can I rock him to sleep? No. It is a bad habit and, he will readily
acquire it. It will be hard to break, and besides it is useless and some
times an injurious one. The same may be said of sucking a rubber nipple or
pacifier, and all other devices to put baby to sleep.

What principal things disturb baby's sleep? Quiet, peaceful sleep is a
sign of perfect health, and disorders of sleep may be produced by almost
anything that is wrong with the child. Food and feeding cause disturbed
sleep. It may come from chronic indigestion due to improper food. In
bottle-fed babies it is often due to over-feeding. In those who nurse it
may be due to poor food and hunger. Feeding three or four times during the
night makes a restless baby. It may also be due to nervous causes such as
bad