or a 3% sugar solution. The amount of milk should be
increased and the amount of dilution decreased until the undiluted
breast milk is given in four or five days. Like older babies, the next
best food for premature babies is the properly modified cow's milk,
but the utmost care will have to be observed, as these babies are more
easily upset than older and stronger ones.

~Premature Infant Feeding.~--The following method of feeding may be
suggested, keeping in mind that it is an easy matter to increase the
strength of a mixture if the baby shows the need of such an increase.
The premature baby is rarely strong enough to take the breast.

~Method of Administering Milk.~--The most satisfactory method of
administering the food in such cases is by means of the Brick feeder,
which consists of a graduated glass tube, open at either end. On the
small end is placed a small nipple like those seen on medicine
droppers; this one is perforated and goes into the mouth of the baby.
A large rubber finger cot is attached to the other end of the tube.
The milk is forced into the mouth by pressing the finger cot. In case
the infant is too feeble even for this method of feeding, the desired
amount is dropped into the mouth from a medicine dropper; 5 c.c.
(about 1 dram or 1 teaspoonful) of diluted milk being given at each
feeding. This amount is increased gradually from day to day.

~Whey Mixtures.~--Whey mixtures have been found to meet the needs of
premature infants more efficiently than ordinary mixtures. As the
proteins in whey are in a more digestible form, they throw less work
on the immature digestive apparatus. As a rule the casein and whey
are in proportion of 1:1.

The following formulas[81] show the amounts in which the food
constituents are combined and are suitable for premature babies:

Fat 1.00%
Milk sugar 4.00%
Total proteins 0.25%
Lime water 25% of cream and milk mixture

or

Fat 1.00%
Milk sugar 4.50%
Total proteins 0.50%
Lime water 25% of cream and milk mixture

PROPRIETARY FOODS

A word as to the use of Proprietary Infant Foods: These prepared foods
may be classified under four heads, as follows: (1) condensed milks;
(2) malted foods, those consisting chiefly of carbohydrates in the
form of maltose and dextrins; (3) those consisting almost entirely of
starch, and (4) those composed partly of soluble and partly of
insoluble carb