Formulas for the Early Months from 7-per-cent Milk

Second Series

I. II. III. IV. V.

7-per-cent milk 2 oz. 3 oz. 4 oz. 5 oz. 6 oz.

Milk sugar 1 oz. 1 oz. 1 oz. 1 oz. 1 oz.

Lime-water 1 oz. 1 oz. 1 oz. 1 oz. 1 oz.

Boiled water 17 oz. 16 oz. 15 oz. 14 oz. 13 oz.

20 oz. 20 oz. 20 oz. 20 oz. 20 oz.

The approximate composition of these formulas expressed in percentages is as follows:

FORMULA. Fat. Sugar. Proteids.

I. 0.70 5.50 0.35

II. 1.00 6.00 0.50

III. 1.40 6.00 0.70

IV. 1.75 6.00 0.87

V. 2.00 6.50 1.00

How is one to decide whether to use the First or the Second Series of formulas?

With a large, strong child, having a good digestion one should use the First Series. With a smaller, less vigorous child, whose digestion is not so good, or with one who does not do well upon the First Series, the Second Series should be used.

Why is it necessary to make the food so weak at first?

Because the infant's stomach is intended to digest breast milk, not cow's milk; but if we begin with a very weak cow's milk the stomach can be gradually trained to digest it. If we began with a strong milk the digestion might be seriously upset.

How rapidly can the food be increased in strength from Formula I to II, from II to III, etc.?

No absolute rule can be given. Usually we begin with I on the second day; II on the fourth day; III at one week or ten days; but after that make the increase more slowly. A large infant with a strong digestion will bear a rather rapid increase and may be able to take V by the time it is three or four weeks old. A child with a feeble digestion must go much slower and may not reach V before it is three or four months old.

It is important with all children that the increase in the food be made very gradually. It may be best with many infants to increase the milk by only half an ounce in twenty ounces of food, instead of one ounce at a time as indicated in the tables. Thus from 3 ounces, the increase would be to 3½ ounces; from 4 ounces to 4½ ounces, etc. At least two or three days should be allowed between each increase in the strength of the food.

What general rule can be given for increasing the food?

To increase when the infant is not satisfied but is digesting well.

How does an infant show that he is not satisfied?

He drains the bottle eagerly and cries when it is taken away. He often forms the habit of sucking his fingers immediately after. He begins to fret half an hour or an hour before the next feeding is due.

In the series of formulas given in the table the quantities are mentioned for making only twenty ounces of food. How should it be prepared when more than this quantity is needed?

It is equally convenient to make up 25 ounces, 30 ounces, 35 ounces, or 40 ounces at a time.

To make—

25 ounces of any formula add one quarter more of each ingredient.
30 ounces of any formula add one half more of each ingredient.
35 ounces of any formula add three quarters more of each ingredient.
40 ounces of any formula add twice as much more of each ingredient.

Thus 25 ounces of Formula I would be obtained by using 2½ ounces of milk, 1¼ ounces of sugar and lime-water, 21¼ ounces of water; 30 ounces of the same would require 3 ounces milk, 1½ ounces lime-water and sugar, and 25½ ounces water; 35 ounces would require 3½ ounces milk, 1¾ ounces lime-water and sugar, and 29¾ ounces water. The amount of water need not be calculated in any case, but after measuring carefully the other ingredients enough water should be added to bring the total up to the amount required.

How great an increase in the quantity should be made at one time?

One may make up five ounces additional food; but the first two days only two or three ounces of the additional amount should be given; the next two days, four ounces; after two days more, the five ounces may be given.

The increase in the quantity given at a single feeding should not be more than a quarter of an ounce.