If a baby cannot be fed by its own mother, the next best thing is the milk of some other animal. A study of the food needs (pages 407 to 412) will soon show why milk is practically an essential food for little children. The following simple formulas may be of service to mothers who are unable to nurse their own babies.

First Week

First day: 1 to 2 ounces of Water every 4 hours.

Second to fourth days: Mix 3 ounces of milk, 7 ounces of water, and 2 teaspoons of milk-sugar, and divide the mixture into seven feedings.

Fifth to seventh days: Mix 4 ounces of milk, 7 ounces of water, and 3 teaspoons of milk-sugar, and divide the mixture into seven feedings.

First Week To Third Month

Mix 5 ounces of milk, 9 to 11 ounces of water, and 3 tablespoons of milk-sugar, and divide the mixture into six or seven feedings. Gradually increase the amounts until at the end of the period the mixture contains about 16 ounces of milk, 14 to 18 ounces of water, and 4 1/2 tablespoons of milk-sugar.

Third Month To Sixth Month

Mix 16 ounces of milk, 14 to 18 ounces of water, and 4 1/2 tablespoons of milk-sugar, and divide the mixture into five or six feedings. Gradually increase the amounts until at the close of the period the mixture contains about 24 ounces of milk, 9 to 13 ounces of water, and 41/2 tablespoons of milk-sugar.

Sixth Month To Ninth Month

Mix 24 ounces of milk, 9 to 13 ounces of water, and 4^ tablespoons of milk-sugar. Divide this mixture into five feedings. Gradually increase the amounts until at the end of this period the mixture contains 30 ounces of milk, 8 ounces of water, and 3 tablespoons of milk-sugar. Cook 2 or 3 tablespoons of barley flour with the water used in the mixture.

Midway between the two morning feedings give 1 to 2 tablespoons of strained, diluted orange juice.

Ninth Month To Twelfth Month

Mix 30 ounces of milk, 6 to 8 ounces of barley gruel, and 3 tablespoons of milk-sugar. Divide this amount into five feedings. Give 1 to 2 tablespoons of strained orange or prune juice between the two morning feedings. Gradually increase the milk until at the close of the period the child is receiving a quart of milk and a pint of barley gruel. Increase the amount of orange juice to 3 tablespoons. Half of a soft-cooked egg may be fed at this time. A piece of stale or twice-baked bread may be given the child to chew.

The Part Milk Should Play In The Diet During Growth

Food For A Child 12 To 18 Months Old

Breakfast: 6 to 8 ounces of warm milk; 1 or 2 tablespoons of thoroughly cooked, strained cereal with top milk.

Mid-morning lunch: 6 to 8 ounces of warm milk; piece of twice-baked bread.

Dinner: 6 to 8 ounces of warm milk; thin piece of crisp toast or twice-baked bread; slightly cooked egg.

Mid-afternoon lunch: 2 or 3 tablespoons of orange juice or other mild fruit juice.

Supper: 6 to 8 ounces of milk; 1 or 2 tablespoons of thoroughly cooked, strained cereal with top milk.