A Republication of TIME WAS … 1904: Vivilore: The Pathway to Mental and Physical Perfection. The Twentieth Century Book for Every Woman

Secretions of the Milk

Some women appear to have milk before the babe is born or at its birth, but this is not the real milk, since it is devoid of the true milk globules, and is called colostrum. The true milk makes its appearance the third day after delivery of the child. As a general thing all the disturbances incident to the secretion of milk are less when the child is put to the breast as soon as possible after delivery. It serves to lessen hunger in the child and the danger of fever in the mother.

Never overload the child’s stomach. Better feed it too little than too much. Give the child water to drink daily.

Sore Nipples

If a woman during the latter months of pregnancy, were to adopt means to harden the nipples, sore nipples during nursing would not be so prevalent as they are now. A frequent cause of a sore nipple is a result of the babe having the thrush. It is folly to attempt to cure the nipples, without at the same time, curing the mouth of the infant.

Treatment:—A lotion made from 1/2 dram of golden seal ¹ and the same quantity of borax dissolved in two ounces of water. Place a piece of muslin over the finger and wash the nursling’s mouth every morning with the lotion when giving the daily bath. The same treatment will cure sore nipples. Instead of the water use vaseline 1/2 ounce, mix well and rub on the nipples night and morning.

When a Child Will Not Nurse

Some infants are so dainty and particular in their tastes that unless the nipples are quite free from any stale perspiration, they will not nurse; and who can blame them? Sponge the nipples with a little warm water and dry them with a soft napkin. If the child still will not nurse, sometimes smearing a little cream on the nipple will tempt him; if not, he may possibly be tongue-tied. As to this, the physician can easily determine, and if that is the trouble, a trifling, painless operation will relieve him.

Milk Fever

After a first confinement, the breasts are apt to be swollen, painful and distended for the first two or three days. They should be rubbed every four hours with pure olive oil; or with olive oil and eau de cologne, equal parts, the bottle to be shaken each time before using. If there is much fever accompanying this condition, it is sometimes necessary to use a breast-pump once or twice a day; these are obtainable at any druggist’s; but as a rule, the child itself is the best doctor in this respect. If the breasts are more than usually full and uncomfortable, however, add to the oil and cologne rubbing the application of young cabbage leaves. First cut the veins of the leaves smooth—level with the leaf. Take several leaves, enough to cover the entire breast; and renew them each time after rubbing with the oil and cologne. Let the patient refrain from drinking much fluid while this condition lasts; and when the secretion of milk is at its height, she should take, during the day, tincture of aconite, ² four drops in a full glass of water; dose, two teaspoonfuls every hour.

Glass Nipple Shields

These should be used for the child to nurse through whenever the nipples are small or retracted; where they are sore from having cracks or fissures upon them; or should be worn all the time when the mother is annoyed by having the milk flowing away constantly, making her wet and uncomfortable. In the first two difficulties here mentioned, many a mother has been enabled to nurse her babe who would otherwise have been obliged to wean it, or to have procured a wet nurse. Usually small or retracted nipples will soon be so improved by the wearing of the shield, that its use can thereafter be dispensed with.

Other Remedies for Retracted Nipples

One simple method of drawing out the nipple is to hold the bowl of a new clay pipe over it; and another person drawing by suction upon the stem, can by repeating the process a few times, permanently develop the nipple. Or, apply with a camel’s hair brush, or with the finger, a zone of collodion ³ an inch or two wide around the nipple, at the distance of half an inch. This has proved a very successful remedy. It is harmless, and can be applied often til the desired effect is produced.

Gathered Breast

Taking cold, from carelessness in not covering the breast while nursing, is a frequent cause of gathered breast. A sore nipple is another cause; as the mother dreads the pain occasioned by putting the infant to the sore side, and hence nurses him almost entirely from the other breast. The result is, the unused side becomes distended with milk, which condition being unrelieved leads to inflammation and gathering.

When the gathering is of the mild or superficial kind, it may be treated with warm poultices, and nursing may continue; but when severe, involving the secreting portions of the breast, the child must not be allowed to nurse from the affected side. Great care should be taken to avoid this condition. It is most apt to occur in the first month of a first confinement; but when neglected, it may recur in later confinements. The first symptom of severe gathered breast is a decided chill; the more severe the gathering, the longer the chill lasts. Sharp, lancinating pains accompany the shivering; the breast enlarges, becomes hot and painful, and the milk lessens or disappears; the patient is feverish and thirsty, cold one minute, hot the next, and feels as though cold water were circulating with the blood in her veins. Strength and appetite desert her, and she feels decidedly ill. If a physician is called at the very outset, he can often arrest the trouble; but if twelve hours elapse, it is so far advanced that the gathering cannot usually be prevented altogether.

When a woman has once had the severe form of gathered breast, she should not in later confinements attempt to nurse her infant unless she has the express permission of the doctor to do so, otherwise the condition will return.

A healthy woman with a well-developed breast and a good nipple rarely has a gathered breast; and if care is taken, especially during pregnancy and the first month after delivery, there is little danger of its occurrence. See “Diseases of Women.”

How Often to Nurse

It is important for both the child and the mother that the nursing be at stated times. During the first month, nurse the child about every hour and a half. As the child grows older, gradually increase the interval between; nursing him the second month every two hours; the third month every three hours; and thereafter until weaned, once in four hours should be the rule. It is surprising how soon the infant will become accustomed to regular hours of nursing, and expect it only at these times. It is a great mistake to give the breast every time a child cries, regardless of the cause. Hunger is not a chronic condition with infants; it comes only at intervals. Let the mother nurse the child early in the evening, then if she has thus accustomed him to regular hours, he will sleep through the entire evening and leave her free for the healthful recreation she should allow herself.

Dress and Diet for Nursing Mothers

Loose and comfortable clothing should be worn by a woman during the nursing period. If not in the habit of wearing flannel underwear, she ought at least to have the breast covered with flannel, and to wear a piece of soft linen over the nipples.

Her food should be nourishing, plain and simple. It affects the milk, and through the milk, the child’s health, materially whether the mother eats anything and everything, or regulates her food with care. Not only colic and other temporary disturbances, but skin diseases and many serious chronic ailments in children can be traced to improper food taken by the mother while nursing. The chapter on “Dishes for Invalids” contains several specific hints on foods and drinks best adapted to increase the flow of milk. Aside from these, the mother who lives on simple, nourishing food, will have the best and purest milk. Alcoholic stimulants are especially to be avoided. They are never beneficial to mother or child. The child may seem to thrive for a time, if these are taken, but in reality the seeds of disease and impurity are thus implanted in the blood, to appear later on; while the mother herself suffers from the reaction that follows the stimulation.

Exercise

It is of benefit for nursing mothers to go out for frequent walks or drives. Outdoor exercise is the best of milk producers; and next in importance comes the exercise of attending to ordinary household duties. Work is a fine medicine; real downright bustling occupation of body and mind is by far the best for the nursing mother, and for her child as well. Of course, I do not mean by this, work that overtaxes her strength; but let her keep busy. The home life is one full of happy, absorbing interest to every true wife and mother; and in order that she may enjoy her work, let her not forget that a reasonable degree of repose and diversion are equally essential.

When Not to Nurse

In returning from a walk, if the mother is heated or fatigued, she should not nurse her child at once; let her lie down for a few minutes first, even if Sir Baby is peremptory in his commands. This is important. And above all, let the mother remember never to nurse an infant when she is in a frightened, angry, or other disturbed condition of mind. Mental excitement affects the milk like deadly poison. Mothers have had sad proof of this fact. Some have nursed their infants when thus agitated, only to see them go instantly into convulsions of fatal termination. Keep the mind serene, and if in spite of your efforts to do so there are times when you are much disturbed, wait until calmness returns before placing the child to the breast. Under no circumstances is it safe to disregard this warning.

Nursing the child taxes the mother’s strength; overwork and worry of mind impoverishes the mother’s milk in quality and quantity. Her household duties, therefore, should not be her first thought; herself and her child are of much more importance. Ease and comfort insure restful sleep and good digestion to herself and child. Every member of the family should do all in his or her power to add to the mother’s comfort.