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Show BABY By Edna Mae Mcintosh Wouldn't you be incensed if someone inferred that your pride ind joy is only an average baby? Of course you would because you know he is a most unusual individual indi-vidual and that there was never nnother baby just like him. With this recognition of hei haby as a distinct individual, isn't it surprising that a mother can become be-come such a 'copy cat" in feeding him? The pattern set by other mothers of her acquaintance is too often her principal guide in this respect. Many people seem to measure the extent of an infant's development develop-ment in terms of how early he starts certain supplements to his diet. In an effort to "keep up with the Joneses," some mothers rush into extensive supplementary feeding feed-ing without the counsel of the baby's physician. Experience has shown that strained baby foods can be added with safety to the diets of most infants at comparatively early ages. In keeping with these observations, ob-servations, the medical profession has gradually lowered the starting age for most items. But the doctor maintains a wide flexibility in the recommendations he makes. He recognizes, for instance in-stance that one baby's stomach is larger than another's. Such a baby can take move food at less frequent intervals. The physician knows that some babies have more sensitive sensi-tive digestive systems than others and governs the introductory time for solid foods accordingly. He also knows when sufficient teeth are present for efficient chewing and is thus guided in starting the "chopped" and coarser textured foods. Be flattered and thankful, mother, that your baby is an individual and let his care and guidance be 'itom-made. |