The first essential is that it be done very gradually; abruptly
increasing the food usually causes a disturbance of digestion.

It is never wise to advance more rapidly in strengthening the food
than from one formula to the next one in any of the series given; with
many infants it is better to make the steps of increase only half as
great as those indicated (page 72).

_How rapidly should the food be increased in quantity?_

The increase should not be more than a quarter of an ounce in each
feeding; or from one and a half to two ounces in a day.

_When should the food be increased?_

In the early weeks an increase may be necessary every few days; in the
later months sometimes the same formula may be continued for two or
three months. It is, however, impossible to give a definite rule as to
time. One cannot say with any child that an increase is to be made
every week or every two weeks. A much better guide are the conditions
present.

The signs indicating that the food should be increased are, that the
infant is not satisfied, not gaining in weight, but is digesting well,
i.e., not vomiting, and having good stools. One should not increase
the food, however, so long as the child seems perfectly satisfied and
is gaining from four to six ounces a week, even though both the
quantity and the strength of the food are considerably below the
average; nor should the food be increased if the child is gaining from
eight to ten ounces a week, even if he seems somewhat hungry. The