food as is proper is taken in the twenty-four hours. This habit is
most frequently seen in infants whose digestion is not quite normal;
because of the temporary relief from discomfort experienced by taking
food into the stomach, they often appear to be hungry the greater part
of the time, especially at night.

_What are the causes of overfeeding?_

The most common one is the habit of watching the weight too closely,
and the conviction on the part of the mother or nurse that because a
child is not so large nor gaining so rapidly as some other infant of
the same age, more food or stronger food should be given.

_What harm results from overfeeding?_

All food taken in excess of what a child can digest becomes a burden
to him. The food lies in the stomach or bowels undigested, ferments,
and causes wind and colic. When overfeeding is longer continued,
serious disturbances of digestion are soon produced. The infant is
restless, fretful, constantly uncomfortable, sleeps badly, and stops
gaining and may even lose in weight. Such symptoms may lead to the
mistaken conclusion that too little food is given, and it is
accordingly increased, when it should be diminished. One of the
results of long-continued overfeeding is dilatation or stretching of
the stomach.

_What should guide one as to the quantity of food to be given to any
infant??_

(1) The size of the infant's stomach at the different months; (2) the